LSU sophomore offensive lineman La’el Collins takes it personally.
Each time he sees quarterback Zach Mettenberger on the ground after a sack, he sees failure.
“You have to take it personal, or else you wouldn’t care,” Collins said. “We’re like anybody that takes pride in a job. It’s our duty to keep guys out.”
For Collins and a volatile LSU line this fall, handling injuries and position changes have taken a toll as the Tigers tinker with different lineups.
The unit has struggled in pass protection, surrendering 11 sacks and often leaving the rigid Mettenberger scrambling from the rush.
When starting junior left tackle Chris Faulk suffered a season-ending knee injury during the North Texas game, it was largely assumed LSU wouldn’t miss a beat.
After all, senior lineman Josh Dworaczyk went down before last season, and the Tigers averaged the second-most points in school history while notoriously wearing down opponents in the second half.
But Faulk’s injury — along with nagging ailments to Dworaczyk and senior center P.J. Lonergan — has strained LSU’s depth along the line.
The loss forced Dworaczyk, who has traditionally played left guard, to left tackle, where a strained calf has left him vulnerable to speed rushes off the edge.
“I’m probably the weak link on our entire offense right now,” Dworaczyk said last week.
The coaching staff held Dworaczyk out of the Towson game to heal the calf issue and tried out a new look on the line.
Senior right tackle Alex Hurst swapped sides, taking over Dworaczyk’s spot on the left edge against the Tigers. Freshman Vadal Alexander filled Hurst’s void on the right.
The results of the experiment were mixed, as LSU allowed four sacks and tallied a season-low 158 rushing yards against the visiting Tigers.
LSU coach Les Miles said he was still comfortable with the changes.
“I like the lineup that we played last week,” he said. “Those guys are getting more comfortable game in and game out.”
Dworaczyk emphasized he would “for sure play” against Florida, while Miles said an official decision would be made late in the week.
At center, Lonergan is an entrenched three-year contributor, but a persistent leg issue has limited his snaps in several games and forced backup sophomore Elliott Porter to start against Idaho.
Lonergan also missed a series against Auburn after aggravating the injury, and LSU fumbled inside the 2-yard line later in the drive because of a miscommunication between Porter and Mettenberger on a snap.
“It’s frustrating sometimes if you’re not out there for everything, but you’re always preparing like you’re up,” Lonergan said. “There’s been issues with getting used to how the guy next to you blocks, but we’re not uncomfortable with each other.”
On the right side, right guard Josh Williford has recorded a team-high 25 knockdowns, spurring an LSU rushing attack averaging 229.6 yards per game and cementing him next to Lonergan.
Hurst’s status is less certain, with the possibility of significant snaps on the left side still in play.
Collins, who several linemen cited as the MVP of the Auburn game, said the uncertainty will ultimately help LSU but has required adjustments in the meantime.
“These guys are going to be more versatile because of the moving around, but it takes time,” Collins said. “Between Elliott and a few young guys getting a chance, and Josh knowing different spots, it only makes them more valuable going forward.”
With an October gauntlet that includes the Southeastern Conference’s top two sack squads — South Carolina and Texas A&M — and the league’s fourth-best total defense in Florida, the linemen said their adjustment period is long gone.
“Teams at this point are going to blitz us, and I probably would do the same thing in their shoes,” Dworaczyk said. “We know our flaws since we grade ourselves in film all the time. You have to take it personal and elevate your game with great SEC players across from you.”
