Many people were excited to see what offensive coordinator Matt Canada could bring to LSU when he was hired in the off season, but Canada’s offense came up short in a 24-21 loss to Troy.
After a tight game against Syracuse, coach Ed Orgeron said they planned to “simplify” the offense. The change did not make much difference, with four turnovers and a 50 percent red zone conversion rate.
“Back to the drawing board,” Orgeron said. “I think that we tried less motions and shifts so we could have less penalties and more execution and it didn’t work. We tried a new quarterback, it didn’t work. We’re going to have to do a better job of coaching.”
LSU wanted to start fast this week, but they did exactly the opposite of that.
The Tigers were doomed from the very first play of the game, when junior running back Nick Brossette fumbled at LSU’s own 30-yard line.
The Trojans recovered the fumble and went on to score a touchdown less than two minutes into the game.
“I wish I could have that first play back,” Orgeron said. “I wanted Darrel [Williams] on the ball. I should have done a better job of game-planning. I think that’s not the way we ought to start the game.”
Senior quarterback Danny Etling asserted the importance of ball security.
“We practice ball security all the time and unfortunately that was one of the stories of the night,” Etling said. “Turning the ball over in crucial situations where we had something going and all of a sudden a turnover puts our defense in a bad spot.”
It didn’t get much better from there. LSU was shut out in the first half, with just 158 yards of total offense.
Etling was taken down by a big hit at the end of the second quarter, opening the field for freshman Myles Brennan.
Brennan came in the third quarter and gave some life to the Tigers. He went 4-for-7 and 68 yards before a momentum stopping interception.
“He [Etling] could’ve went back in the third quarter but we wanted to give Myles a shot,” Orgeron said. “We needed a boost and he made some big plays. Obviously the interception at the end was critical so we put Danny back in.”
LSU began to find it’s groove in the second half, but that still didn’t prove to be enough. Even with 21 points after halftime, the offense left a lot to be desired.
“Just the loss of momentum once we crossed the 50-yard line,” Moreau. “You know, we have to be more efficient and effective on first down when we get across the 50, across the 40. Starting on the 35 and getting second and nine on the 34, that puts our coordinator in a tight spot.”
LSU struggled especially on third down, going 0-for-8. Orgeron described it as an “overall breakdown,” missed missed reads and a lack of protection.
“On third down they brought pressure,” Moreau said. “They’re kind of protecting a bunch of inside routes. We eventually figured to go more flats, go more corner routes.”
Orgeron said that the team hasn’t progressed as he thought they would at this point in the season, but he still expects them to fight through it.
Despite a struggle on both sides of the ball through the first five games, the Tigers’ are optimistic going forward.
“I know my players, I know this offense, I know this defense, I know this coaching staff, I know this leadership and I know that we can bounce back,” Moreau said. “I know these next six or seven games, eight games, I think they’re going to see something special.”
