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LSU Football

Tigers were in attack mode against Georgia

October 15, 2018
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Just seven days ago, no one associated with the LSU football program was in a good mood.

The Tigers had just suffered their first defeat of the season – a 27-19 setback at the hands of Florida at The Swamp. More so than what took place on the field, coach Ed Orgeron was a little miffed at the mindset during the game against the Gators.

“We were pissed on Monday (after the Florida game),” said Orgeron, at his weekly media luncheon Monday. “We decided last Monday that we were going to attack all game against Georgia. We were going to take shots down the field. We were going to go for it and fourth downs.”

In addition, Orgeron and offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger decided to go up-tempo against the Bulldogs as part of being in attack mode. The Tigers took little time between plays more in the Georgia game than in any other contest.

Orgeron opted to go for the first down on four fourth-and-one situations against Georgia. LSU was successful on all four fourth-down conversion attempts. Joe Burrow picked up the necessary yardage three times, including one which produced a touchdown.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire ran 16 yards to pick up the first down on the other fourth-down play. There was only one surprising call when Orgeron did not punt on fourth-and-one from the Tigers’ 38 with LSU on top 13-0. Burrow gained the one yard on that try.

“We decided during the week that we were going to go for it on fourth-and-one or less, even on our 38,” Orgeron said. “We were going to attack on any chance we had. The 38 was a little dicey, but it worked.”

For the second time this season, the LSU defense responded after a somewhat poor outing. Louisiana Tech’s J’Mar Smith passed for 330 yards and three touchdowns against the Tigers. The following week, LSU held Ole Miss quarterback Jordan Ta’amu to 178 passing yards.

Florida picked up 215 rushing yards in its victory against the Tigers. Georgia, which was averaging more than 240 rushing yards per game, finished with less than half that total. The Bulldogs picked up 113 yards on the ground. Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm was unable to pick up the slack through the air.

“It all starts with ‘Tell the Truth’ Monday,” Orgeron said. “We get the players together and give them three things they did well and three things they did not do well. The things which were broke we went to fix.”

Georgia coach Kirby Smart pointed out how physical LSU played against his team. Smart felt that quality was the major reason for the Bulldogs’ 36-16 setback.

“We are going to be physical,” Orgeron said. “It starts with the players we recruit. Physicality is part of our DNA. We want players who want to be physical. We have great one-on-one competition every Tuesday. We practice physical.”

The victory against Georgia kept the Tigers in control of their own destiny in the Southeastern Conference Western Division race. Of course, top-ranked Alabama is on the LSU schedule in three weeks.

However, the Tigers cannot think about the Crimson Tide with Mississippi State making a visit this Saturday. Last season, LSU was handed a 37-7 whipping at the hands of the Bulldogs in Starkville.

“This is a tough Mississippi State team,” Orgeron said. “Last year, they out-physicaled us on both sides of the football. We still have that taste in our mouth from that game.”

The 30-point margin of defeat at Mississippi State was just the fifth such loss for the Tigers since the start of the 2000 season. Quarterback Nick Fitzgerald, who sparked the Bulldogs’ rout, is back for another shot at LSU. Fitzgerald ran for 195 yards in Mississippi State’s 23-9 victory against Auburn.

“Mississippi State switched up its offense and ran for 349 yards against Auburn,” Orgeron said. “Fitzgerald is one of the best quarterbacks in the country. He is a very dangerous runner.”

According to Orgeron, guard Garrett Brumfield will not be available for the Mississippi State game because of a knee injury. True freshman Chasen Hines, who replaced starter Adrian Magee at left guard for the second series, will be Brumfield’s replacement against the Bulldogs.

“Chasen did very well against Georgia,” Orgeron said. “He is very athletic and he can move his feet. Sometimes against Georgia, he was unsure and didn’t explode as he can.”

The Tigers will be playing their eighth straight game Saturday. Following an open date is the contest with Alabama. Orgeron will have his players in the right frame of mind for Mississippi State.

“We have to stick to the process,” Orgeron said. “We can’t look ahead. I know the team may be a little tired. I will probably pull off some this week. I’ve been coaching for 35 years. I have a feel for what the players need. If it’s too hard, I’ll scale back. Each week is different. I have to feel the pulse of the team.”

LSU Tigers Dooney & Bourke Women's Team Color Hobo Purse - Purple
LSU Tigers Dooney & Bourke Women's Team Color Hobo Purse - Purple

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