The LSU football team officially made it through September with an unblemished record. However, it hasn’t come without its fair share of trials and tribulations.
The Tigers (3-0, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) won two matchups against then-ranked SEC teams and another against an overmatched Atlantic Coast Conference team, climbing into the top 10 of the Associated Press poll. LSU has displayed plenty of positives to build on, but it needs to sharpen up in order to be a legitimate contender.
LSU’s 34-24 win against Syracuse University on Saturday showcased the best and worst of the Tigers.
The Good
Sophomore running back Leonard Fournette is becoming a living legend. He’s unstoppable.
Fournette became the first running back in LSU history with 200 rushing yards in two consecutive games Saturday. He rushed 26 times for 244 yards and two touchdowns against the Orange, dragging multiple players down the field at times, and mixing in a 61-yard run for a touchdown.
The performance brought his season totals to 631 yards and eight touchdowns on 73 carries in three games. Imagine how much higher those numbers would’ve been if LSU played McNeese State University.
On Saturday, Syracuse had to put eight men in the box every play and pile half of its defense onto Fournette’s back to tackle him at times. He’s a special player, and when he’s consistently getting the ball, LSU has a great chance to win.
The Bad
Early on Saturday, LSU’s special teams play was less than special.
Syracuse returned the opening kickoff 37 yards. After the LSU defense forced a stop, junior cornerback Tre’Davious White fielded the ensuing punt inside his own five yard line.
It didn’t get any better for the LSU kick coverage team. It surrendered 176 kick return yards and 44 punt return yards for an average of 22 yards per punt return. The LSU defense is one of the best in the nation, but it doesn’t have much of a chance if the opposing team gets the ball at midfield every possession.
Senior punter Jamie Keehn’s first effort went only 13 yards, and he ended the day with a 37.6 average on five punts. The miscues gave Syracuse the early edge in field position, but the Tigers overcame them. A more dominant team might have punished the Tigers.
The Ugly
LSU committed 14 penalties, totaling 120 yards against the Orange.
The amount of penalties and the yardage is appalling. LSU outgained Syracuse 425 to 281, but penalties kept Syracuse in the game.
Each penalty aided Syracuse’s offense, and they killed several of LSU’s drives.
Former LSU running back Alley Broussard’s single-game rushing record would have fallen, but Fournette had an 87-yard touchdown run called back in the third quarter thanks to an illegal formation penalty.
LSU can’t commit this many penalties against the SEC’s top teams. Alabama, Ole Miss and Texas A&M don’t need any extra help. If Syracuse can capitalize on LSU’s penalties to the tune of 24 points, imagine what SEC powerhouses will do.
LSU can’t keep handing out gifts. If the Tigers stop extending other teams’ drives and killing off their own, they’ll be right up there with Ohio State University and Michigan State University as the best teams in the nation.
Jack Woods is a 22-year-old mass communication senior from Ruston, Louisiana. You can reach him on Twitter @Jack_TDR.