Whit Weeks – Page 2 – Syndication Server

Instant analysis from LSU’s thrilling overtime win over Ole Miss

The Tigers survived to win an instant classic against Ole Miss in overtime.

Ole Miss entered Saturday night’s game looking for its first win at Tiger Stadium since 2008. After a wild game that couldn’t be decided after four quarters, the Rebels are still searching for that win as LSU survived an instant classic thanks to a dart from [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] to [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag] to win the game in overtime, 29-26.

It was a rough start offensively for the Tigers. They couldn’t run the ball, totaling just 33 yards on 13 carries in the first half while [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag] completed just 11 of 26 passes with an unlucky interception on a tip drill.

Ole Miss had its own issues capitalizing, coming away with zero points on two early red zone trips after a missed field goal and failed fourth-down conversion. But the Rebels still managed to move the ball and jumped out to a 10-0 lead.

LSU would get on the board with a nice drive capped off by a touchdown pass to [autotag]Trey’Dez Green[/autotag], and though Ole Miss scored again to push its lead back to 10, the Tigers had a chance late in the second quarter but a touchdown pass to [autotag]Zavion Thomas[/autotag] was called back as LSU settled for a field goal.

It got another chance on an Ole Miss fumble in the final minute but once again had to settle for a [autotag]Damian Ramos[/autotag] field goal as it went into the locker room facing a 17-13 deficit.

LSU got into scoring position early in the third quarter on a big pass play to [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag], but the drive stalled and Ramos missed a kick. The Rebels responded with a field goal drive of their own, but LSU would answer with another Ramos kick to cut it to 20-16 with just over a minute left in the third quarter.

The teams traded interceptions in the fourth quarter, and Ole Miss was ultimately able to extend its lead to seven in the final minutes.

Facing a do-or-die drive, Nussmeier came up clutch. On fourth and five from the 23-yard line, he found Anderson with the game on the line for a game-tying touchdown with 27 seconds to play. That forced overtime after a [autotag]Whit Weeks[/autotag] sack on a Hail Mary attempt halted Ole Miss’ potential game-winner.

After some procedural penalties to start the overtime period, Ole Miss had to settle for a field goal. The Tigers took over knowing a touchdown would win it, and it took only one play for Nussmeier to deliver just that, finding Lacy in the end zone in one-on-one coverage for the game-winner.

It wasn’t the most efficient game for Nussmeier, who completed just 22 of 51 passes with a pair of interceptions. But he also threw for 337 yards and three touchdowns, including the decisive score in overtime. Lacy finished with 111 yards and a score on five catches.

It wasn’t a banner day for the defense, which allowed 464 yards, but the Tigers managed to keep the Rebels from scoring touchdowns, giving the offense a chance. Twelve penalties for more than 100 yards and two turnovers of its own didn’t help the Ole Miss cause.

The win keeps LSU’s College Football Playoff hopes alive, and the Tigers will look to keep the momentum going when they travel to face Arkansas next weekend.

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5 takeaways from LSU’s Week 5 win over South Alabama

Here are five takeaways from LSU’s 42-10 win over South Alabama.

LSU took care of business on Saturday night, beating South Alabama 42-10 to cover a 20.5-point spread and move to 4-1 on the year.

It was LSU’s final nonconference contest of 2024. The Tigers went 3-1 in those games with the only loss coming in the opener to USC.

Thanks to LSU scheduling USC and UCLA, this was just LSU’s second game vs. a school not in the Power Four. LSU didn’t play up to standard in its first such game, playing with its food against Nicholls. LSU didn’t do that on Saturday night, coming out strong and starting fast.

The emphatic win should ease some concerns heading into the bye week. For the first time all year, LSU played a complete game. The Tigers were explosive and efficient on offense and allowed just 10 points on defense. That’s what you want to see.

Here are five takeaways from LSU’s 42-10 win over South Alabama before LSU’s season heats up coming out of the bye.

