Following LSU’s shutout victory over Army, Tigers Coach Brian Kelly said he wasn’t ready to nominate his defense for any award, but acknowledged it has made strides since giving up a school record 706 yards of offense against Ole Miss. So, what has changed?
Harold Perkins Jr thriving in his new role
After spending his freshman season as a pass rush specialist, the plan in the offseason was to make the sophomore an inside linebacker. After looking lost in the Florida State game, LSU scrapped the plan and moved him to the outside.
It still took a couple of games to figure out exactly how to use him. In the Ole Miss game, he played along the defensive line and didn’t’ have much of an impact, whiffing on four tackles.
Heading into the Missouri game, the coaching staff moved him to strongside linebacker. Instead of making him just an edge rusher, they decided to also use him in pass coverage. Now, opposing offenses are not sure if Perkins will rush the passer or drop back in coverage. He can perform both tasks very well.
He got the game ball for his performance against Auburn and if LSU goes on to repeat as SEC West champs, his interception in the second quarter versus Missouri will be considered the turning point.
Pete Jenkins joining the team as an analyst
After the embarrassing loss to Ole Miss, Coach Brian Kelly picked up the phone and asked defensive line coach guru Pete Jenkins to come to Baton Rouge and help his D-line. The group needed direction. Jimmy Lindey was hired as the defensive line coach but suffered a medical episode before preseason camp.
John Jancek tried to fill the role as defensive line coach, but it’s not his specialty.
When LSU hired back Jenkins, the phrase around Baton Rouge was “It can’t hurt.” I think based on the team’s performance and listening to the players, Jenkins’ teachings have mattered.
“Just to have an old mind like him around, somebody who really invented D-Line play. Doubling down on the little things with eyes, good technique, hand replacement, that will go a long way,” said LSU defensive tackle Maason Smith.
Smith was recruited by former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron when coming out of Terrebonne High School. Orgeron, a former D-line coach himself, looked up to Jenkins.
Smith said Jenkins teachings remind him of his freshman season with Orgeron at the helm.
“Transitioning from different coaches from my freshman year with Coach O and speaking the same language O was speaking, than going to Jamar Cain, they speak two differing languages, so hearing the O language (from Jenkins) was just refreshing to me,” said Smith.
Tackling has improved
The two biggest problems with LSU’s defense earlier in the season were missed assignments and tackling. You don’t see as many missed assignments. It’s been a few games since you last saw an LSU defensive player look around and wonder what happened after giving up a big play.
Now that they have got the assignments down, the tackling has improved as the players are now in the right position.
According to Pro Football Focus, LSU only had five total missed tackles in the Missouri and Auburn games.