REPORT CARD: LSU-State Grades Are In

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TigerRag.com issues the final marks on Saturday’s clash with Miss. State

by Matt Deville
Tiger Rag Senior Editor

(At left) Tyson Jackson had five tackles versus Miss. State (Photo by Steve Franz/LSU)

There were plenty of good things that happened on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium.

Winning the game was one of them.

LSU (4-0, 2-0 SEC) wasn’t exactly sharp, but did just enough to take care of Miss. State in the SEC home opener Saturday evening.

“We’re a very capable team from this point forward, but we have to play better than that, and that will be the push,” said LSU coach Les Miles.

A well-timed open date falls next weekend as the Tigers begin making preparations for the trip to Florida on Oct. 11.

“The off week could not have come at a better time,” said LSU defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois. “There are a couple of people nicked here and there. The extra week for healing will help. We will be in the training room and on the field preparing every day for this Florida team.”

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Quarterbacks:
Jarrett Lee got the first start of his LSU career and made the most of the situation. Although some of his throws weren’t quite on the mark, Lee’s receivers did a good job of making difficult catches. Lee’s numbers reflected their efforts as well with Lee completing 18 of 27 passes for 261 and two touchdowns. He did throw his second interception in two weeks and third of the season. Jordan Jefferson got in the game for two plays and nearly scored his first touchdowns as a Tiger on a two-yard run.
Grade: B

Running Backs:
How can you argue with Charles Scott? Scott is the nation’s fifth-leading rusher after Saturday’s 141-yard performance. He again displayed flashy moves and durability (27 carries). Keiland Williams and Richard Murphy also had a couple of nice carries. Quinn Johnson did commit the only error coughing up a fumble in the second quarter.
Grade: A

Wide Receivers:
Brandon LaFell and Demetrius Byrd are quickly becoming one of the hottest receiving tandems in the nation. You’d never know LSU had quarterback issues with the numbers these two have been producing. LaFell and Byrd combined for nine catches and 153 yards. LaFell had a career night with seven catches (100 yards) and Byrd hauled in a 43-yard touchdown grab. Tight end Richard Dickson was heavily involved this week with four catches for 43 yards.
Grade: A+

Offensive Line:
Paving the way for one of the nation’s leading rushers, the LSU offensive line has proven itself as one of the best in the nation. The Tigers’ front five did allow one sack but was flagged three times for motion penalties.
Grade: A-

Defensive Line:
LSU co-defensive coordinators Doug Mallory and Bradley Dale Peveto are making sure the Tiger defensive line is staying fresh. Against Auburn, nine different defensive linemen played in the game. Ten defensive big men got in the game versus Miss. State. It’s good to have depth, but is rotating them in and out hurting continuity? LSU allowed 110 rushing yards, a pair of rushing touchdowns and logged only one sack of Bulldog quarterbacks.
Grade: B-

Linebackers:
The LSU linebackers are playing well without captain Darry Beckwith. Beckwith missed his second straight game with a banged up knee. In his absence Jacob Cutrera, Kelvin Sheppard and Perry Riley are showing out. Riley led the team in tackles with nine stops and Cutrera was third with six, including one for a loss. The problem is, the linebackers are getting caught up in mismatches in coverage.
Grade: B-

Secondary:
There is now cause for concern. The LSU secondary, while deep and talented, is giving up too many big plays. And with games against Florida, Georgia and Alabama looming, there are issues that need to be addressed and resolved. Receivers are finding too many seams in coverage, and quarterbacks are being able to find them way too often.
Grade: C-

Special Teams:
Colt David continues climbing not only the LSU charts by the SEC record book as well. Keiland Williams has thrived on kickoff returns and Brady Dalfrey looks like a different player after the first two games. Dalfrey is averaging 47 yards per punt (eight kicks) over the last two weeks. Punt returns are still somewhat shaky and LSU showed they have issues trying to recover an opponent’s onside kick.
Grade: A-