When Virginia Tech quarterback Sean Glennon admitted to the media before Saturday’s game that he was worried about how his offense would react to the crowd in Tiger Stadium, fans might have had the feeling that it would be a long night for the Hokies.
Looking confused and intimidated on nearly every offensive possession, the preseason Atlantic Coast Conference favorites took an early blow to their national championship aspirations with a 48-7 loss to No. 2 LSU.
The Hokie junior struggled, completing just two of 10 passes for 16 yards and one interception before he was replaced in the second quarter by freshman Tyrod Taylor.
LSU’s offense, led by senior Matt Flynn, amassed 598 yards of total offense against a Virginia Tech defense that was considered by many – before Saturday’s game – to be one of the best in the country.
Against Mississippi State on opening night, LSU allowed only 146 yards of total offense. The Tigers’ defense bolstered its reputation Saturday, holding Virginia Tech to 149 yards of total offense, which brought up their average yards allowed per game to 147.5.
The Florida Gators have allowed 270 yards per contest in their two games against Western Kentucky and Troy. Southern Cal, predicted by many to have a very stout defense, allowed 253 yards of offense to Idaho.
Through two weeks of play, LSU has the third ranked scoring defense in the country.
Defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, who racked up six tackles against the Hokies, said he was pleased with the defense’s performance. He also said he was disappointed the Tigers allowed Virginia Tech to score.
“When you get down by your own end zone, you want to defend it,” Dorsey said. “We don’t want to give up any points.”
The Tigers have allowed just seven points through eight quarters of football thus far this season.
LSU coach Les Miles said he is happy with what he’s seeing.
“[The defense] is nice to watch,” he said. “There is a great confidence in that phase of the game and I’m sure it will continue.”
Dorsey attributed most of the defense’s success to the preparation of the coaching staff.
“Coach Pelini and the whole defensive staff have a great game plan,” Dorsey said. “It wasn’t hard sometimes because he puts me in the right position to make the play.”
Senior safety Craig Steltz, who leads the country with four interceptions, continued his domination at the safety position Saturday with an interception, a sack and four tackles.
Dorsey said he has been extremely impressed with the play of the New Orleans native – so much that he has honored him with a special nickname.
“I call him the ‘War Daddy,'” Dorsey said. “Day in and day out you can always depend on Steltz to hit somebody hard or catch an interception. He brings a lot of enthusiasm to the game.”
For Virginia Tech’s defense, a squad that has been ranked as the best in the country the past two seasons, the road was slightly rockier. In the Hokie’s season opener against East Carolina, they allowed just seven points. Against the Tigers it was a different story.
LSU converted 9 of 15 third downs for a 60 percent conversion rate – almost 20 percent higher than East Carolina’s 41 percent the previous week. LSU ranks No. 22 in the country with a third down completion percentage of 51.7 percent for the season.
Sophomore running back Keiland Williams led the team in rushing yards with 127 yards. He said Tech’s defense is not overrated.
“We had a great game plan scripted, we came out and everyone executed,” Williams said. “We were turning on all cylinders.”
In the event that the offense might struggle gaining yards, Williams said he is confident that the defense will pick up the slack.
“If we’re in a situation where we are in our red zone and we go for it and don’t make it, we know they have our back,” Williams said. “We’ll have a great opportunity to get the ball back. They bring so much intensity to the team.”
—-Contact James Rees at [email protected]