Missouri vs. LSU: Game Grades, Analysis for LSU
In the Ed Orgeron Era debut in Death Valley, the LSU Tigers defeated the Missouri Tigers 42-7, shutting down one of the conference's best offenses all while having a pair of running backs—none of them named Leonard —score three touchdowns apiece.
LSU needed a game like Saturday night's to inject energy into the program—an energy that felt zapped when the clock hit zeroes just one second too early a week ago at Auburn.
With LSU at 3-2 this season, there's plenty of time to make a case for a New Years Six bowl game.
Now let's check out the game grades for each of LSU's positional units.
Rush Offense
1 of 6
Grade: A+
Check it—418 yards is how LSU's rushing attack faired against Mizzou.
There's no other grade to give than an A-plus.
Leonard Fournette missed Saturday's game with an ankle injury, but it didn't matter. LSU's offensive line dominated, allowing Derrius Guice and Darrel Williams to combine for six touchdowns—three apiece—and 293 yards on the ground.
Orgeron promised a revamped offense, and that seemingly meant a more dynamic passing attack. It seems he's content to let LSU ground and pound their way out of the depths.
Pass Offense
2 of 6
Grade: B
When your team gains over 400 yards on the ground, quarterbacks aren't asked to do much beyond manage the game.
Etling had more of a green light than ever on Saturday as he continues to develop a chemistry at LSU. He didn't throw any touchdowns or picks against Mizzou, but he did have 216 yards through the air on 19-of-30 passing.
D.J. Chark is slowly becoming LSU's top option, as he led the game with 58 yards on three catches, including a circus grab while having a defender pull at his facemask midair.
Etling is clearly the future for LSU this season, and Saturday night he had a solid game and didn't stand in Guice's or Williams' way.
Rush Defense
3 of 6
Grade: A+
While Les Miles was fired mainly because he couldn't get the offense going, LSU's defense has been impressive all season and was again on Saturday.
Mizzou was limited to just 77 rushing yards on 22 attempts (3.5 yards per touch), with Ish Witter leading the way for Missouri with 48 yards on the ground.
LSU's front line is so physical and tough, it'll give every team it plays problems. LSU's identity starts on defense and, more importantly, in the trenches.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Pass Defense
4 of 6
Grade: A
Missouri quarterback Drew Lock looked horrid against LSU, completing just 17 of 37 passes for 167 yards, no touchdowns and an interception.
Lock did catch the game's only touchdown for Mizzou on wideout Eric Laurent's double reverse pass.
Nevertheless, LSU's secondary is starting to truly come along. Lock came into the game as one of the country's most statistically accomplished quarterbacks through the season's first four weeks, but Death Valley proved too damning.
Tre'Davious White continues to be an electrifying LSU playmaker, as he was the one credited with the interception.
Special Teams
5 of 6
Special Teams: B
This grade would be lower if the game wasn't such a blowout.
Colby Delahoussaye missed his only field-goal try, and LSU also had a kick go out of bounds.
But Delahoussaye did make all his extra points, and Josh Growden averaged 47 yards on three punts.
Not much news here, as special teams didn't have a significant impact in the game.
Coaching
6 of 6
Grade: A+
The ghosts of the 2013 USC Trojans found their way to Baton Rouge on Saturday as Ed Orgeron firmly planted himself into LSU's long-term plans.
While Orgeron likely will never be LSU's top candidate, Saturday's blowout at least puts his name on the list. LSU was in desperate need of a new identity and had one week to find it.
Orgeron did more than put a bandage on the wounds—he reinvented LSU as a team that looked like a powerhouse.
Orgeron's resume to get the LSU job will likely have to include winning out this season, but Saturday was a solid first step for that goal.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
