After a dominant 33-7 victory over South Carolina on the road, LSU is hoping to build on its success and play with consistency.
At Monday’s press conference and media luncheon, coach Nick Saban stressed the No. 9 Tigers (6-1, 3-1 Southeastern Conference) must continue to play at a high level to achieve success and meet the team’s goals.
“The most important thing for our players to learn from this experience is that when we bring our ‘A’ game and we take care of business … we can be a pretty decent football team,” Saban said. “And we could probably beat anybody we play … It’s important you bring your ‘A’ game whoever you play.”
Saban, after reviewing the game tape and assessing the team’s performance, said there were many positives in the way the Tigers played.
“We were pleased with the sense of urgency our players played with, the intensity we had in the game and the way we were able to sustain that intensity,” Saban said. “We dominated on both sides of the line of scrimmage. The young backs played well and the offensive line played well.
“It was part of a business-like approach to taking care of business, which is something that could really help us in the future play with consistency.”
Still, Saban spoke about some of the mistakes the Tigers made, which included occasional penalties, a long Hail Mary pass right before halftime that nearly turned into a South Carolina touchdown and a busted defensive assignment on the Gamecocks’ lone touchdown, a 77-yard scoring pass.
“The one thing about identity that I always talk about that I think is important is playing smart, playing with intelligence and even though we overcame our mistakes in the game very well – I think that’s a real positive – I still felt like we didn’t play smart at times,” Saban said. “We had a couple of penalties, we made a couple of major errors on defense that gave them big plays and those are the things we definitely need to improve on for the future.”
LSU will now turn its attention to a rebounding No.17 Auburn (5-2, 4-0) team. As The Sporting News’ preseason No. 1 team, Auburn struggled out of the gates, losing to Southern California and Georgia Tech.
Since then Auburn has wheeled off five straight wins over the likes of Tennessee and Arkansas, among others. The Tigers are using a solid running game, led by running back Carnell “Cadillac” Williams, and a low-risk passing game captained by quarterback Jason Campbell.
“We’re obviously playing a pretty good football team this week,” Saban said. “They have won five straight games and run the football as well or better than anyone in the country.
“They have two outstanding running backs in Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown. Jason Campbell has done a fantastic job, I think this year, of managing their offense – of not making mistakes.
“The defense is probably as good as any in the country. [Senior linebackers Karlos Dansby and [Dontarrious] Thomas are probably the best two linebackers that I’ve seen anywhere on any team.”
Auburn handled the Tigers 31-7 last season. Saban used an analogy to draw home a point that last season’s results really don’t matter anymore.
“I don’t talk to them at all [about last year’s game],” Saban said. “Last year is last year. If the Cubs and the Red Sox would quit worrying about what happened in the past and the ghost of this and that … and talk about what was happening now, they might have the chance to get to the World Series someday.”
Earthquake Time!
The theme for the game is “Shake, Rattle and Gold”. Fans are encouraged to wear special gold T-shirts, which highlight the 15th anniversary of the Earthquake Game against Auburn in Tiger Stadium. The phrase “Let the valley shake again” appears on the back of the shirt.
The shirts can be purchased any place official LSU merchandise is sold.
Injuries
Saban said running back Joseph Addai will probably be out of Saturday’s game with a knee injury. Also out is starting left guard, Nate Livings, who sustained a significant MCL knee injury and will probably be out 4-6 weeks, according to Saban.
Livings back up, Terrell McGill is nursing a twisted ankle and wide receiver Devery Henderson has a hip pointer. Both should be fine. Three players are sick with viruses: linebacker Dave Peterson, defensive end Brian West and wide receiver Craig Davis.
Running back Shyrone Carey started practicing Monday. Saban said the team will see how Carey, a junior suffering from an MCL injury, progresses in practice in order to determine if he plays Saturday.
Tigers to face hot Auburn team
October 20, 2003