Ed Orgeron began his Monday press conference as if he expected difficult questions, and wanted to make something very clear beforehand.
He was going to give answers to what he saw ailing his team on Saturday, but the buck stopped with him. His critiques weren't about pointing fingers, but identifying the problems to fix.
"I’m going to take full responsibility for everything that happens in this program," Orgeron said, "and that’s just the way it’s going to be."
Orgeron also appeared to take some potential advice on ways to assist first-year play-caller Jake Peetz. Could that be in the form of his predecessor joining Peetz up the in the box during games?
It’s an option LSU has considered, Orgeron said. Ensminger has already been serving in a consultant role. The Tigers coach said “good idea,” and that he’d consider speaking with Ensminger about the possibility.
Ensminger, a former LSU quarterback, had been the play-caller for the past few years at LSU, a run that included one of the best offensive seasons in college football history. Joe Brady served as the passing game coordinator for those teams, and now serves as the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers. Peetz's understanding of Joe Brady’s schemes was a factor in him landing the OC gig at LSU.
But keep in mind, as Orgeron added: “I think Steve is enjoying his retirement."
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LSU’s coach made it clear he’s been pleased with Peetz’ performance thus far, but didn’t shy away from explaining the need to simplify. He called to the “warp” sets that speed up the pace of things as something his offense has gotten away from. Plays have been getting in late or changed late at the line, prompting penalties or burned timeouts.
Spending too much time trying to get into the perfect play is what’s costing the time and potential good plays, Orgeron said.
"There are some things that are very fixable," the coach said. "We just need to settle down, mostly just call the play and let it go and not try to change it."
WHAT ABOUT THE NIX SHOW?
Even while taking responsibility for everything, Orgeron put extra emphasis on correcting the mistakes that helped allow Auburn quarterback Bo Nix to run, and run, and run ... you know the drill. LSU's defense consistently put pressure on the junior QB only to get thrown off, juked or run away from. If those plays end in tackles of the quarterback, it's likely a different ballgame.
Defenders were taking poor angles, the coach explains.
“With the defensive linemen, which I help coach so I’m responsible, of heading for the upfield shoulder. A lot of times we didn’t do that. A lot of times we didn’t take the proper angles on him."
Two plays in particular stood out, with Nix extending for what seemed like forever to convert on 4th down. One ended in a score to tight end Tyler Fromm, the other went for a first down after the QB had retreated 20-yards back from where the ball was snapped.
It was a type of performance Orgeron said he's not sure he's seen before in his coaching career. Nix went into the week unclear if he'd start the game at all, a week after being benched for TJ Finley as Auburn was nearly upset by Georgia State. Finley came into the game for one series against LSU, which ended of a failed 4th down attempt,
"He played lights out. And to have a quarterback make us miss that many tackles, I think that’s the first time that I have seen that as a coach, and I’ve been coaching for a long time," Orgeron said. "So give him credit. He played with extra effort.”
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