LSU HAS NO. 1 DEFENSE After a stout performance in which LSU gave up only 183 total yards and held the SEC’s leading rusher Kenny Irons to 70 yards, LSU’s defense is ranked No. 1 in the nation in yards allowed. “If they continue to play how they’re playing, continue to improve and continue to listen to the coaching, this will be a very special defense,” Miles said. Throughout three games this season, LSU has yielded just 170 yards per contest and have yet to allow an opponent to gain more than 200 yards of offense. LSU is also No. 1 in pass efficiency defense with a 63.53 rating, No. 2 in pass defense giving up 96.67 yards per game and No. 3 in scoring defense, surrendering just 4.33 points per game. “Our young guys are meshing very well with the older guys, who are the leadership of the defense,” Miles said. The Tigers’ defense has held four consecutive opponents to less than 200 yards, dating back to the Peach Bowl win against Miami. Through 12 quarters this season, LSU’s defense has given up just one touchdown.
SKIP DISAGREES After Saturday’s loss to Auburn was marred with controversy regarding the officials, the Southeastern Conference said it checked the film and stood by the officials’ calls. LSU Athletics Director Skip Bertman said he still does not agree with the ruling. “The SEC Office has stood by the officials’ calls, and we respectfully but strongly disagree,” Bertman said in a news release. “We strive for excellence every day in LSU athletics, and we expect the same level of excellence from the officials that are assigned to us by the SEC.” There were a slew of questionable calls that went Auburn’s way. The most controversial was the pass interference flag against an Auburn defender that was picked up late in the fourth quarter. “There were obviously a number of calls by SEC officials in our game against Auburn that had a dramatic impact on the game,” Bertman said. “Coach [Les] Miles went through the proper procedure of addressing these calls with the SEC Office, and I appreciate the manner in which he has expressed his dissatisfaction with the officials’ decisions.” In the contest between Oklahoma and Oregon on Saturday, there was also a problem with officiating, which drew the ire of Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops. The complaint led the Pacific-10 Conference to suspend the officiating crew and the replay officials who worked the contest for one game.
DORSEY AWARDED For the second time in as many weeks, LSU junior defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey was named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Lineman of the Week. Dorsey led the Tigers’ defensive performance against Auburn with eight tackles, a quarterback hurry and three tackles for losses including two sacks. “I want to say congratulations to Glenn Dorsey,” Miles said of the honor. “He’s having a great start to a year, and we expect that he will continue.” For his performance in the first three games of the season in which he has recorded 17 tackles, six tackles for losses and two sacks, Dorsey prompted CBSportsline’s Dennis Dodd to say, “Based on Saturday, Glenn Dorsey should be named an All-American right now. End of discussion.” The league office also honored Auburn punter Kody Bliss, who was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance against LSU. Bliss punted six times for a 48.2 yard average, including two punts of more than 60 yards and four inside the LSU 20-yard line.
NOTES LSU is No. 10 in the Associated Press poll and No. 11 in the USA Today poll. It is the second highest ranked one-loss team behind Texas, who lost to No. 1 Ohio State on Sept. 9. Junior defensive back Jonathan Zenon missed most of Saturday’s game with a concussion but is expected to play Saturday against Tulane. “Zenon will be back,” Miles said. “He’s a little nicked up, but hopefully it won’t be anything long term.” Coach Miles also said Keith Zinger, who was inactive for his second straight game against Auburn, is expected to start against Tulane.
—–Contact Jeff Martin at jmartin@lsureveille.com