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THE GOOD
Ronald Martin
I don't know how you can play any better in your first collegiate start than what Ronald Martin did on Saturday night against the Vandals. He intercepted two passes, bringing one of them back for a touchdown. Martin also made four solo tackles. The sophomore from White Castle got the start for Craig Loston, who continues to battle a turf toe.
Balanced Offense
LSU rushed for 250 yards and threw for 222 yards. A lot of different players got into the act. Kenny Hilliard (above) rushed for 116 yards and two touchdowns, Jarvis Landry caught five passes and Russell Shepard got his hands on the football six different times and he had 92 all purpose yards. Getting Shepard involved early in the game seemed to pay off.
Four Interceptions
Defensive Coordinator John Chavis said he wanted to see more turnovers going into the Idaho game, and he got what he wanted. The Tigers picked off four passes, bringing two of them back for a touchdown. Jalen Mills got his second interception of the season and had six tackles. He's looking like a lock for SEC Freshman of the Year.
THE BAD
Mettenberger's Interception
For the second time in three games, Quarterback Zack Mettenberger threw an interception in the red zone. Mettenberger made few mistakes, as he threw for 222 yards and only had five incompletions. But Coach Les Miles will drill the point home this week that turnovers in the red zone are unacceptable. As he said in the post game, you either get three or seven points once you get inside the opponents 20-yard line.
Tackling
Maybe with all of the talk to create turnovers, LSU didn't focus much on tackling. There were plenty of missed tackles, which allowed the Vandals to move the chains in the second quarter. Chavis says tackling will be an emphasis this week.
THE UGLY
Alfred Blue's injury
The Tigers starting running back reportedly left the game on crutches. There's some speculation the injury to Blue could be serious and Miles' seemed concern when he discussed it briefly with reporters after the game. Starters Loston, P.J. Lonergran, and James Wright did not play in the Idaho game because of injuries. The Tigers depth is being tested and so far it's holding up, but how many more injuries can they take?
(Photo by WWL's Joe Marino)
