Tag: Ali Gaye

LSU Morning Rush: Myles Brennan, injury lists, and Coach O gets roasted

The top stories of the day involving the LSU Tigers

A look around the LSU landscape for the top stories. Updates on Myles Brennan, the latest list of injuries, and Ed Orgeron gets roasted for comments after the Kentucky loss.

We kick it off with the “super senior” quarterback Myles Brennan from The Advocate.

An update on Myles Brennan

Leah Vann of The Advocate provided an update on Myles Brennan when head coach Ed Orgeron met with the media on Monday.

LSU head coach Ed Orgeron had little to say on fifth year senior quarterback Myles Brennan’s return on Monday.

“He’s progressing as expected,” Orgeron said. “I don’t know if he’s going to be available before the Alabama game that open week or not.  That was our target date we had looked at. I don’t know the status of that yet.”

The LSU injury list is getting long

As Brody Miller of The Athletic reports, the Tigers will be without Kayshon Boutte, Ali Gaye, Joseph Evans, and Major Burns. On top of the list that already had Derek Stingley Jr and Andre Anthony. It is a rough time for the Tigers, especially with the next three opponents.

Ed Orgeron shredded for postgame comment after LSU’s loss to Kentucky

Following the loss to Kentucky, social media wasn’t kind to the head coach after his comments about the Wildcats offense. Saturday Down South put together a list of tweets for the comments.

As you might expect, Orgeron is getting shredded on Twitter for that comment. Orgeron being surprised by the Cats pounding the rock raises the question of how closely he studied the film. Kentucky’s Chris Rodriguez entered Saturday with 104 carries for 621 rushing yards, a conference-leading average of 124.20 yards per game.

Five reasons why LSU will get a win at Kentucky

With their backs against the wall, here is how the LSU Tigers can leave Lexington victorious.

LSU doesn’t want a win Saturday in Lexington. In needs one.

Stress has already been put on the Tiger coaching staff. The offense stalled in a disappointing loss to Auburn. On the flip side, the defense is playing inspired but not at the level it can. Neither group has seen everything clicking in a single game.

That needs to change moving forward with the string of games left on the schedule against teams in the top 25. Fans and pundits alike are already talking about how hot Coach Ed Orgeron’s seat should be.

Here are five reasons why the Tigers could upset the Kentucky Wildcats.

LSU currently leads the nation in sacks and yards lost

When it comes to getting to the quarterback, LSU is among the best in the country.

The LSU Tigers had one area they needed to improve upon after last season. Their defense ranked 39th in the nation with 24 sacks a season ago. Bo Pelini exits and in comes Daronte Jones, the defense has already seen a bump in production when rushing the passer. The team went from 2.4 sacks per game to 5.7 this season through three games.

Their 17 sacks are tied with Marshall for the top spot in the nation. They are the top team in terms of yards lost on sacks with 118. At the top of the individual leaderboard, edge defender BJ Ojulari has 4.5 sacks. Tied with three others but he leads with 35 yards lost on sacks.

For his efforts against the Central Michigan Chippewas, Ojulari was named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week.

Pass Rusher Sacks TFLs Pressures QB Hits
Ojulari 4.5 4.5 9 2
Anthony 3.5 4.0 7 0
Smith 3.0 3.5 10 0
Gaye 1.0 1.0 2 0

Maason Smith has really come on strong in the early going and the team is going to rely on him off the edge. After losing Andre Anthony for the season due to a knee injury, it is going to be all hands on deck for this one. Ali Gaye is expected back against Mississippi State, so his return will be huge.

Head coach Ed Orgeron stated they will use a three-man rotation at defensive end with Gaye, Smith, and Ojulari. The trio will get their opportunities as the Bulldogs have allowed a total of 34 pressures through three games. Will Rogers has been sacked six times this season, on average twice a game.

Mississippi State’s offensive line will be tested as they are tasked with slowing down the No. 1 pass rush in the country.

LSU edge defender Andre Anthony done for the season

Per Ed Orgeron, Andre Anthony is done for the season.

During the game against Central Michigan, the LSU Tigers lost one of their top defenders in Andre Anthony. During his weekly press conference, coach Ed Orgeron stated that Anthony is done for the season. It is a devastating blow to the defensive front.

