LSU fans have needed to make sure they're in their seats when the 2021 Tigers take the ball on offense, because one way or the other, the possessions haven't lasted very long.
That's been just as true on drives that ended in a touchdown as drives that ended with a turnover. The Tigers only ran 54 offensive plays in their victory over Mississippi State last week, 34 fewer than the Bulldogs.
"We’ve turned into a big-play offense," LSU coach Ed Orgeron said on SportsTalk with Kristian Garic, Mike Detillier and Bobby Hebert this week. "We want to take shots."
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And yes, the've taken those shots. Quarterback Max Johnson was the first LSU player to throw for four touchdowns of 40-plus yards in the same game since former Tigers QB Rohan Davey achieved that feat in the 1999 season.
Of the 21 LSU scoring drives through four weeks, eight have lasted five plays or fewer. The Tigers only have four drives this season have lasted 10-plus plays. But it hasn't limited the scoring output, and the consistent shot play attack is based on a tip Orgeron pulled from the Saints. He spent a season in New Orleans as a defensive line coach in 2008.
"We want to take two shots per quarter, eight shots per game, just like the Saints," Orgeron said. "We want to loosen them up, and get more when we can."
With the Tigers' vast array of talented, young receivers, the big-play threat is an area LSU will try to continue hitting on. But Orgeron knows the team needs more consistency in the run game, the short passing game and better OL to extend drives when those shot plays don't land. The defense appeared to fatigue in the second half against Mississippi State, and a few mental lapses allowed for late touchdowns and a Bulldogs rally that fell short when it failed to recover an onside kick.
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"We don’t want to rely on just the big play. … I don’t want our quarterback back there getting hit,” Orgeron said.
One thing that could help in that regard: LT Cam Wire is expected to return this week after an injury that's kept him out multiple weeks.
Listen to Orgeron's full interview in the player below.
