LSU's Season Opener Leaves Much to Discuss

Although the LSU Tigers defeated the Washington Huskies by eight points last night, it was hardly the type of performance that would inspire a demanding fanbase hoping to turn over a new page after a disappointing 2008 season. 

While the Huskies appeared to be much improved under new head coach Steve Sarkisian and defensive coordinator Nick Holt, both former coordinators at USC, the LSU defense appeared timid, while the offense was unable to get into a true rhythm all night.  There was a lot of information to digest from the game, and LSU sent some very mixed signals. 

Since there are still many reasons to be optimistic in Baton Rouge, I will start with the positives.  In the second installment, the negative aspects of LSU’s performance will be discussed.

Positives

Jordan Jefferson looks poised and confident at the quarterback position.  Despite his strong performance in last year’s Peach Bowl, Jefferson had some detractors even among the LSU fanbase before this season who questioned his consistency and accuracy in the pocket.

In this game, Jefferson silenced most of those critics as he connected for three touchdowns and made none of the errors in judgment that tormented fans while Jarrett Lee played quarterback last year. 

He also showed his versatility in running the option.  Unfortunately, he was not given the opportunity to show his downfield passing ability for most of the game, and he when he dropped back in the pocket, he generally threw short, but accurate, passes to his receivers.

Brandon Lafell is on pace for another All-SEC season at receiver, as long as he receives a similar amount of passes his way as in years past.  Against the Huskies, he caught four passes, including one impressive diving grab for a touchdown at the end of the game. 

His counterpart Terrance Toliver finally had a breakout game, catching 4 passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns.  Three years ago, Toliver came to LSU as one of the top 20 recruits in the nation, and it appears he can finally be a significant contributor.

Keiland Williams looks much quicker than he did last season.  In offseason interviews, he admitted that he packed on too much muscle before the 2008 season, and as a result, he lost his quick first step. 

After rushing for 51 yards on 7 carries and gaining some clutch first downs late in the game, Williams looks to be in better gameday shape.  He also didn’t show an aversion to contact, which has probably been his biggest weakness during his LSU career and a trait which has kept him in Les Miles’s doghouse for much of last season.  He looked particularly effective with Jordan Jefferson running the option.

While the defensive line did not manage to pressure Jake Locker as much as expected, the front four looked more active than they did for most of last year.  Jake Locker is a very mobile quarterback and was able to evade most of the LSU defenders.

However, the linemen were still somewhat active in the backfield and were able to knock down some passes.  Drake Nevis is one player in particular who should be singled out for praise, as he has developed significantly over the past year.  

Patrick Peterson played like a man possessed.  Bob Davie was spot on when he said that Peterson will be a first round draft pick in the near future.  Unfortunately for Tiger fans, he may go in the 2011 draft, after his junior season.  While he was beaten 3-4 times on short routes, this was mostly a result of zone coverage that underutilized his greatest skills (more on that later). 

Peterson finished with nine tackles, several key pass break-ups, and a fumble recovery.  Also, he assisted the linebackers and other defensive backs on quick slants and bubble screens and greatly limited the Huskies’ big play potential.

Last year, the LSU defense was not particularly opportunistic, unlike the famed defenses under Nick Saban and Bo Pelini which were renowned for their takeaways.  During the frustrating 2008 season, where LSU’s defense was run by two inexperienced co-coordinators, their takeaways greatly decreased. 

Thanks to Jacob Cutrera and Patrick Peterson, LSU once again forced turnovers at opportune times, with an interception deep in Washington territory and fumble recovery that ended the Huskies’ longest drive. 

Besides, it must have felt good for LSU fans to finally not be on the receiving side of a pick six, as Cutrera returned a Locker interception 29 yards for a touchdown.

Penalties cost LSU greatly last year.  Perhaps the most infamous incidents occurred during the regular season finale in Fayetteville, when both Rahim Alem and Tremaine Johnson picked up unsportsmanlike conduct penalties that prolonged stalling drives for the Razorbacks and ultimately led to their 31-30 victory.

This year’s team has started out much more disciplined, with only three penalties for 35 yards in the first game (compared to Washington which had 11 for 83 yards).  In addition, one of penalties, a pass interference against strong safety Brandon Taylor, was a poor call as replays showed that Taylor did not touch the Washington receiver.

Rahim Alem’s roughing the passer penalty is somewhat disconcerting, but I will reserve judgment until I actually see a video of the hit (among their many miscues in this game, ESPN failed to show the late hit on replay).  However, color commentator Bob Davie briefly mentioned that it was a harsh call. 

And while Ciron Black’s offsides penalty on the Tigers’ first drive certainly changed the team’s strategy in the red zone, it was his lone penalty of the evening and certainly did not suggest a lapse in discipline or judgment. 

In the second part of this article, the negatives in LSU's performance will be discussed.