While sophomore running back Leonard Fournette turned LSU’s 45-21 win against Auburn into a personal highlight reel, the Tigers’ defense put the rest of the country on notice: The swagger is back.
Under the leadership of first-year defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, the energy and fire missing from LSU’s defense in 2014 returned in full force during the first two Southeastern Conference games this season.
Senior linebacker Deion Jones said the team’s turnaround is simple.
“From last year to this year, we play with a little more intensity,” Jones said.
After allowing a combined 1,136 yards in total offense in LSU’s losses against Mississippi State and Auburn last season, the Tigers’ defense dominated both in 2015 with shutdown coverage in the secondary.
Against Auburn, the LSU secondary’s physical approach disrupted Auburn junior pro-style quarterback Jeremy Johnson’s timing and passing lanes, holding him to only 36 passing yards in the first half.
The success of Steele’s mostly man-to-man scheme stems from talent in the Tigers’ secondary, fueled by the chemistry between three-year starting cornerback Tre’Davious White and freshman cornerback Kevin Toliver II out wide with sophomore safety Jamal Adams and junior safety Rickey Jefferson covering them deep.
For White, Adams’ and Jefferson’s abilities to effectively communicate coverages inspires complete confidence.
“If you take chances, they’re going to have you over the top,” White said. “Those guys do a great job at communicating. That’s the biggest deal with defensive backs is communication, and those guys do a great job at that, so that makes the game that much easier.”
After replacing injured senior safety Jalen Mills during fall camp, Jefferson stepped into Mills’ role and learned to work seamlessly alongside Adams, despite what he called the “different fire” that each brings.
Coming into the season, the success of White, Adams and Jefferson could have been predicted. For many outside the LSU program, Toliver’s rise to a starter as a freshman is striking, but for Toliver’s teammates, his early success reflects his veteran approach to the game.
“It’s a testament of the way he became a student of the game and the way he’s learned the game,” White said. “Starting with last week, he had a great game. He played like a veteran. [Against Auburn], he had a great game, too. In pass coverage, he made it tough for them to pass it in any direction. Going forward, he has no way to go, but up.”
Against Auburn, the Tigers’ chemistry in the secondary can be summed up in a single play — Adams’ interception in the second quarter.
On second-and-15, Johnson dropped back from the shotgun and lobbed a pass downfield to senior wide receiver D’haquille Williams.
Recognizing the personnel, Adams faked toward the middle before drifting toward the sideline to help Toliver in coverage.
“I wanted to bait [Johnson],” Adams said. “I saw what personnel they were in, and I knew they were going to try to get the ball to [Williams]. So I showed going to the middle, but I definitely rolled back over and helped Toliver and made an huge play.”
Through the first two games, the Tigers’ secondary recorded eight pass breakups and an interception.
Although LSU’s early dominance brings to mind the success of the famous 2011 secondary, the Tigers are determined to continue improving.
“[We’re] not that good yet,” Adams said. “We have a lot of work to do. We’re not going to get complacent. We’re going to put our nose down and just keep working.”