LSU couldn’t back up talk against Florida

By David Moorman  |   Tuesday, October 14, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

LSU Tigers
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It’s a good thing LSU didn’t bring junior defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois to its game at Florida last Saturday. It saved Francois from getting the kind of whipping that the Tigers took in losing their first game of the season, 51-21.

Commentary: The worst setback in LSU coach Les Miles’ four-year tenure began poorly and went downhill from there. Safety Danny McCray mistimed his jump on the game’s third play from scrimmage, and what could have been an interception resulted in a 70-yard touchdown pass for Florida.

The Gators, with what appeared to be quicker and better-prepared athletes, didn’t need any help, but LSU gave it to them anyway. During the week, Francois incited Florida with comments indicating that the LSU defense wanted to hurt Gators quarterback Tim Tebow. After that, Francois didn’t make the trip, ostensibly because of a groin injury suffered two weeks earlier against Mississippi State.

Florida’s energized defense held LSU junior Charles Scott to 35 yards rushing after he had reeled off four consecutive 100-yard games to begin the season. Worse yet, Scott became the first LSU tailback in 612 carries to lose a fumble when he dropped a third-down handoff with the Tigers driving.

Without Scott’s usual yardage, redshirt freshman Jarrett Lee was exposed for the inexperienced quarterback that he is. Besides several decision-making mistakes that he made, Lee threw two interceptions, one of which was returned for a 52-yard touchdown.

LSU wrapped touchdowns around either side of halftime, but as soon as the Tigers closed to within 20-14, Florida responded with a touchdown of its own and stole the momentum.

LSU’s season suddenly has gone from one of promise to one of concern and doubt. The Tigers visit South Carolina on Saturday and have home dates upcoming against Georgia and Alabama.

The Tigers' once-impressive victory over now-lowly Auburn doesn’t carry much weight with it any more.

After seeming a step slow and out of sync against Florida, defending BCS national champion LSU must recapture its energy and chemistry if it hopes to remain among the nation’s elite.

Save for safety Harry Coleman, the secondary has proved vulnerable all season. Don’t be surprised at changes in personnel and coverage.

Something must be done to prevent LSU’s first loss from becoming a trend.

Fan Pulse: South Carolina isn’t a familiar figure to the LSU faithful. The Tigers have faced South Carolina fewer times than any other Southeastern Conference opponent, leading the series, 15-2-1.

Injury Update: Francois should return against the Gamecocks. Sophomore quarterback Andrew Hatch may see increased action after returning from a one-game absence because of a concussion; senior linebacker Darry Beckwith started against Florida after a knee injury sidelined him for two games.
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About David Moorman

Dave Moormann is an award-winning journalist, who has covered LSU athletics since 1980. He began his coverage with the Baton Rouge Advocate, where he was a writer and editor from 1980-98. In 1996, he authored a book on the history of LSU football entitled, "Fighting Tigers Handbook: Stories, Stats ...
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