For the Tigers, it’s back to the drawing board. At least that is what Head Coach Ed Orgeron said after a historic loss to Troy, LSU’s first non-conference loss in 50 tries.
“A disappointing performance,” Orgeron said. “We were out coached and out played tonight. That’s the bottom line.”
LSU is still searching for answers as to how Troy defeated them 24-21 and gave the Tigers their first non-conference loss at home since losing to another Alabama team, UAB, in 2000.
“It’s a tough one to swallow,” senior tackle Greg Gilmore said. “Nothing that anyone says can make you feel better.”
LSU had a very slow start to the game. Mistakes ranging from fumbling the first play of the game to LSU missing a 35-yard field goal caused the Tigers to trail 10-0 at the half.
By the third quarter, Tiger Stadium had an aura of confusion and disappointment, which caused a significant amount of LSU fans to leave before the game was over.
Sophomore linebacker Devin White believes the Tigers need to work on one-on-one defensive coverage to improve.
“I just feel like if everyone plays their heart out…then we’ll be a whole lot better,” White said.
LSU’s offensive needs to minimize the turnovers and provide stronger protection for their running backs before they head into the meat of their season with seven consecutive SEC opponents.
“We’re doing the same things we did last year when I took over,” Orgeron said. “It looks like everything is okay, and then we are going out there and not playing very well.”
It’s tough not to overreact, but with this team sitting at 3-2 with only SEC opponents remaining, there is a real possibility that LSU might not be bowl eligible for the first time since 1999.
“We have a lot of football left to play,” senior quarterback Danny Etling said. “The story of this team is still being written. It’s still in the beginning chapters.”
LSU will need to make these improvements quickly before they travel to Gainesville next week to take on Florida, who has won 3 straight games.