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October 9, 2013
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October 9, 2013
As the final seconds of the first half ticked off the clock in Saturday night’s game between LSU and Mississippi State, Tigers’ junior defensive tackle Anthony Johnson glared at the scoreboard.
What he saw didn’t please his eyes.
“We allowed 23 points,” Johnson said. “That’s too many for a half.”
With 30 more minutes to play, Johnson and LSU’s defense tightened up. That improved play allowed LSU to roll out of Starkville with a blowout victory.
After leading just 28-23 at halftime, the Tigers walloped the Bulldogs 31-3 in the second half to secure a 59-26 win.
Johnson said at halftime, he called the defense together for a meeting – a gathering that the Tigers believe helped them seal the victory.
“We got going a little slow,” Johnson said. “We went in there at halftime and said, ‘You know what? It stops right here.’ We came out and played our tails off and had a great game.”
The defensive improvements were a breath of fresh air for the Tigers’ faithful.
The first half against the Bulldogs was déjà vu to the Tigers’ loss at Georgia two Saturdays ago.
Mississippi State had success both running and passing in the opening half, amassing 264 yards total offense against a hapless LSU defense.
Louisiana native Dak Prescott started under center for the Bulldogs, and he dazzled with his feet in the early stages of the game.
Prescott orchestrated a pair of scoring drives in the first quarter – one he capped with a 28-yard touchdown run.
He then gave way to backup and passing threat Tyler Russell, who hit a pair of deep touchdown passes before halftime.
LSU coach Les Miles said that he had an inkling that the Bulldogs would come out firing because they had a bye week before playing the Tigers.
He said he wasn’t surprised at the team’s offensive diversity in the opening minutes of the game.
“It was a very diverse attack that the Mississippi State team presented us,” Miles said. “The quarterback carry, the counters and the throwing game. We were prepared to handle any of those things.”
But with time to make adjustments, the Tigers stiffened in the final 30 minutes of the game and flattened the Bulldogs’ arsenal, forcing two turnovers and keeping the Bulldogs out of the end zone – arguably the best defensive half the Tigers have played this season.
“We weren’t perfect in any way,” Miles said of his defense. “But we are a young team that’s coming up.”
Once the Tigers were able to make stops, it didn’t take long for LSU to separate themselves from Mississippi State on the scoreboard.
That’s thanks to another dominant effort from the Tigers’ explosive offense.
LSU racked up 563 yards against the Bulldogs – the most yards the Tigers have accumulated in a SEC game in Miles’ tenure.
Quarterback Zach Mettenberger was a force again for the Tigers, completing 25-of-29 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns.
Miles said Mettenberger’s progression from this season to last is “expected.” The senior quarterback already has more touchdown passes than he did all of last season.
“When we recruited him and once he committed, we didn’t look back,” Miles said. “We really felt like he could throw it. I have to be honest with you, he’s tougher (this year). He’s a better leader and bought in – just like some of the other quarterbacks we have had that had success.”
With Mettenberger slicing up the Bulldogs’ secondary, the Bulldogs’ defense had to pull players from the middle of the field to defend the pass.
Once they did, bad things happened for Mississippi State.
LSU rushed for 223 yards against the Bulldogs with six touchdowns coming on the ground. Sophomore Jeremy Hill continued his stellar play, carrying the football 16 times for 157 yards and a touchdown. Tri-parish native and former Patterson High School star Kenny Hilliard also pitched in with 39 yards on six carries with three touchdowns.
Johnson said that if LSU’s defense continues to improve, the Tigers could be a scary foe in the second half of SEC play.
“Score for score, I think our offense is one of the best – if not the best – in the country,” Johnson said. “We have the best wide receiver duo in Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry. We have four running backs who can play great. We are just going to keep fighting for them and they will keep fighting for us.”
Miles didn’t disagree with Johnson’s statements.
The coach said he looks forward to watching LSU’s progression.
“We will certainly build on this,” Miles said. “I think the defense will improve. I know we only allowed three points in the back half of the game and outscored them 31-3. Defensively, I thought we were much improved. Offensively, we continue to throw the football efficiently for big plays.
“It was a team effort again and I think we improved. We are looking forward to playing our next opponent in Tiger Stadium.
LSU’s next test will be stiff – a home contest with Florida. That game will be televised nationally on CBS and will kick off at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.
LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger makes an audible during the Tigers’ blowout win against Mississippi State. Mettenberger tossed for more than 300 yards in the win, which saw the Tigers rack up more than 500 yards. LSU will return to the field on Saturday in a showdown meeting with Florida.
