When a defense forces a turnover, it often changes the momentum of the game. The crowd erupts and opposing teams walk back to the sideline dismayed.
Turnovers also determine who is playing in the BCS National Championship game. Since 2007, four out of the five teams who led the Southeastern Conference in turnover margin played for the National Championship.
When LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis came over from Tennessee at the end of the 2008 season, he brought with him a culture of forcing turnovers.
Since Chavis arrived in 2009, LSU’s turnover margin has improved each season, culminating in the 2011 campaign when the Tigers led the SEC with a per game turnover margin of 1.4.
“When we tackle, we’re taught to hold the ball carrier up if we can,” said junior safety Craig Loston. “So when the second tackler gets there, they can rip the ball out.”
In LSU’s biggest wins last season — Oregon, Alabama and Georgia — the defense forced a total of eight turnovers.
Chavis preaches an attacking defense in which all 11 players on the field are taught to explode toward the ball. The success of this strategy has manifested itself in 46 forced fumbles since 2009.
“[Chavis] tells us all the time our biggest thing is turnovers,” said junior linebacker Lamin Barrow. “If we can force a couple turnovers a game, we’re probably going to win that game.”
LSU’s dominant defensive line often forces these turnovers, either directly by causing fumbles or indirectly by forcing the quarterback to make a quick throw — something the coaches have taught them since day one on campus.
“When we get to the quarterback, they teach us to hit where the ball is,” said junior defensive lineman Bennie Logan. “Secure the sack first, but make sure you’re in a position to force the ball out.”
LSU led the SEC with 39 sacks in the 2011 season. The defense’s constant pressure often forces opposing quarterbacks to make rushed decisions, which sometimes leads to turnovers.
“[Defensive line coach Brick Haley] teaches us to drop our shoulder coming around the edge,” Logan said. “It helps us get to the quarterback faster.”
The pressure the line puts on the quarterbacks is beneficial to the secondary. Since 2009, the LSU secondary has accounted for 49
interceptions.
“We really benefit from the defensive line,” Loston said. “When they are getting pressure, it makes our job easier.”
The turnovers continued in LSU’s season opener against North Texas with the defense forcing two turnovers, one interception by junior safety Eric Reid and a fumble recovered by freshman linebacker Kwon Alexander.
Chavis makes sure the defensive players have these ballhawking techniques drilled into their heads from the first day they step on campus.
“It’s something that’s fundamental here,” said junior linebacker Kevin Minter. “It’s taught in every practice. It’s second nature now.”
