LSU fends off McNeese 34-7
After a shocking loss at UCLA in the season opener, LSU (fans were looking for improvements on offense and defense against FCS foe McNeese (0-2).
And LSU fans got exactly what they were looking for - on defense. LSU’s did eventually get rolling but left many questions from last week unanswered.
McNeese quarterback Cody Orgeron may be the son of LSU coach Ed Orgeron, but the elder Orgeron showed no mercy on this night.
LSU sacked Cody eight times and allowed just two more completions than sacks. Cody went 10-20 for 91 yards and a touchdown.
“So proud of him and coach Frank, but tonight was about LSU,” Orgeron said of his son. “But you know what, he’s a winner and he’s going to come back and play great next week.”
LSU limited McNeese to just 142 yards and held the Cowboys scoreless until 4:30 left to play in the fourth quarter.
"We won the game. Very pleased with our defensive performance,” Orgeron said. “Not pleased with the last touchdown on the screen. Very pleased with our pass rush and I knew we were a good pass-rushing team, but obviously we're going to face stiffer opponents down the road.”
While the Tigers took care of business on defense, it took a bit longer to deliver desired results on offense.
“I think we just started slow today,” LSU quarterback Max Johnson said. “ I think we called some of the same calls today, but we just need to bring more diversity. I think we’re going to do that.”
Issues with blocking and the running game were highly criticized following LSU’s loss last week. Those issues were hardly aided by the absence of offensive linemen, Austin Deculus, Anthony Bradford, Chasen Hines, and Cameron Wire in this game.
“Some of those guys were second team guys that didn't have a lot of experience, but I need to see the film to see who was getting beat,” Orgeron said. “Obviously getting Austin Deculus back, Cam Wire back, Chasen Hines back, Anthony Bradford back next week, we're going to be better."
The Tigers again struggled to run the ball with any consistency. Running backs Tyrion Davis-Price, Corey Kiner and Armoni Goodwin all look good at times each breaking off a run of more than 20 yards. However, outside of those three runs, LSU had just 61 yards on 33 carries outside of those three runs.
Pass protection continued to plague LSU. McNeese consistently pressured LSU quarterbacks registering three sacks.
These struggles led to a paltry 306 yards of offense. Johnson went 18-27 for 161 yards, three touchdowns, and no turnovers.
With a 24-0 lead in the third quarter, LSU freshman quarterback Garrett Nussmeier saw his first action for the Tigers. Although his stat line looked more like a true freshman struggling in his first action, the young gunslinger showed promise with catchable downfield throws.
Between drops and contested passes, Nussmeier finished 3-10 for 19 yards.
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