The LSU football team is sick of practicing.
With two weeks to think about the loss to Auburn, the Tigers are looking to put their preparation into action against Kentucky, head coach Nick Saban said following Wednesday’s practice.
“We’ve got a good team we’re playing on the road,” Saban said. “It’s a big challenge. They do a lot of things well.”
Senior running back Domanick Davis said the team has a renewed focus heading into the weekend.
“We definitely regrouped,” he said. “We got things going. We’ve been getting after each other all week long. I think we got closer as a team.”
Kentucky sports the Southeastern Conference’s top-rated quarterback in Jared Lorenzen. The 300-pound passer presents a unique challenge for the Tigers’ defense, which still ranks No. 1 in the nation.
“He’s got great field vision and knows where his people are going to be,” Saban said. “He gets the ball to them at critical times.”
Not only can Lorenzen throw the ball effectively, but he also is difficult to bring down and can run well. Freshman quarterback Lester Ricard, who weighs 195 pounds, acted as Lorenzen in practice against the LSU defense.
“He’s a unique guy,” Saban said. “He’s one of a kind. You can’t sack him. Numerous times this year on film guys just run right in there and have a great chance to sack him. They just bounce off of him, and he goes and makes a play.”
Saban said it is important for LSU to come out strong against Kentucky after struggling in the first half against both South Carolina and Auburn.
“In the first half, in some cases this year, people have done things a little bit different against us, which has confused us,” he said. “Our players have shown a good resiliency to hang in there and make adjustments at halftime to play in the second half.”
The bye week has allowed the players both to mend their injuries and to become accustomed to a new starter at free safety on defense — Jack Hunt.
Hunt has adjusted well to the position and will share the responsibility of calling checks and coverage audibles with strong safety Norman LeJeune, Saban said.
Sophomore defensive end Marcus Spears, who went out with a high-ankle sprain early in the South Carolina game, has been practicing with the team for the last few days and appears to be ready to go on Saturday.
“We got some guys who were injured back on the field,” said LSU linebacker Bradie James. “Usually, you don’t ever really want to have an open date, but sometimes you need one.”
Saban Quotable
UK coach Guy Morriss broke his hand when punching a locker to motivate his team during halftime against Georgia last week.
“I’ve never done anything like that, and I’ve got a temper,” Saban said. “I’ve broken a few headsets on the sidelines in my day — one just two weeks ago at Auburn.”
Saban said he could not think of any time he has used his temper to motivate his team like that at halftime.
“I tell you what, if it worked, I’d break mine,” he said.