Caden Durham is a rising star

LSU has something special in [autotag]Caden Durham[/autotag]. The true freshman looked the part and wasted no time making his mark on Saturday.

On LSU’s first play from scrimmage, Durham took a 71-yard swing pass to the house. On the next drive, Durham opened with an 86-yard burst that set LSU up at the one.

That was 157 yards on two plays to start the game for Durham. Pretty good.

Durham showcases a rare blend of speed and power at running back. He was a track star in high school and the wheels show up every time he finds a crease. Durham is ahead of schedule and that could be big for LSU with conference play heating up.

LSU stopped the run

There were concerns about LSU’s ability to slow South Alabama on the ground. The Jaguar rushing attack was among the most efficient in the nation entering week five and a few have found success running the ball on LSU.

But the LSU defense came to play. South Alabama ran it 33 times for 3.2 yards per carry. South Alabama’s EPA/rush of -0.22 put the Jags in the 15th percentile.

According to GameOnPaper.com, LSU didn’t allow a single explosive run.

LSU linebacker Greg Penn led the way. According to PFF, he notched 11 tackles, ranking first among SEC LBs in week five.

Garrett Nussmeier was prolific

Garrett Nussmeier racked up 409 yards in the win — a career-high for the redshirt junior and his first time surpassing the 400-yard mark. With 1,652 passing yards, Nussmeier sits second in the SEC. He leads the league in passing touchdowns with 15.

Nussmeier was expected to put up big numbers against a middling South Alabama defense and he did just that.

He threw two picks, but it’s hard to find much else wrong with this performance. Nussmeier finished 26 of 39 with 409 yards and two scores.

LSU front seven gets busy

LSU racked up three more sacks on Saturday, continuing a red-hot stretch for the front seven.

[autotag]Da’Shawn Womack[/autotag] led the way with six pressures while [autotag]Gabe Reliford[/autotag], [autotag]Whit Weeks[/autotag], [autotag]Sai’Vion Jones[/autotag] and [autotag]Greg Penn III[/autotag] all had three.

LSU’s defense isn’t perfect, but this group has proven it can put pressure on the quarterback. They’ll need to develop some key plays once LSU gets deep into SEC play.

LSU plays a complete game

All year, we’ve been waiting for LSU to put the package together. No matter the opponent, level, or conference, LSU needed it to show it could string four consistent quarters together on both sides of the ball.

Saturday was the most dominant LSU’s looked all year. The Tigers raced to 21 points in the first quarter and added 14 more in the second. That gave LSU a 35-3 lead at halftime.

The foot came off the gas a little in the second half, but the damage was already done.

LSU finished with 667 yards on the day — 430 through the air and 237 on the ground.

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Stock Up, Stock Down: LSU takes care of business against South Alabama

Caden Durham stock = UP.

These kinds of games are trap games for LSU. I have seen them lose these games before but tonight was a different story. Thanks to some help from [autotag]Caden Durham[/autotag], LSU took the lead early in this game and never looked back as LSU’s offense put on a show. The Tigers won the game 42-10 over the South Alabama Jaguars.

Durham had a great night but he was not the only one. [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag] and [autotag]Aaron Anderson[/autotag] also had great games on the offensive side of the ball. On defense, the Tigers were led by [autotag]Greg Penn III[/autotag] and [autotag]Whit Weeks[/autotag]. Penn finished with 14 tackles and Weeks finished with nine tackles on the night.

Let’s look at who saw their stock rise and who saw their stock fall in this game.

Stock Up: Caden Durham

SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

[autotag]Caden Durham[/autotag] was rated as one of the best running back prospects in the country last year for a reason. The kid is really good. For a team that has not been able to run the ball all year, Durham paved the way on the ground. He finished the night with seven carries for 128 yards and a touchdown. He also had three receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown.

Stock Up: Kyren Lacy

Although he did not finish the game with a touchdown reception, [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag] led the way for the LSU receiving core as he finished the night with five catches for 107 yards.

