Despite coaching changes and a reconstructed offense, LSU’s defense ranks near the top of two major defensive categories.
Not allowing opposing teams to score touchdowns has become normal for LSU.
Through five games, LSU (3-2, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) has allowed five touchdowns all season, which is the best in the SEC and second best in the nation.
In fact, the Tigers have yielded more field goals — 13 — than touchdowns this season.
“That’s our thing,” senior linebacker Kendell Beckwith said. “Giving up a field goal is like winning. As long as we don’t give up touchdown after touchdown, that’s a win.”
The No. 1 goal for the LSU defense is to never let the opposing team get into the endzone.
But there’s an added sense of urgency for the Tigers when teams come close to scoring and are in the redzone.
“It’s like your back is against the wall,” Beckwith said. “You don’t want to give up a touchdown. That’s just the thing, not to give up a touchdown.”
LSU ranks third in the SEC in total defense, allowing 14.8 points per game.
Defensive coordinator Dave Aranda has developed a chemistry with the LSU defensive players that made for a smooth transition for the first-year coordinator.
Beckwith, who played under three different defensive coordinators in his career, said he loves working with Aranda.
Interim coach Ed Orgeron spoke highly of Aranda and even called him one of the best coordinators he’s been around and Orgeron promoted Aranda to associate head coach upon being named LSU’s interim head coach on Sept. 26.
“I can’t point out one specific thing,” Orgeron said Monday. “His organization, his structure, system, attention to detail, calmness, leadership ability, his ability to sit on the sideline and see what the offense is doing to us and make an adjustment the next play.”
The defense’s strong play was rewarded Saturday with the Tigers’ best offensive performance of the season. LSU’s defense was only on the field for 17 minutes versus Missouri.
Orgeron said the LSU defensive backs had the best defensive games of the season.
“We had great play from the safeties,” sophomore cornerback Donte Jackson said. “The front seven played a great job, which makes ours a lot easier when guys are rushing and getting the passer face.”
Up next for LSU: Florida, an SEC East rival, which argues with LSU as to which school claims the heralded moniker of “defensive back university,” or “DBU.”
Jackson isn’t worried about the title of “DBU.” He’ll let his game do the talking.
“We just worried about our defense playing well as we’ve been doing all year,” Jackson said. “It’s really no competition. We ain’t really worried about it. Florida has a great defensive coach, we just ready to put ours to work and let the nation know.”
“This is a rivalry game for us, and we understand that,” Orgeron said.