Only so much should be take away from games against lesser competition, but LSU treated Army as it was supposed to.
The Tigers entered the upcoming bye week with a 62-0 win, dominating in all facets of the game. It was a game where the backups got to play early, and one where the defense continued to make progress.
PHOTOS: LSU football shuts out Army 62-0
Here are three takeaways from LSU’s win:
Disciplined aggressiveness is what LSU needs on defense
Statistically, LSU had its best defensive game of the season against Army. Not only did the defense pitch a shoutout, but it forced four turnovers and held the Army offense to just 193 yards.
The turnovers were the most impressive part of the night. Andre’ Sam led that charge, intercepting two passes, and could’ve had at least two more. Sam leads the team in interceptions with three and might be LSU’s best playmaker in the secondary.
Forcing turnovers hasn’t been a consistent theme for the LSU defense, but stealing extra possessions for the offense can be the difference in big games. That aggressiveness on defense is important, but it has to come with discipline.
LSU struggled with discipline on defense early in the season. Coverage busts and missed tackles were common, but those issues haven’t come up as often in the last two weeks. In the games to come, discipline is a necessity, and forcing a few turnovers won’t hurt either.
LSU VS. ARMY: LSU football pays tribute to Army in Tiger Stadium
It might be time to give Aaron Anderson another chance to return punts
LSU’s special teams have been a roller coaster to say the least over the last two years. From muffed punts and kicks to blocked field goals, last season was a disaster.
When LSU added Aaron Anderson out of the transfer portal, many thought that was the solution to the return game’s struggles. However, Anderson’s time as a returner didn’t last long.
Anderson muffed his first punt of LSU’s opening game, and hasn’t been back to return punts since. Instead, Gregory Clayton took that role and hasn’t had a muff all season.
That’s not to say Clayton is giving LSU much. Despite not dropping any punts, Clayton has had issues judging the ball and fielding punts, often losing yards of field position for LSU with punts going over his head.
LSU only has two punt returns on the year for 10 yards, ranking last in the SEC in both categories. With how good the offense is, LSU doesn’t need much on returns, but eventually losing critical yards in field position could be costly.
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If Zy Alexander’s injury is serious, LSU could be in deep trouble at corner
The lowlight of the game for LSU’s defense came at the end of the first half on an intercepted Hail Mary. Alexander caught the pick but sustained a lower body injury on the return and didn’t play in the second half.
Kelly didn’t have a specific diagnosis following the game on Alexander’s injury, but said they were going to evaluate it. Alexander’s absence in the second half created playing time for true freshman Jeremiah Hughes with Denver Harris and Ashton Stamps both inactive.
Kelly said they expect Stamps to return during the bye week but didn’t give any further clarification on Harris’ absence.
If Alexander is out, LSU’s depth at corner is already thin. Hughes, Harris, Duce Chestnut, Sage Ryan, Laterrance Welch and Stamps have all played snaps at corner this season. With Chestnut and Harris inactive and Alexander potentially injured, LSU may have to rely on true freshmen at a critical position.
