LSU Defense Steps Up and Rolls Utah St 42-6
Questions about LSU’s defense have been running rampant after yielding 90 points in its last three outings. In all fairness, the offense didn’t exactly set the defense up in good positions and even gave up two defensive touchdowns to Vanderbilt. That was not the case Saturday against Utah State, as LSU’s defense smothered Utah State and its coveted NFL prospect quarterback, Jordan Love, 42-6.
LSU’s offense presented its most balanced attack of the season with 51 runs and 39 passes. This effectively slowed the game down and kept the defense off the field.
The result was 159 yards, six points and just ten first downs yielded to Utah State. Love, whom many project as a first-round draft pick in the upcoming NFL draft, was limited to 15-30 passing with 130 yards no touchdowns and three interceptions.
"If our defense can play like that, we can win any way we want,” LSU coach Ed Orgeron said.
The LSU defense, which only gave up 14 yards rushing, was lead by linebacker Patrick Queen with six tackles, five of which were solo tackles. He was closely followed by fellow linebacker Jacob Philips.
“We have been working non-stop on tackling over the past couple of weeks,” Orgeron said. “I don’t think we had anyone cramping. I don't think we had to give anyone IVs. I think the clock management really helped us.”
Defensive backs Kary Vincent Jr., Derek Stingley Jr. and Grant Delpit each came away with an interception. The defense was also aided by the return of K’Lavon Chaisson from injury.
“That was a top-ten offense, and they say a first-round quarterback,” Philips said. “We took him off of the things he could do well and we dominated as a defense.”
Meanwhile, Joe Burrow and the LSU offense continued to roll. Burrow’s five touchdown passes tied a Tiger Stadium record for the second time this season. Burrow completed 27 of his 38 passing attempts for 344 yards five touchdowns and an interception.
Burrow now has 1,864 passing yards with 22 touchdowns and three interceptions after five games. Burrow is rapidly approaching the LSU school record of 28 touchdown passes.
“We can be as good as we want,” Burrow said. “The only team that can slow us down is us. We had 40-something minutes of possession and 600 yards of offense. We played to win the game.”
Burrow’s favorite target of the day was Justin Jefferson with nine catches for 155 yards and two scores. In Terrace Marshall’s stead, LSU receiver Derrick Dillon stepped up with four grabs for 42 yards and a score of his own.
“We really opened up our offense,” Jefferson said. “We’re just going to focus on running the ball and throwing the ball.”
LSU’s modified offensive approach featured 51 rush attempts for 248 yards. That resulted in more than 41 minutes of possession. Clyde Edwards-Helaire led the way rushing with 72 yards on 14 carries. He was followed by Tyrion Davis-Price with 53 yards and John Emery Jr. with 45 yards.
LSU rushing attack was aided by the return of troubled offensive lineman Ed Ingram.
Overall LSU’s outgained Utah State 601 yards to 159. Notably, LSU converted on 11 of its 17 3rd down tries compared to Utah State’s one conversion on 12 attempts.
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