Communication deficiencies contributed to LSU’s undoing in its season-opening loss.
The Tigers (0-1) were forced to blow two timeouts in the second half because of defective headsets, and players on both sides of the ball admitted there were flaws in their exchange of information that produced negative results for LSU.
“Everything, at this point, is to be criticized,” said LSU coach Les Miles during his “Les Miles Show” on Wednesday.
A key aspect of LSU’s game plan when it lines up against Jacksonville State at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday at Tiger Stadium is fixing those communication issues against the Football Championship Subdivision’s third-ranked team and reigning national runner-up.
“First game mistakes,” Miles said.
Attempting to hinge those breaks in communication, Miles said offensive coordinator Cam Cameron is moving back to the booth after coaching from
Lambeau Field’s sideline against Wisconsin.
Cameron first transitioned from the box to coaching on the sideline at quarterback Brandon Harris’ request, when the then-sophomore requested Cameron’s expertise for LSU’s 56-27 victory against Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl in December.
Harris threw for 261 yards with one touchdown and added another touchdown on the ground with 41 yards in drubbing of the Red Raiders.
The Tigers stuck with what worked against Texas Tech in the season opener, but the tactic proved ineffective as Harris posted a quarterback rating of 6.9 — contrasted with his 92.7 QBR in the bowl game — and threw for 131 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in the defeat.
Miles said Cameron can react in between plays with his calls as a result of the enhanced view he has from the booth, opposed to having the information relayed to him, at which point it may be too late.
“What was an obvious advantage [against Texas Tech], we did not get as much information from the box as we would have liked,” Miles said. “[Cameron] has a good view of offense and defense and can really tell what’s going on very quickly from there … We feel like we would reverse that step there and put him back in the box.”
Miles said the move shouldn’t affect Harris as he expects backup quarterbacks Danny Etling, Justin McMillan and Lindsey Scott — LSU’s scout team quarterback this week, imitating Jacksonville State’s senior quarterback Eli Jenkins — to help him off the field. Wide receivers coach Dameyune Craig, a former Auburn quarterback, can help, too.
On the field, senior safety Rickey Jefferson said the defensive backs focused on communicating more effectively pre-snap, a step that will be crucial against Jacksonville State’s high-octane offense.
The Gamecocks posted 502 total yards in their season-opening win against North Alabama, 31-12, after amassing a school-record 7,613 yards last season.
Jenkins, the FCS National Quarterback of the Year, leads a quick-strike attack that’s capable of scoring in minutes and will look to take advantage of any miscommunication across the defense.
For that reason, Jefferson said the defense focused on relaying information quickly and effectively in a fast-tempo style of play, as well as strictly following what is called.
“Me and [senior cornerback Tre’Davious White] said that we’re going to make sure we stick to what we call, it’s done after that,” Jefferson said. “Sometimes we have the tendency to try to change it up last minute, but it’s concrete now.”
LSU football players huddle before the Tigers' 19-7 victory against Texas A&M University on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015 in Tiger Stadium.