Stock Up: Greg Penn III

What a great game it was for [autotag]Greg Penn III[/autotag]. He finished the night with the most tackles on defense as he had 14 total tackles, seven solo, and 0.5 tackles for loss.

Stock Down: Turnovers

The only downside I can see from this game is Nussmeier throwing two interceptions. Those two interceptions led to LSU losing the turnover battle against USA. Again, it did not matter in the end, but it is something to improve on.

Stock Up: Surviving the trap game

I have seen LSU lose games like this before. Saturday night was a different story. LSU took control of the game in the first quarter and never looked back as they put on a show against the Jaguars.

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5 overreactions a month into the 2024 LSU football season

LSU is four games into its season. Here are five overreactions.

We’re 25% of the way through the college football season. It doesn’t feel like a lot, but the season is moving fast.

That means it’s time for some overreactions. We’re at an interesting point in the year when it comes to analysis. We have ample data points to make real conclusions, but the majority of teams are far from a finished project.

There’s a lot we think we know that will turn out to be completely wrong come November. But that shouldn’t deter us from jumping to conclusions and overreactions.

Here, we’ll look at five overreactions that can be made after LSU’s first four games. There was a lot we didn’t know about LSU entering the year, but the first month of the season told us a lot about this team.

Of course, it brought some more questions too, especially with the key injuries to [autotag]Harold Perkins Jr.[/autotag], [autotag]John Emery Jr.[/autotag] and [autotag]Jacobian Guillory[/autotag] creating uncertainty at some positions.

Here are five overreactions after LSU’s first four games.

LSU can’t run the ball

LSU made a living on explosive runs but the 2024 lacks the same firepower. Most of that is due to the loss of [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag]’ rushing ability. He was one of the most elusive players in college football — an explosive play waiting to happen.

LSU’s struggled to create the same plays without him. With a running back-centric approach, LSU’s run game is off to an inconsistent start.

LSU had just seven successful runs against USC for a success rate of 27%. Against Nicholls, that total increased to eight.

The last two weeks have shown some improvement with Caden Durham’s performance against South Carolina while [autotag]Kaleb Jackson[/autotag] and [autotag]Josh Williams[/autotag] both averaged over four yards per carry against UCLA.

LSU’s ground game was serviceable against UCLA, but there was only one run of 10+ yards. That explosiveness element still isn’t there. On the year, LSU ranks 27th in explosive run rate.

It’s understandable LSU would take a step back in this department without Daniels, but consistency is needed if LSU wants to compete for a spot in the 12-team playoff.

The secondary is too young

LSU is relying on young players across the defense, but especially in the secondary.

At corner, [autotag]Ashton Stamps[/autotag] is a true sophomore. [autotag]JK Johnson[/autotag] is a veteran by age but has just one year of real experience and it was at Ohio State in 2022. Next up at corner is [autotag]PJ Woodland[/autotag], a true freshman.

[autotag]Zy Alexander[/autotag] offers a veteran presence, but he’s been in and out of the lineup with injury issues.

USC took advantage of this group in LSU’s week one loss. LSU has gotten away with facing lesser passing offenses the last three weeks, but the Tigers will see high-powered attacks in SEC play.

It’s a talented bunch, but it’s fair to ask if this secondary is ready to compete at the highest level.

Garrett Nussmeier can win the Heisman

Four games in, Nussmeier ranks second in the FBS with 13 touchdowns and seventh with 1,247 yards. He’s shown up in big moments when LSU needed it against South Carolina and USC.

He’s not quite in the Heisman conversation, but his numbers are good enough to make a run if the opportunity presents itself. Last year, it took Daniels some time to build his campaign before emerging as a clear favorite.

Nussmeier will get a chance for a signature win against Ole Miss in a few weeks. If he puts up gaudy numbers there, Nussmeier’s name could start being tossed out there.

LSU’s defensive tackle room is in a good spot

Before the year, Guillory was considered a “can’t lose” player for LSU. Well, the Tigers lost him for the year after an injury in week two.

LSU did its best to build up the defensive tackle room over the summer, but questions circled. Guillory was the only returning DT with LSU experience.

