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THE GOOD
LSU's offensive line
On paper it looked like a bad match-up, South Carolina's dominating defensive line against an LSU offensive line that has three new starters, two of them freshmen. But it turned out to be the perfect match-up, because the Gamecocks d-line was no match for a team that is one of best when it comes to power football. The end result was 258 yards rushing for LSU and just one sack for the Gamecocks defense.
Jeremy Hill
It's been a long road to LSU for Hill, even though he played his school football just a few miles away from the Baton Rouge campus. In 2010, Hill was one of the top running backs in the south, but prior to national signing day, the former Redemptorist standout was arrested on a sexual assault charge. Hill pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and did not play football at all in 2011. Hill got his first real opportunity on Saturday night and he made the most of it, scoring two touchdowns and rushing for 124 yards.
3rd Down Efficiency
LSU was 1-of-13 on 3rd downs against Florida, but the Tigers were much better against South Carolina, converting 11 of 19. The Tigers were in more manageable 3rd down situations because of a better running game.
Another big key to the victory was the defense's ability to get off the field. South Carolina was 3 of 13 on 3rd down situations. There were three times LSU stopped South Carolina on 3rd and less than three yards to go.
The Fans
Because of some weak opponents and a lot of day games, it's been awhile since Tiger Stadium felt as electric as it was on Saturday night. Coach Les Miles said it well, "That was Death Valley, that was the place where opponent's dreams come to die."
THE BAD
Zach Mettenberger
There are some LSU fans who like to see back-up quarterbacks Stephen Rivers or Rob Bolden get a chance. I still believe Zach Mettenberger is the right guy, but he had his worst game of the season against South Carolina. Mettenberger stared down his receiver on the interception that was nearly returned for a touchdown. He missed a potential touchdown pass to Jarvis Landry, who ran a slant and go and was open near the end zone. His fade pass to tight end Nic Jacobs near the goal line wasn't even close. Mettenberger was 12 of 25 for 1 interception and 148 yards. A performance like that against Texas A&M and Alabama and LSU won't win.
Red Zone
LSU's troubles in the red zone continued on Saturday night. Drew Alleman missed a 32-yard field goal in the 2nd quarter. That's the seventh time this year, LSU has entered the opponents red zone and failed to score. For the night, LSU scored just one touchdown on five trips inside South Carolina's 20-yard line. In the 2nd half, it seemed like LSU didn't trust Mettenberger, so they just tried to pound it into end zone with the running game, which didn't work.
South Carolina was 3-for-3 in the red zone, scoring touchdowns on all three trips. Opponents are 13-of-13 in the red zone against LSU, with 11 touchdowns.
THE UGLY
Alex Hurst
Miles said after the game they wish former starting tackle Alex Hurst the best. So it appears Hurst's career is done at LSU. A very mysterious end to a career for a guy who was a first-team All SEC pick by the league's coaches. There's speculation Hurst left the team, because he didn't want to switch from right to left tackle. Maybe Hurst is just tired of football, but still a strange end to a college career.
That's now five potential starters who are lost for the season.
(Photo by WWL's Joe Marino)
LSU's offensive line
On paper it looked like a bad match-up, South Carolina's dominating defensive line against an LSU offensive line that has three new starters, two of them freshmen. But it turned out to be the perfect match-up, because the Gamecocks d-line was no match for a team that is one of best when it comes to power football. The end result was 258 yards rushing for LSU and just one sack for the Gamecocks defense.
Jeremy Hill
It's been a long road to LSU for Hill, even though he played his school football just a few miles away from the Baton Rouge campus. In 2010, Hill was one of the top running backs in the south, but prior to national signing day, the former Redemptorist standout was arrested on a sexual assault charge. Hill pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and did not play football at all in 2011. Hill got his first real opportunity on Saturday night and he made the most of it, scoring two touchdowns and rushing for 124 yards.
3rd Down Efficiency
LSU was 1-of-13 on 3rd downs against Florida, but the Tigers were much better against South Carolina, converting 11 of 19. The Tigers were in more manageable 3rd down situations because of a better running game.
Another big key to the victory was the defense's ability to get off the field. South Carolina was 3 of 13 on 3rd down situations. There were three times LSU stopped South Carolina on 3rd and less than three yards to go.
The Fans
Because of some weak opponents and a lot of day games, it's been awhile since Tiger Stadium felt as electric as it was on Saturday night. Coach Les Miles said it well, "That was Death Valley, that was the place where opponent's dreams come to die."
THE BAD
Zach Mettenberger
There are some LSU fans who like to see back-up quarterbacks Stephen Rivers or Rob Bolden get a chance. I still believe Zach Mettenberger is the right guy, but he had his worst game of the season against South Carolina. Mettenberger stared down his receiver on the interception that was nearly returned for a touchdown. He missed a potential touchdown pass to Jarvis Landry, who ran a slant and go and was open near the end zone. His fade pass to tight end Nic Jacobs near the goal line wasn't even close. Mettenberger was 12 of 25 for 1 interception and 148 yards. A performance like that against Texas A&M and Alabama and LSU won't win.
Red Zone
LSU's troubles in the red zone continued on Saturday night. Drew Alleman missed a 32-yard field goal in the 2nd quarter. That's the seventh time this year, LSU has entered the opponents red zone and failed to score. For the night, LSU scored just one touchdown on five trips inside South Carolina's 20-yard line. In the 2nd half, it seemed like LSU didn't trust Mettenberger, so they just tried to pound it into end zone with the running game, which didn't work.
South Carolina was 3-for-3 in the red zone, scoring touchdowns on all three trips. Opponents are 13-of-13 in the red zone against LSU, with 11 touchdowns.
THE UGLY
Alex Hurst
Miles said after the game they wish former starting tackle Alex Hurst the best. So it appears Hurst's career is done at LSU. A very mysterious end to a career for a guy who was a first-team All SEC pick by the league's coaches. There's speculation Hurst left the team, because he didn't want to switch from right to left tackle. Maybe Hurst is just tired of football, but still a strange end to a college career.
That's now five potential starters who are lost for the season.
(Photo by WWL's Joe Marino)