The Tigers will use a three-man rotation of Ali Gaye, BJ Ojulari, and Maason Smith that moved outside due to need. The sixth-year senior will be severely missed upfront. Ojulari will continue to be relied on playing opposite of Gaye for the most part with Smith getting worked in.

Ojulari was named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week on Monday.

Ojulari is tied with two other defenders for the most sacks in the nation. The move for Maason Smith will be an interesting one, he primarily played on the interior but moved outside and did well against Central Michigan. Orgeron stated that Smith has a chance to be dominant playing on the outside.

This group will be challenged to get to Will Rogers on Saturday when the team travels to Starkville.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PatrickConnCFB

LSU vs Central Michigan Injuries: Ali Gaye and Jay Ward out Saturday

The LSU Tigers could be without a total of four starters for the game against Central Michigan.

For the second straight week the LSU Tigers defense will be without two key starters. Ali Gaye and Jay Ward are out for the game according to head coach Ed Orgeron. Gaye and Ward are both listed as having “undisclosed” injuries.

It is likely that Gaye would play in this game if it were an SEC game, no reason to rush him or Ward back against Central Michigan, a team that the Tigers shouldn’t struggle with. We will put an emphasis on shouldn’t.

The LSU defense has plenty of depth at defensive end/edge rusher with BJ Ojulari and Andre Anthony. Both players recorded sacks against McNeese last Saturday.

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As for the safety spot, expect another heavy dose of Jordan Toles and Cam Lewis. “I think Cam Lewis has done a good job and so has Jordan Toles.” Orgeron continued, “both of those guys got to play and do a good job, they’ve had a good week of practice. They’re gonna be challenged but I think they’re up for the challenge.”

The team will once again be without starting left tackle Cam Wire and right tackle Austin Deculus is questionable for Saturday. Offensive guard Chasen Hines is probable after missing the McNeese game. Charles Turner will likely be back at right tackle against Central Michigan, while Xavier Hill mans the left tackle spot.

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Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PatrickConnCFB

LSU vs McNeese: Which Tigers will likely miss Saturday’s home opener

The injury report and which LSU Tigers are likely to miss the home opener on Saturday.

One of the worst parts of the loss to UCLA last Saturday was not just the game itself. The LSU Tigers lost several key players due to injury. The team will be without both starting tackles on the offensive line. On defense, they lose one of their key defenders for the upcoming game.

If there is a silver lining to this story, it is that it comes against an FCS opponent rather than in the thick of conference play. Who is out for Saturday’s game against the Cowboys? We break down the injury report and players are likely to miss due to non-football situations.

Injuries: Who is on the injury report

(Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Quarterback, Myles Brennan: Out indefinitely (arm)

Offensive Tackle, Austin Deculus: Out Saturday (shoulder)

Defensive End, Ali Gaye: Out Saturday (undisclosed)

Running Back, Armoni Goodwin: Questionable Saturday (undisclosed)

Defensive Tackle. Glen Logan: Out indefinitely (foot)

Wide Receiver, Malik Nabors: Questionable Saturday (shoulder)

Safety, Jay Ward: Doubtful Saturday (undisclosed)

Offensive Tackle, Cam Wire: Out Saturday (undisclosed)

The LSU Tigers will also be without three players, two on offense due to academic issues. John Emery Jr is the only player that is still listed as questionable for Saturday’s home opener.

Academics: Who is dealing with non-injury issues

(Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Running Back, John Emery Jr: Questionable

Defense End, Soni Fonua: Out

Wide Receiver, Jontre Kirklin: Out

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Stream this Saturday’s LSU-McNeese State game, plus college football games from the SEC, Big 12, The American, and more on ESPN+

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Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PatrickConnCFB

Game preview: LSU Tigers Wire game picks, x-factor for UCLA matchup

The staff makes game picks and who could be the x-factors for an LSU Tigers win in week one.

Just over 24 hours away from the start of the 2021 college football season, head coach Ed Orgeron is hoping to lead his team to victory in a familiar place. During his time at USC, Orgeron posted a 6-1 record against UCLA as a member of the staff. As a head coach, he is 0-1 as the lone loss came in the interim season of 2013. He gets a chance to even the score against the Bruins.

