A debate could be had about whether LSU could've -- or should've -- gotten the showdown with Alabama into overtime, had they settled for Cade York field goals rather than 4th-down heaves to the end zone.
But Ed Orgeron said it going in to Tuscaloosa. He said it coming out after the 20-14 loss. And he'll likely keep saying it for the remainder of his games as LSU's head coach. The Tigers are playing to win, not get to overtime.
“We’re going for it. When we walked in the stadium we were going for it. There was no question," Orgeron said. "We were going for the win the whole time.”
Orgeron's squad didn't fall short of that mantra, even while falling short in the game. They went for it on 4th down seven times in the game, converting five. LSU was just 5-18 on third down opportunities.
It started on the Tigers' first offensive series. LSU lined up to punt, but called a timeout. When they returned it was to run a fake punt-pass that they'd drawn up for an Avery Atkins jump pass to tight end Jack Mashburn. It's a play Atkins has been practicing 20 times after each LSU practice, Orgeron said. It worked to perfection for 26 yards and kickstarted the first LSU scoring drive of the day.
“We were not gonna let this crowd intimidate us. That wasn’t going to happen," Orgeron said. "We were coming into this house to win the game, and so was I. So I was having fun with it. It’s part of college football.”
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NOTHING TO LOSE?
LSU's coach isn't a fan of saying he or the Tigers has nothing to lose, even if he's out of a job after the year. He credited his defense with working hard and improving during the open week. That group stood up despite key players missing at seemingly every position.
Orgeron said he's aware people tire of him lauding great weeks of practice, but that he could tell from watching his defense work that they'd come out hot in Tuscaloosa. It was a similar refrain that was heard before and after an upset of Florida earlier this season.
“This has got to lead into the last three games. We’ve got to play the last three games with the same fire, the same intensity," Orgeron said. "The same fire we had on defense and gotta be better on offense. I told them, next week at Arkansas, we’ve got to get ready. Gotta get ready to play well.”
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LOSING THE TURNOVER BATTLE
Ed Orgeron pointed to the turnover battle first when spelling out what the Tigers needed to do to secure the upset. They lost that battle 2-1, with both giveaways quickly turning into Alabama touchdowns.
The first turnover came shortly before halftime, with a Max Johnson pass tipped directly into the waiting arms of an Alabama player. The second came on a ball stripped from running back Ty Davis-Price early in the third quarter.
“Costly. Costly. That turnover before the first half should’ve never happened," Orgeron said. " … We knew we had to win the turnover battle to win the game. Those were two costly turnovers. No doubt.”
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DAMONE CLARK DAZZLES AGAIN
“Great player. I think he’s one of the best linebackers if not the best linebacker in the country," Orgeron said. "He’s big, physical. He’s got a heart. Great leader for us. Smart. I can’t say enough good things about him. LSU’s had some great linebackers. He’s one of them. I think he’s going to go on to the NFL and have a great career."