Jacksonville State vs. LSU: Game Grades, Analysis for Tigers
After the sky fell in Green Bay for the LSU Tigers in Week 1, the clouds cleared—literally because of a rain delay that backed up kickoff—on Saturday as the Tigers walloped FCS opponent Jacksonville State 34-13.
By far the biggest development for the Tigers was the benching of Brandon Harris under center in favor of Danny Etling, who was put into the game after just two drives and provided an immediate spark to a stagnant offense that was without Leonard Fournette.
With that, let's check out the game grades for each of LSU's positional units.
Rush Offense
1 of 6
Grade: A+
The Tigers rushed for 244 yards as a team without Fournette in the lineup, who missed the game due to a lingering ankle injury suffered against Wisconsin.
Derrius Guice led the way with 155 yards on 19 carries with a touchdown.
While everybody in Baton Rouge wants Fournette back—and it's tough to gauge the Tigers against an FCS team—the backup running options for LSU undoubtedly took a major step forward.
Pass Offense
2 of 6
Grade: C+
The numbers weren't off the charts for Etling by any stretch of the imagination. He finished just 6-of-14 passing for 100 yards with a pick and a touchdown.
But there was an unquestionable injection of energy and spark given to LSU when Etling replaced Harris, who was 1-of-4 for eight yards through the air.
On Etling's first drive, he found DeSean Smith on a 46-yard strike to the end zone.
Etling has a lot of progress to make, but he did enough to earn the full-time job against the Gamecocks.
Rush Defense
3 of 6
Grade: B+
The Tigers defense didn't allow a rushing touchdown, only gave up 120 yards and limited Jacksonville State to just 3.5 yards per carry.
LSU's defense played well last week against Wisconsin's far more capable rushing attack, so Saturday's showing came as no surprise. The LSU front lines are dangerous, and they'll stay that way through the whole season.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Pass Defense
4 of 6
Grade: B
Eli Jenkins, the gunslinger for Jacksonville State, showed off his athleticism in spurts and gave LSU headaches at times.
But the Tigers also had an interception by Donte Jackson that was returned for big yardage and ultimately put the game away. Jenkins completed just 48.6 percent of his pass attempts (17-of-35) for 248 yards and a touchdown.
With Jacksonville State trailing big most of the second half, the Gamecocks' aerial numbers look inflated and shouldn't be held against a defense that allowed just 13 points.
Special Teams
5 of 6
Grade: A
The 60-yard punt return for a touchdown by Tre'Davious White, who had a pick-six in Week 1, may be the most exciting play you'll see from the LSU special teams unit this season.
But outside of those fireworks, it was business as usual for the special teams. There were no major miscues, coverage units did their jobs and the punting was much better this week compared to last. There was a blocked extra point in the first quarter, but with a 21-point victory, that's virtually meaningless.
Coaching
6 of 6
Grade: A
Beating an FCS opponent is expected and doesn't take the heat off head coach Les Miles' seat.
But a dominating victory in which he had the courage to remove Harris and plug in Etling could end up being an early turning point for LSU this season.
The Tigers still have a lot to prove this year after falling to Wisconsin, but they needed to take the step of manhandling Jacksonville State—and they did just that.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
