Under interim head coach Ed Orgeron, LSU’s season has restarted, players say.
“We came into this season No. 5 in the country,” junior receiver Malachi Dupre said after LSU’s 42-7 win against Missouri on Saturday. “We didn’t live up to the hype right away, but we played our style of football tonight. I feel like it’s just the beginning for us, seriously.”
To kick-start a “new” season, LSU (3-2, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) was without its star offensive player: Leonard Fournette, who did not play on Saturday as LSU’s offense produced more yards, 634, than it has all season.
Fournette did not play in LSU’s 35-point win versus Missouri (2-3, 0-2 SEC) because of a lingering ankle injury.
Suited in a white polo and purple sweatpants on the sideline, Fournette watched as LSU’s rushing attack had its best game against an SEC opponent since Oct. 30, 1976.
LSU didn’t need Fournette. Sophomore tailback Derrius Guice was enough.
Guice, a Catholic High grad, charged to a new career-high for rushing yards: 163. Touchdowns, too, with three. And rushing attempts at 17.
He, in a slippery, elusive, wrecking ball-like fashion, steered LSU’s 634 yards of total offense — including 418 rushing yards — which is its chunkiest offensive night since it posted 638 yards of offense in its 57-28 Texas Bowl win on Dec. 29, 2015 against Texas Tech.
LSU’s 82 plays were its most on offense since an 89-play night versus Ole Miss on Nov. 21, 2015, too.
The change to LSU’s program — which coach Ed Orgeron promised on Monday once he was officially announced as the Tigers’ interim head coach — is clear: It’s happening.
“There were a lot of changes — practice schedule, the energy,” junior fullback J.D. Moore said. “He just lead us well and we rallied around him because, obviously, he’s very passionate and energetic about this game for the players.”
Orgeron, drenched from a recent Gatorade shower, was handed the game ball by LSU’s players after becoming LSU’s fourth-straight coach to win his debut.
Monday, Orgeron said he “wanted to flip the script.”
To LSU’s players, he’s re-energized a two-loss SEC West team and inspired the Tigers to salvage whatever they can from a seemingly busted season.
“The energy he brought, there was a huge difference this week in practice,” junior tight end Colin Jeter said. “We showed that tonight. If can change the whole team’s demeanor and get everyone ready, you can accomplish a lot in the game.”
He, along with interim offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger, had six days — from Sunday afternoon when Les Miles was fired until Saturday night — to implement a new offense.
On Saturday, LSU posted its program-high rushing yards mark against an SEC opponent since Oct. 30, 1976 — a testament to the game plan and new strategy, players say.
“Most of the core, the framework of our offense stayed the same,” Moore, who found himself once split out wide as a receiver for the first time in his career versus Missouri, said. “The strategy of the play calling and adding a few wrinkles here and there.”
“We put a lot of little wrinkles in to confuse the defense, make some mismatches,” Jeter said. “It helped us out a lot tonight.”
LSU players said it’s impossible to implement a brand new offense in one week.
So, LSU’s plan headed into Saturday’s game was simple, players said: spread Missouri out with passing, then bust the defense with a power running game.
Joining Guice on LSU’s rushing barrage were career nights from junior Darrel Williams and sophomore Nick Brossette.
Williams, LSU’s third tailback on the depth chart behind Guice and Fournette, eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the first time in his career on Saturday. He finished with 131 yards on 21 carries with three touchdowns — all career highs.
Brossette added 70 yards on five carries, including a career-long 60-yard play in the fourth quarter.
For Brossette and Williams to succeed, LSU had to spread Missouri’s defense out, which Orgeron said was in LSU’s future as an offense as early as Monday at his introductory press conference.
LSU junior quarterback Danny Etling connected with nine different receivers on 19 of 30 completions for 216 yards.
“Spreading the love around,” Moore said.
After a week as LSU’s interim head coach, Orgeron spread some love around, too.
“Special week,” Orgeron said. “It’s an honor, something I’ve dreamed about.”
“He was fired up,” Jeter said.
You can reach Christian Boutwell, @CBoutwell_
