Redshirt freshman defensive end Sam Montgomery became a budding superstar for LSU’s defensive line through his first five starts this season.
 
The Greenwood, S.C., native was on pace for a special season, already securing 18 tackles, two sacks and six tackles for loss.
 
But Montgomery tore ligaments in his right knee against Tennessee when Volunteers junior running back Tauren Poole blocked the approaching pass rusher, ending his promising season.
 
Montgomery’s menacing presence has been missing since the Tennessee game Oct. 2, and the defensive line has been forced to adjust without a solid starter holding down the right side of the line.
 
“Certainly when you lose a starter, it’s a difficult piece [to replace],” LSU coach Les Miles said. “We feel like we would be a little better with Sam here.”
 
LSU’s stout defensive numbers have slipped since losing the 6-foot-4-inch, 245-pound defensive end.
 
The Tigers’ sacks and tackles for loss numbers have decreased, and opposing teams have increased their rushing yards against LSU since Montgomery’s injury.
 
The defense only recorded three tackles for loss against McNeese State and two against Auburn, the lowest totals of the season.
 
“[Montgomery’s injury] has taken away from our blitzing game a little bit,” said junior safety Brandon Taylor. “It takes a piece out of our blitzing schemes.”
 
McNeese State ran through the Tigers’ defensive line without its emerging star, rushing for 101 yards, and Auburn junior quarterback Cam Newton helped his team crush LSU’s front four for 440 yards on the ground.
 
Sophomore defensive end Chancey Aghayere replaced Montgomery on the right side for two games, while redshirt freshman defensive end Barkevious Mingo got the start against Auburn. Sophomore defensive end Lavar Edwards also has seen an increased role.
 
Junior defensive end Ken Adams has remained in his starting spot on the left side.
 
“We’ve had to play a bigger body in there,” Taylor said. “It’s not the same speed that Sam brings around the edge.”
 
Brockers said the performance of Edwards, who has two starts and 1.5 sacks on the season, is key to bringing the line back to earlier-season form.
 
“He knows the game,” Brockers said. “We expect him to come in and be good for us and take the place of Sam Montgomery.”
 
The defensive line almost took another hit when senior     defensive tackle Lazarius Levingston, who has started every game next to senior defensive tackle Drake Nevis, suffered a foot injury against Auburn, but the verdict seems positive.
 
“All I know is it’s improved, and we expect him to practice this week,” Miles said.
 
The challenge doesn’t get any easier with Alabama’s two-headed monster in the backfield and a top quarterback under center coming into Tiger Stadium this weekend.
 
Junior running back Mark Ingram and sophomore running back Trent Richardson lead the Southeastern Conference’s fourth-best run attack, averaging 186.9 yards on the ground per game.
 
The defensive line also has the challenge of getting pressure of Alabama senior quarterback Greg McElroy.
 
“The thing that has to happen to get pressure on McElroy is to get him into predictable passing situations and then be able to get up the field,” Miles said. “Our guys rush the passer well.”
 
Miles said the pressure may be tuned down against the Crimson Tide.
 
“We would like not to call too much blitz, but it really kind of depends on how the game is going and what’s needed to get pressure on that passer,” Miles said.
 
Taylor said Montgomery is already gearing up for next year’s campaign.
 
“He’s been in the training room talking about how he’s going to come back next year harder and faster,” Taylor said. “I can’t wait to see that.”
 
 
 
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Contact Michael Lambert at [email protected]