Under the current head coach, LSU is 3-1 in season openers. They haven’t opened a new schedule in a true road game setting. In 2017 the Tigers opened up the season in New Orleans, the following year in Arlington, Texas. Both were neutral site games. The last two seasons were played at Death Valley, this time around the Tigers open on the road.

UCLA poses a good challenge and barometer for the upcoming season. The Bruins are a Power Five school with a win already under their belt. Can the Tigers quiet the talk and send a message that last year was an anomaly?

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The staff takes a look at who to watch in the upcoming game

Pages: Page 1, Page 2

Top reasons why LSU wins, loses against UCLA on Saturday

Ahead of Saturday’s season opener we explore reasons why LSU wins and loses against UCLA.

Just a day away from the season opener for the LSU Tigers. Plenty of questions will finally be answered, well somewhat. The first game of the year will give us some idea of where the team is. Ed Orgeron’s squad can finally put last year’s mediocre season behind them when they line up against Chip Kelly and the UCLA Bruins.

The biggest questions revolve around the two coordinator hires the team made early in the offseason. Jake Peetz comes in to hopefully bring back the Joe Brady attack that set record numbers in 2019. Peetz and passing game coordinator DJ Mangas spent the 2020 season under Brady in Carolina. They bring the RPO-based attack back to the Bayou. Can Max Johnson execute in the opener?

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Daronte Jones is tasked with improving a defense that was known for futility in 2020. The Bo Pelini experiment was a failed one that saw record numbers each and every week. Once the season was underway, it was clear that the defense was going to be a liability throughout the season. Jones needs to get a lot more out of his defense, it will all start with not having his guys out of position. Derek Stingley Jr and Eli Ricks are the best CB duo in the country, so can they both take away the passing game in 2021?

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As the game draws near, we lay out reasons why the Tigers will win or lose against UCLA on Saturday night.

LSU Tigers 2021 Game-by-game predictions from Athlon Sports

A look at how the Athlon Sports team has the LSU Tigers finishing the 2021 season.

Count it down, we have just over a week remaining until the LSU Tigers kick off the 2021 season against the UCLA Bruins. This is the first time that the Tigers have faced off against the Bruins but not the first time for head coach Ed Orgeron.

In 2013 as the interim head coach of the USC Trojans, Orgeron lost that match up 35-14. This game will be a good early-season test for the Bayou Bengals to gauge exactly where they are ahead of the home opener against McNeese State on Sept. 11.

What should we expect from the Tigers this season?

Athlon Sports’ analysts Steven Lassan, Mark Ross, and Juan Jose Rodriquez each gave it a shot at predicting the Tigers’ 2021 season. Here is how they compared to our game-by-game breakdowns:

Fall camp standout: LSU edge defender Ali Gaye

A look at fall camp standout, Ali Gaye.

Fall camp has come and gone, the LSU Tigers are now focused on opening the season against UCLA in just 10 days. There were more than a few players who stood out from camp, such as freshman quarterback Garrett Nussmeier who threw for 533 yards and six touchdowns in the two scrimmages.

On the defensive side of the ball, one player who stood out was edge defender Ali Gaye. On Saturday, the senior had a few sacks in the scrimmage. He was listed as one of the top returning edge defenders in the SEC and for good reason. Gaye was a menace for opposing offensive linemen to deal with. Last season he led the team with 9.5 TFLs and 38 total pressures.

Recently 247Sports named their top camp performers for each SEC team, for LSU it was all about the former JUCO transfer.

LSU: Ali Gaye, Edge

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

What 247Sports Says…

Gaye signed on with LSU out of junior college, and despite not having spring practices and the coaches going through a much different summer workout routine in 2020, the first-year edge rusher exploded onto the college scene in the fall. By the time 10 SEC games and come and gone, Gaye was one of the conference’s best defensive ends, finishing the year with 32 tackles, two sacks, a team-high 9.5 tackles for loss, six passes deflected and one interception.

A big season will be needed from Gaye, Andre Anthony, and BJ Ojulari as they try to fix the defensive failings from last season. Under Bo Pelini, the Tigers defense gave up 34.9 points, 323 passing yards, and 492.1 total yards per game. Pretty abysmal set of numbers. The 34.9 points per game surrendered were the most by an LSU team in over 50 years.

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