On Saturday night at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium the Fighting Tigers of LSU dropped their fourth game of the season and third in a row, losing to Alabama 20-9.
In Coach Frank Wilson’s first game as the Interim Head Coach for the Tigers it was a game where LSU just didn’t make enough plays on the offensive end to win the game.
“We asked our team that they go out and compete and play a style and brand of football representative of our university,” Coach Frank Wilson said. “I thought we did that, I thought we played hard.”
It all started on the first drive for LSU after forcing a turnover on downs on the defensive end. LSU marched the ball all the way down into the Crimson Tide redzone where they struggled all game. Damian Ramos missed a 30 yard field goal which could have put the Tigers in front early but was pushed left.
Alabama, though, took their time to get going as they found themselves punting the ball back to LSU twice before scoring their first points of the game.
In the second offensive drive of the game for the Tigers it was starting to look like the offense was figuring out their groove. That groove was quickly lost though after tight end Bauer Sharp fumbled the ball, ruining an 11 yard gain.
The Crimson Tide took advantage of that opportunity scoring three points off of a Conor Talty 45 yard field goal to give Alabama the lead.
In the second quarter LSU running back, Harlem Berry, broke off for a 37 yard run down the Crimson Tide sideline. Putting LSU in another good spot to get points on the board.
Once again, LSU failed to get the ball in the endzone as they did all game forcing them to kick another field goal. This time Ramos’ field goal was good from 37 yards out as LSU made it a tie ball game.
“We have to score touchdowns and not just field goals,” Coach Frank Wilson said when talking about what needs to improve from his team, especially in the redzone.
Alabama then scored two straight touchdowns, including one with just 22 seconds left in the first half, which would end up being the last touchdown of the game. As the Crimson Tide went into halftime with a commanding 17-3 lead.
In the second half we saw a little bit of the same struggles from this LSU offense as they were only able to score six more points in the entire game.
There were some significant moments though including quarterback, Michael Van Buren Jr., subbing into the game for Garrett Nussmeier late in the third quarter.
With LSU down 11 points at the time Coach Frank Wilson felt that putting in a more mobile quarterback would improve the offense.
“We discussed as a staff that we knew there could be opportunities in the quarterback run game…and we thought he gave us a chance to do those things,” Coach Wilson said.
Van Buren Jr. was 5-11 throwing for 52 yards in his third outing in an LSU uniform. He and the offense showed lots of promise in moving the ball down the field but slowed down because of penalties.
LSU committed 10 penalties throughout the game including seven on the offensive side of the ball.
“That’s part of the game and when you say to them that you have a license to go play let your personality show, when you’re that aggressive sometimes that happens,” Coach Wilson said.
Like it was said before, this team had plenty of chances inside the redzone and were just unable to find the endzone. While this has been a problem all season, it was very visible tonight.
LSU now looks to get their sixth win of the season against a very talented Arkansas team who has given other SEC opponents trouble throughout the season. This will be the Tigers’ last opportunity to get a conference win in Death Valley.
“Just keep fighting, keep fighting every single week…I don’t care what it takes next saturday I just want to come out with a win,” West Weeks said.
LSU takes on the Hogs on Saturday, Nov. 15th back home in Baton Rouge Louisiana
