All of LSU’s flaws and weaknesses were exposed in an ugly second half and loss to Auburn Saturday evening.
The Tigers led 19-10 at the end of the third quarter, but were shut out in the final frame and fell 24-19. LSU’s inability to find a running game and lack of efficiency in the red zone were two key factors that fueled LSU’s first loss to Auburn in Tiger Stadium since 1999.
LSU squeaked out a victory in Starkville despite a flagging offensive attack in the second half. They couldn’t pull the same escape this time. Max Johnson and the offense struggled to move the ball after halftime and LSU was limited to just two first downs in the fourth quarter.
Auburn QB Bo Nix’s Houdini effort to escape pressure all night kept the LSU defense on its heels. The LSU pass rush that piled up sacks in three straight wins didn’t manage a single sack against Auburn.
Even in the loss, the Tigers did have some highlights, and we’ll break down in this week’s segment.
THE GOOD: Special Teams
The one key to LSU leading for three quarters of this game was the play in the special teams department. Cade York continues to be one of the best kickers in college football connecting on four field goals on the night, including a 51 yarder.
The other big play in the game came when Jay Ward blocked an Auburn field goal attempt in the third quarter. LSU was leading by six at the time and that block gave LSU great field position to start the following possession. The Tigers cashed in with another York field goal, but that would mark their final points of the night.
More good: Kayshon Boutte
LSU’s top target showed up once again at the start of the ball game. On LSU’s first possession, Boutte rolled up 99 yards receiving on three catches, capped off with a pretty 31-yard touchdown. The Auburn defense clamped down on him the rest of the way, only allowing 28 yards receiving for Boutte the rest of the way. The production for LSU’s top WR is something the Tigers can continue to rely on each and every week.
More wow: Bo Nix
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Give the Auburn QB credit in this one. After being benched last week at home, Nix came alive on Saturday night while dodging and ducking every LSU defender with an eye on tackling him. TJ Finley came in for Auburn’s third possession, a drive that ended in a turnover on downs after climbing into LSU territory. After that drive, Nix returned to field and played one of the best games we’ve seen out of an Auburn QB since Cam Newton.
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THE BAD: Red Zone Efficiency
The LSU offense put their foot on the throttle to start the game, but weren’t able to extend any drives the rest of the way. LSU’s red zone offense settled for too many field goals, with the lone touchdown of the night coming on their first drive.
Tiger fans will contribute numerous reasons to why LSU lost on Saturday night, but the inability to get 7s in the red zone will haunt any team. The Tigers had drives stalled at the 5, 8 and 14 yard line. That’s 12 extra points traded for Cade York chip shots.
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More bad: LSU Pass Rush
The LSU defense came into the game with 18 sacks on the season. Nix wasn’t having any of that as he avoided tackle after tackle in his best Johnny Manziel impression. LSU’s defense did everything they could tonight, and the blame should not be placed solely on the defensive line, but the lack of sacks was a momentum changer.
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THE UGLY: Whatever you want to call the run game
It’s pretty obvious the lack of a running game played a huge factor in LSU’s loss to Auburn, finishing the game with just 29 yards rushing. Last week LSU had to cling on for a win over Mississippi State because they were unable to grind out any possessions down the stretch. That finally came back to bite LSU on Saturday night.
In that game against State, the Tigers picked up just one first down in the fourth quarter. That ultimately led back to the comeback. Against Auburn, the LSU offense only managed two first downs in the fourth essentially going three and out on their first three drives of the quarter.
Coach O and staff now find themselves answering questions about the offense next week as LSU heads to Kentucky. The Wildcats are coming off a big win over Florida, so we’ll see if there’s a hangover effect lingering in Lexington. Otherwise, the hot seat will continue to heat up if the coaching staff can’t get things figured out quickly.