Mission accomplished on Saturday night. The LSU Tigers had no trouble defeating Army in Tiger Stadium as the Bayou Bengals unleased an aerial attack on the Black Knights they couldn’t stop.
Defensively, LSU posted its first shutout of the season holding Army to 193 yards.
It was another step taken for a defense maligned earlier in the season.
“I’m not ready to nominate this defense for any award, but they are making the progress necessary to continue to build and have the building blocks to have the defense that can be a championship football team,” said LSU Coach Brian Kelly, who won his 300th game of his coaching career.
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Linebacker Omar Speights led LSU with nine tackles, Harold Perkins had seven tackles, and Andre Sam intercepted two passes.
Sam’s individual improvement has helped this defense turn the corner.
“He’s really settled in and playing confident in patrolling the middle of the field,” said Kelly.
The big negative was the injury to cornerback Zy Alexander who suffered a lower leg injury while returning an interception on the final play of the first half.
Kelly didn’t have any news to share after the game and is not slated to speak again until Tuesday.
Cornerback Denver Harris did not play against Army and Kelly said after the game he is inactive. Syracuse transfer Duce Chestnut is also inactive. He has not appeared in a game in a month, and it doesn’t appear he’ll play again for LSU.
Freshman cornerback Ashton Stamps did not dress out, because of an injury, but Kelly is hopeful the former Rummel star will return during the bye week.
With so many guys out, LSU used true freshman Jermiah Hughes from North Las Vegas, Nevada, as a replacement for Alexander in the second half. Freshman Javien Toviano, who is listed as a safety on the roster, also played corner.
Not a good sign as LSU gets ready to play Alabama. The Crimson Tide’s big play receiver is Jermaine Burton, averaging 22 yards a catch.
Jayden Daniels Heisman chances improving
Daniels only played one half, but still put-up big numbers as he threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns. His 86-yard touchdown pass to Brian Thomas Junior was a thing of beauty.
Daniels rolled to his right and while on the move threw deep to Thomas. He hit the former Walker Wildcat in stride, who cruised into the end zone as he already had a few steps on his defender.
A knock-on Daniels is LSU’s two losses. Well, last year’s Heisman winner and a favorite to win again, Caleb Williams, could not lead USC to a win against Utah on Saturday night. That’s the second straight loss for the Trojans.
And another Heisman favorite, Washington QB Michael Penix, had an uninspiring performance against 1-and-6 Arizona State. Penix turned it over three times and did not throw a touchdown in a 15-7 win over the Sun Devils.
Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy threw four touchdown passes in a 49-0 shutout victory over instate rival Michigan State. The Wolverines are 8-0 but have yet to play a ranked opponent.