By GLENN GUILBEAU, Tiger Rag Editor
Before LSU’s offense continues its red alert panic in the red zone after the disaster in the Crimson zone last Saturday against Alabama, Tigers’ wide receiver Jackson Harris has a plan.
“Scoring points ultimately fuels the momentum of the game and of our team and the crowd,” Harris said at player interviews on Tuesday after the Tigers lost 31-13 to Alabama on Saturday in Tiger Stadium after repeatedly getting deep into Alabama territory but not scoring.
Harris caught a game-high 11 passes against Alabama for 166 yards, including 55 yards after the catches. But zero touchdowns.
“So yeah, it would have definitely helped if we could finish some the drives early on,” he said.
The No. 14 Tigers (6-3, 3-3 Southeastern Conference) will get another chance – their last chance at home – on Saturday against No. 7 Texas (7-2, 4-2 SEC) at 6:30 p.m. on ABC.
“We can’t dwell on the last game,” Harris said. “We’ve got a really good team coming in. You worry about last week, and you’re not going to have your best for Texas.”
LSU’s offensive woes once they got inside the 30-yard line or closer against Alabama remains a mystery, particularly since the Tigers put up 457 yards in all to 285 by Alabama, which easily scored touchdowns when it got close.
“They took a really aggressive approach when we got close,” LSU coach Lane Kiffin said. “And we didn’t make them pay for that.”
LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt completed 35 of 47 passes for 380 yards for a .744 completion percentage. But zero touchdowns.
“We have weapons everywhere,” Harris said. “Out wide, in the slot, at tight end, at quarterback, running back. They have to account for all of us.”
And Alabama did.
Trey’Dez Green caught 10 passes for 85 yards. But zero touchdowns. Not even for a 6-foot-7 tight end, who is an obvious mismatch on paper and often in games. But Kiffin and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. didn’t have Leavitt try to throw a jump ball in the end zone to Green, who would’ve had the height advantage.
“I don’t get a a lot of one-on-one looks in the red zone,” said Green, who was often double teamed. “I know a lot of people game plan for me in the red zone. But somebody else is going to be open.”
Maybe, but Leavitt was under such a heavy rush through much of the game, he may not have seen them. Often, Alabama put extensive pressure on Leavitt with only three or four rushing. And he suffered four sacks and four official hurries.
“You’ve got to trust the coaches’ plan,” Green said. “We played a good football game. The ball just didn’t roll our way. We just got to be 1-0 this week. We’ve fought adversity before. This ain’t nothing new.”
Green says it’s time to move on.
“You’ve got to turn the page,” he said. “We had 24 hours to harp over the loss against Alabama. We’re in a good head space right now, and everybody knows what needs to be done.”
That has something to do with the red zone.
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