“This is not the same team as last year” is the No. 13 LSU football team’s mantra a year after its worst Southeastern Conference loss during Les Miles’ tenure.
While this line of coach-speak usually holds no weight, the LSU Tigers (1-0, 1-0 SEC) have a point heading into their home opener against Auburn with a talent-laden, experienced lineup determined to make a statement.
“It’s going to be serious, especially from a lot of people holding it in from last year,” said sophomore running back Leonard Fournette. “Any time you play an SEC opponent, everything is a statement.”
In 2014, Auburn dominated LSU from the first snap, shredding its defense for 566 total yards of offense while holding LSU to only an average of 4.7 yards per play.
LSU’s offensive struggles stemmed from its inability to establish any rhythm, tallying seven three-and-outs.
Then-freshman quarterback Brandon Harris couldn’t adjust to pressure around the pocket during his first start and was benched in favor of then-sophomore Anthony Jennings in the third quarter after completing only 3-of-14 passes.
Although he broke the LSU freshman rushing record last season, Fournette totaled 42 yards on a team-high 10 carries against Auburn.
No matter how he cut or what spin he tried, Fournette was caught a step short before breaking open a run. His longest run of the night went for just 10 yards.
Despite posting disappointing performances against Auburn in 2014, Harris and Fournette spearhead a dynamic offense primed to continue the explosiveness it showed at times against Mississippi State in 2015.
From junior wide receiver Travin Dural’s 89-yard jet sweep touchdown run nullified by penalty to Fournette cruising to a 26-yard touchdown along the sideline, the cast surrounding Harris is filled with playmakers.
In his second career start, Harris’ improved accuracy and his decision-making shined as he notched a 106.9 quarterback rating after completing 9-of-14 passes for 71 yards against the Bulldogs.
A key to Harris’ development has been his growing ability to read defenses and pick the best option. Harris spread the ball around to five different receivers in LSU’s season opener, including junior tight end DeSean Smith.
Along with his presence inside the pocket, Harris’ ability to make plays with his feet created opportunities for the rest of the offense by moving the chains.
“It opens up the offense tremendously,” Fournette said. “He’s a dual-threat quarterback. He can pass it and run it. He’s helping us out tremendously. ”
Despite coming off a career-high 28 touches for 159 yards against the Bulldogs, Fournette said he wants to improve reading the defense and following his blockers.
Fournette and company will look to take advantage of an Auburn defense, which has allowed 199.5 rushing yards per game and four touchdowns on the ground through two games.
“Offensive linemen love when their running backs succeed,” said senior offensive tackle Vadal Alexander. “We love running the football. That’s what we love to do — run, block. When they succeed, that’s our way of [knowing] we did good. We did the right thing.”
In LSU’s 34-point loss to the other Tigers in 2014, LSU’s
defensive line didn’t establish a consistent push in the trenches to disrupt running lanes or pressure the quarterback, recording only two tackles for loss and one sack.
Throughout 2014, LSU’s defense struggled to create pressure against dual-threat and mobile quarterbacks. Former Auburn dual-threat quarterback Nick Marshall ran wild with 326 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns.
Against Mississippi State last week, LSU’s defensive line took control of the line of scrimmage, combining for four tackles for loss, three sacks and six quarterback hurries.
After accounting for 105 rushing yards in 2014, senior Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott was held to -19 yards on the ground while he picked apart LSU’s secondary for 335 passing yards this season.
LSU’s defensive focus switches from the front seven toward the secondary with Auburn’s pass heavy offense, highlighted by junior pro-style quarterback Jeremy Johnson.
“We did a great job of stopping the run,” said junior cornerback Tre’Davious White. “We want to limit the big plays. They had a couple big plays, and we want to limit that. Watching film those are definitely things we can fix.”