LSU played arguably its most complete game of the season Saturday against Auburn.”I like the position we’re in,” LSU coach Les Miles said Monday. “All our goals are there … Offensively, we got into a nice rhythm, and some of the things we worked on like specific coverages we saw come to bear in the game.”Senior linebacker Harry Coleman and junior linebacker Kelvin Sheppard were named defensive most valuable players, and sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson and junior wide receiver Terrance Toliver earned the honor on the offensive side for their performances.Coleman had one of his best games at LSU on Saturday, finishing with nine tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles, and Sheppard led the team with 13 tackles.Miles said Jefferson is maturing into “a quiet leader” on the team.”Any time you see a young player who is talented come of age and get the benefit of a completed pass for the work he’s put in, that’s what you enjoy,” Miles said.Miles said throwing the ball from the I-formation was one situation at which Jefferson was successful.”It certainly appeared it was single coverage on those wide receivers,” Miles said. “We can run the football, and we will run the football if they give us even numbers … If they don’t, then the opportunity is to throw it to our receivers on the perimeter.” Miles said even the young LSU players who came into the game showcased their talent well. True freshman fullback Dominique Allen made his first start against Auburn.”The guys who stepped on the field for the first time Saturday will play key roles the rest of the season,” Miles said.Jefferson took a hit in the game late, but Miles said it was a good lesson for the quarterback.”That was right in the crosshairs of the decision-making, and the reality of it is if he matured a little further, he wouldn’t have gotten hit,” Miles said. “As sad as that last hit was — and thank goodness without consequence — hopefully that was also a learning moment.”Miles said senior offensive tackle Ciron Black left the Auburn game with a “sprained ligament in between his third finger and fourth finger.””It’s not broken, but it’s definitely an owie,” Miles said. “We’ll put some ice on it and a Band-Aid, and knowing him, it won’t bother him much.”On special teams, junior punter Derek Helton left the game after just one punt before junior kicker Josh Jasper took over for the remainder of the night. “[Helton] was a little nicked to start the game, and his first kick aggravated that issue,” Miles said. “We have to be more consistent there.”Helton said Monday his injury was a strained hip flexor, and he said it is “too early to tell” if he will play Saturday against Tulane.
 
 
 
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