One thing that was clear after LSU's season-opening loss to UCLA: The Tigers were still in need of a tune-up.
They got that on both sides of the ball in a 34-7 rout of McNeese State, but coach Ed Orgeron made it clear afterward there was still a bit left to go before this roster meets its full potential, particularly on offense.
"Not good enough. Starts with protection first. Got to protect the quarterback, we got to get better," Orgeron said. "We got to stay ahead of the chains and just need to keep continuing to make improvement."
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McNeese State rolled up five saves and LSU converted on just 4 of its 15 third downs in the game, but the coach was hopeful some of those protection issues get ironed out once the OL group gets back veteran Austin Deculus and starter Cam Wire, both of whom were hurt against UCLA. The team was also without Chasen Hines and Anthony Bradford. Orgeron said earlier in the week that he hoped to return some of the OL depth after a one-week absence.
But are LSU's woes enough to change the dynamic of the offense a bit? Heavier looks with tight ends kept in to block could be in the future. The Tigers get another tune-up opportunity this week against Central Michigan before SEC play begins.
"We're going to have slide the line, going to have to keep a tight end in, have to keep a back in, whatever it takes to protect the quarterback because all these routes and all these good receivers running down the field," Orgeron said. "if we can't protect the quarterback, it's not going to work."
ON THE ORGERON BOWL
Ed Orgeron conceded that the first few plays going against his son, Cody, were a bit unusual. That faded quickly, though, and his defense turned up the pressure on the McNeese State passer.
While dad was happy to see his son got out of the game unscathed, he wasn't surprised. His son can handle it.
"I've watched all his games. There's been some games he's been sacked a bunch too, but he can handle it," Ed said. "He's a big man. He knew what was coming in. I'm just glad he didn't get hurt and hopefully they can move on next week and have a great game."
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Cody Orgeron was sacked 8 times and took even more hits, but completed just 10-of-20 passes for 91 yards, but he walked out of Tiger Stadium knowing he through a touchdown pass in the vaunted stadium he's always wanted to play in with a 44-yard touchdown to Carlos Williams in the 4th quarter.
CADE YORK IS A WEAPON
Orgeron has said all offseason that Cade York is probably the best kicker in the nation. On Saturday we saw exactly why.
The junior not only broke the Tiger Stadium record for field goals, he did it twice. The first came on a 55-yard field goal in the first half, and he connected from 56 yards early in the fourth quarter. In his career he's 12 of 14 on attempts from 50-plus yards, a feat that's rare to see at any level of football.
"The young man is an outstanding kicker and an outstanding young man," Orgeron said after the game, Orgeron said. "He's a competitor."