Luckily for the Tigers, depth is emerging now. This room is not the problem many thought it would be.

True freshmen Dominick McKinley and Ahmad Breaux both look ready to contribute, and Wisconsin transfer Gio Paez is playing competent football under the tutelage of defensive line coach Bo Davis.

There’s also Jay’Viar Suggs, who made the most of his limited action against UCLA.

LSU should be cautiously optimistic about this group moving forward.

Whit Weeks will save the defense

Without Perkins, there are questions about LSU’s linebacker core. Perkins was a playmaker and had rare speed and athleticism for the position.

Now, LSU will count on Whit Weeks to replace that production. Weeks provides some of that versatility that Perkins did. He’s athletic enough to drop into coverage or come after the quarterback. He’s still a young player, but he’s showing All-SEC flashes.

LSU DC Blake Baker needs to make the most of Weeks if this LSU defense is going to figure it out.

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Brian Kelly confirms Harold Perkins Jr. ACL tear, declines to speculate about his future at LSU

Brian Kelly said Harold Perkins Jr. and his family have not made a decision about returning to LSU or entering the draft.

LSU got the 34-17 win over UCLA on Saturday, but it came at a tremendous cost on the defensive side of the ball.

Star linebacker [autotag]Harold Perkins Jr.,[/autotag] a versatile defender capable of rushing off the edge, playing off-ball linebacker and even working into the nickel spot in coverage, tore his ACL and will miss the remainder of his junior season.

Kelly confirmed reports of Perkins’ ACL tear on Monday.

“Certainly an injury we feel terrible about, especially for Harold and the work he has done to put himself in a great position,” Kelly said. “You lose players all the time, you just feel terrible for them individually because of all the work and time they put in. We’ll have somebody else step up like we have this year.”

When it comes to his future in Baton Rouge, there are a lot of questions facing Perkins. He entered the year viewed as a first-round draft pick, though his production through three games had declined a bit from last season.

With the NFL potentially calling, Kelly said Perkins and his family haven’t made any kind of decision in that regard yet. He said the staff isn’t worrying about whether Perkins will be a part of the team in 2025.

“Way too soon for him or his family to have made any kind of declaration whether this is his last game or not,” Kelly said. “I think they are just trying to get a hold of the surgery and the rehab associated with it. He’ll take all that into consideration. And when it’s time to make a decision, he will make a decision. Certainly, he has plenty of time before he has to make that decision.

“It’s been two seasons and four games, so it’s not even three (seasons). I think it’s really too soon for us to get into any of the ‘what happens if this is his last season?’ It’s two seasons of competition and four games, and probably rushing any type of comments relative to whether this was his last season or not, I think we’d have to tap the brakes on that.”

Without Perkins, the Tigers will have to rely on veterans [autotag]Greg Penn III[/autotag] and [autotag]West Weeks[/autotag], as well as [autotag]Whit Weeks[/autotag], who has impressed so far this season.

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Where does LSU turn with Harold Perkins Jr. sidelined for rest of 2024 season?

With star linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. done for the year, LSU will lose some playmaking ability on defense.

LSU star [autotag]Harold Perkins Jr.[/autotag] left the win over UCLA with a knee injury. LSU head coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] was mum on Perkins after the game, saying tests were needed, but Perkins was “injured.”

On Sunday, LSU’s worst fears came to fruition. Perkins is done for the year with a torn ACL according to 247Sports and other reports.

The loss is a blow to an LSU defense that needs all the help it can get. Perkins was second-team All-SEC in 2023 and preseason All-SEC in 2024 — that’s star power LSU doesn’t have elsewhere on the unit.

With Perkins sidelined, where does LSU go from here?

Without Perkins, LSU is losing a player with game-breaking ability. Dating back to 2022, we’ve seen Perkins take over games and make plays LSU needed to win the game. Even when consistency was a problem for the unit, Perkins had a way of showing up.

