LSU put on quite the show in front of 102,000-strong fans in Tiger Stadium on Saturday night.
Under the helm of interim coach Ed Orgeron, LSU defeated the Missouri 42-7.
Although changes on offense were expected, defensive coordinator Dave Aranda did not change his philosophy.
“Nothing changed,” said LSU defensive tackle Davon Godchaux. “We wanted to keep playing coach Aranda and Orgeron style football.
“Our game plan going in was to gang tackle the ball carrier and maintain a good pass rush,” he added.
The LSU secondary gave Missouri quarterback Drew Lock fits all night as Lock and Missouri — the SEC’s leader in total passing offense prior to Saturday — struggled with consistency, completing 17 passes for 167 yards on 37 attempts.
Lock found LSU senior Tre’Davious White on one of those attempts in what would be Lock’s sole interception of the night.
LSU’s secondary forced a total of seven pass breakups by the end of Saturday’s 35-point victory.
“I think we had great game plan, we played man coverage, we played tight coverage,” Orgeron said. “White is an excellent team player and we love him to death.”
Missouri’s offense was averaging 33 points per game, which ranked 45th in the nation.
Out of Missouri’s 12 offensive drives, they scored only once — with 6:11 left in the fourth quarter. Missouri was forced to punt eight times and turned the ball over on downs once.
Missouri was held to 14 first downs and 265 yards of total offense.
Beckwith led LSU with nine total tackles and Godchaux, Greg Gilmore, and Arden Key all provided pressure on Lock. LSU ended the night with two sacks, which was more than Missouri had allowed all season.
“I knew we were going to get some pressure,” said Missouri head coach Barry Odom. “Aranda is a really good coordinator on the other side of the field.”
Along with Aranda, Orgeron praised the defensive staff as a whole.
Earlier this week, Orgeron added defensive line coach Pete Jenkins to LSU’s staff — who has been out of the coaching game since his 2000-01 stint at LSU.
“Pete Jenkins helped our guys this week,” Orgeron said. “Our guys loved him.”
To Godchaux, LSU’s new-found high energy level is a result of Orgeron’s coaching style.
“The guys on the defensive line knew what kind of coach Orgeron is,” Godchaux said. “Orgeron’s high level of energy becomes contagious to the players and the rest of the staff.”

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Emily Brauner

LSU Defensive Line Coach Peter Jenkins shouts instructions during drills before the Tigers' 42-7 victory against Missouri on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016 in Tiger Stadium.