The Upside - LSU

[SWC75]

- I posted earlier that there are no moral victories but there are encouraging defeats and discouraging victories. You want to come out of a game with a win and with a good feeling about how the team played so you can be optimistic about the future. We didn’t get the win but we did get the optimism. Looking at the rest of the schedule, I see a lot of games that would be upsets if we won them but only one game that scares me: Clemson and that’s in the Dome.

- Twice it looked like we were going to blown out: after that first play, (it’s the type of thing that happens in blow-outs), and when it was 3-21. But we didn’t panic either time and got back in the game. All we were asking for was a chance to win at the end. We got it. We didn’t win it but we were right there against a team that’s supposed to be much better than we are.

- The SU-LSU series has actually been very competitive. We were ahead for much of the game in the 1965 Sugar Bowl before falling 10-13. Then we handled them in the 1988 Hall of Fame Bowl 23-10. Two years ago we slugged it out with them in the Dome, losing 24-34. Now we got down there and lose 26-35. That’s 83-92. They know Syracuse can play football down in the Bayou. Maybe some of those high school players might like to come up and play for the ‘Cuse if LSU doesn’t get them first. Hey, it’s better than Tulane.

- Eric Dungey has proven he’s one of the better quarterbacks in the country. He had 289 yards total offense tonight and accounted for 2 scores. He was clearly the best QB on the field. A tough kid and a leader, too.

- Steve Ismael finally looked like the top-flight receiver he seemed to be two years ago. He seemed to lose confidence becoming part of Amba Etta Tawo’s supporting cast. But tonight he got separation, made some great catches and caught a big TD pass. He will probably continue to be the nation’s leader in receptions. He now has 45 for 534 yards and finally got that first TD catch. (I would still love to have had Amba out there in this game. Jim Brown would have helped, too.)

- Ervin Phillips wasn’t supposed to play but did and caught 11 passes for 93 yards and a score.

- Devin (Offense) Butler, a former high school quarterback, caught two passes for 18 yards, ran the ball for 6 and threw a 43 yard touchdown pass.

- Our defense is clearly miles better than it was last year. Our front seven more than held their own in this game, even after Kendall Coleman went out. They did the primary job of a defense – keeping you team in the game until the offense can figure out a way to win it. That’s all we can ask.

- Parris Bennett had one of the best games I’ve seen from an SU linebacker with 12 tackles, 8 solo, three for a loss, one quarterback hurry and a pass deflection. He was all over the place!

- The kicking game was Almost flawless. Cole Murphy made all his placekicks and the only kickoff return was stopped at the 13 yard line. He did kick the ball out of bounds once again. Sterling Hofrichter averaged 46.7 yards per punt and we finally learned to down it close to the goal line, which led to a safety and then a touchdown. They tried two different punters who averaged 38.6.

- I have to admit it: I liked our uniforms. I wouldn’t mind seeing that combination again- preferably whenever there is a sufficient contrast to the other team’s unis. They are distinctive and they are Orange.

2-2 with 8+ to go

LET’S GO ORANGE!!!

 

[cuse10]

The pace of the game wore LSU out. If you take any positives away, that's one of them. The home run plays are sexy, but the screen passes and throws to the slot force everyone to run East to West. Syracuse is a good conditioned team. We saw that tonight.

 

[SWC75]

The pace of the game wore LSU out. If you take any positives away, that's one of them. The home run plays are s e xy, but the screen passes and throws to the slot force everyone to run East to West. Syracuse is a good conditioned team. We saw that tonight.

I think it forces them to run East or West. It's rushing the passer that tires them out.

 

[Crazylegs]

I think it forces them to run East or West. It's rushing the passer that tires them out.

That scramble and throw by Butler was very difficult throwing to right while running left. Give him the ball more!

 

[SUskibum]

Another one to add to the list:

We were able to score 26 points (24 offensive) without the benefit of field position or big plays. Our offense was able to successfully string together multiple play drives ending in either points or a field position flip (how many times did they start inside their own 10?)

 

[CuseCactus]

LSU got LUCKY. The dungey pic. The dropped TD. We had them on their heels. In the Swamp. I'll take it. Future is very bright.

 

[bballbeadle]

I thought this was a VERY encouraging defeat! We looked better than them! I expected so much worse and so I am an aggravating Pollyanna about this loss.

 

[tbonezone]

kicking game was indeed superb. but still not crazy about the ROLLERBALL numbers on the jerseys.

 

[bigmike]

Repping so we'll on national TV is also a positive. Cant hurt to have the world see you go toe to toe with an SEC power regardless of whether this is a down year for them or not.

 

[tbonezone]

if we're gonna go "old school'" let's add some diodes and go TRON instead.

 

[Chip]

LSU got LUCKY. The dungey pic. The dropped TD. We had them on their heels. In the Swamp. I'll take it. Future is very bright.

We played in Gainesville? Maybe that explains all the empty seats.

 

[tbonezone]

We played in Gainesville? Maybe that explains all the empty seats.[/QUOTE
NOTHING gets BAYOU.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Two things.

1, I liked the Butler passes. Small sample size, but he looks good. Wouldn't mind seeing that continue to develop.

2, seeing us feature Moe Neal in the passing game for a little while was pretty cool. I think good things will happen if we get Moe the ball more IN THE PASSING GAME.