LSU’s football season started over on Saturday, players said.
Hoisting the College Football Playoff trophy at the end of the season was in the Tigers’ sights, but two losses in September by a combined seven points knocked a dent into those dreams.
The win against Missouri is just the start of a new beginning for LSU (3-2, 2-1 Southeastern Conference).
“It’s a good momentum builder,” said junior quarterback Danny Etling about LSU’s 42-7 win versus Missouri. “We’re trying not to say that this season is lost on us.”
The reset for LSU began with the firing of former coach Les Miles.
Enter interim coach Ed Orgeron, whose high-energy and refreshed practice schedule has brought new life to LSU’s football operations building and given the team a different, affirming perspective.
For the team, playing for Orgeron wasn’t unfamiliar. Orgeron was brought in by Miles to be LSU’s defensive line coach two seasons ago.
“It’s not like we were playing for … [someone] we didn’t know,” said junior wide receiver D.J. Chark. “We know Coach O. We didn’t want to let [him] down.”
Orgeron isn’t letting LSU give up on this season.
The change in practice schedule provided LSU with better preparation for Missouri.
“There was a huge difference this week in practice,” said senior tight end Colin Jeter. “We showed that tonight. If he can change the whole team’s demeanor and get everyone ready, you can accomplish a lot in the game.”
Orgeron’s method implements a new theme for each practice.
“Monday’s about telling the truth, Tuesday is ‘Competition Tuesday,’” Orgeron said. “Wednesday is ‘Turnover Wednesday.’ Thursday is ‘No Repeat Thursday’ and Friday is ‘Focus Friday.’”
The players have bought into Orgeron’s mentality and wiped away the season-opening loss to Wisconsin and last-second defeat by Auburn.
What’s been more encouraging for the players is Orgeron’s sense of team togetherness. “One team, one heartbeat,” the coach says.
To junior fullback J.D. Moore, the 55-year-old coach practices what he preaches.
“The fact that he’s saying and emphasizing unity, but then the way that he acts in his persona is very unifying,” Moore said. “I knew he was a loud, passionate, vociferous kind of guy. He had command in the room and really set the tone for the rest of the week.”
Orgeron’s new regime provided positive results six days after Miles was fired. The Tigers’ new “scheme” and “offense” posted 634 yards, which was a record for total offense in an SEC game.
The 35-point romping of Missouri was to put the rest of the SEC on notice, to show the Tigers aren’t done yet.
“With us scoring 42 points, the most all year, it is a statement,” said junior wide receiver Malachi Dupre. “It’s an eye-opener. A lot of people will respect us, and it’s well-deserved respect.”
Orgeron, a Louisiana native, is relishing in the opportunity to call himself the head coach of LSU.
“We’re going to enjoy it,” Orgeron said about LSU’s win. “It’s a tremendous honor to be the head coach at LSU.”