Think back to the Alabama game in 2022. LSU struggled to contain Bryce Young in the second half, but Perkins applied seven pressures and a sack — just enough havoc for LSU to secure the upset.

In the Missouri game last year. Mizzou marched up and down the field on LSU, but a Perkins’ interception swung momentum in the second half and gave [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] a chance to lead LSU to a shootout win.

As for 2024, we can debate Perkins’ impact.

According to PFF, he ranks 46th out of 55 qualified SEC linebackers in defensive grade. In four games, he didn’t record a sack and missed six tackles. LSU still lacked a concrete plan for Perkins, playing him at weakside linebacker to begin the year and bumping him to the strongside in week three.

But despite the lack of production, the talent remained undeniable and the flash plays were still there. Perkins came up with some big pressures against South Carolina and even when he isn’t hitting home, offenses have to circle him. Taking that threat off the field will have an impact on this defense.

The good news for LSU is this. [autotag]Bradyn Swinson[/autotag] has emerged as one of the best pass rushers in the SEC, and linebacker [autotag]Whit Weeks[/autotag] is showing he knows how to get after the passer, too.

Still, there’s not a player on this roster with the same all-around ability that Perkins has. Whether it’s a sack, a tackle for loss, or a pick, Perkins impacts every phase of the game when he’s on.

For an LSU defense that relies more on creating havoc than down-to-down efficiency, that matters. With Perkins out, the ceiling of this unit is no doubt lower.

LSU went to a 4-3 look in recent weeks in the hope of getting its three best linebackers on the field. A reversion back to the classic 4-2-5 may be in the fold now.

If LSU does opt to play with three linebackers, expect [autotag]West Weeks[/autotag] to see more time. Weeks is a veteran, but he doesn’t offer the same upside as Perkins.

That’s what LSU’s going to miss. When everything else goes wrong, Perkins’ special ability could mitigate the issues. LSU will have to find havoc elsewhere now.

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Changes expected on LSU’s defense ahead of South Carolina game

LSU’s defense will look different when it meets South Carolina on Saturday morning.

As LSU enters conference play against South Carolina, the Tigers are tinkering with the defensive personnel.

The most notable of which is at the linebacker spot, where LSU will showcase more 4-3 looks. Expect to see [autotag]Greg Penn III[/autotag], [autotag]Whit Weeks[/autotag] and [autotag]Harold Perkins Jr.[/autotag] on the field together.

LSU head coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] said Weeks is too good to be a rotational player, indicating he’s too good to keep off the field.

In those 4-3 looks, LSU has the option to move [autotag]Major Burns[/autotag] to safety, his traditional position. Burns has played DC Blake Baker’s STAR spot so far in 2024.

Another change is increased playing time for [autotag]Dashawn Spears[/autotag]. The four-star true freshman continues to draw rave reviews and it’s getting harder for LSU to keep him off the field.

LSU will have to balance that with [autotag]Sage Ryan[/autotag] moving. The return of cornerback [autotag]Zy Alexander[/autotag] provides LSU with a veteran option on the outside and the Tigers feel more comfortable bumping Ryan back to safety.

Another beneficiary of Ryan’s move is [autotag]PJ Woodland[/autotag]. The true freshman corner played just nine snaps against USC but got the start in Week 2 and played 26 snaps vs. Nicholls.

On the defensive line, following the injury to [autotag]Jacobian Guillory[/autotag], LSU is moving [autotag]Paris Shand[/autotag] back inside. Shand played defensive tackle at Arizona before shifting to defensive end when arriving at LSU. But LSU needs the depth up the middle and Shand has the size to make an impact at the position.

The general takeaway is LSU finding a way to get its best 11 players on the field, even if it means making some moves.

LSU fans will get their first look at the changes when LSU and South Carolina kick it off at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday morning.

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LSU vs South Carolina: What to watch for as Tigers open SEC play

Can LSU get it going on the ground? How does LSU manage personnel on defense? Here’s what to watch for when LSU faces South Carolina.

2024 continues to be a mirror image of 2023 for the LSU Tigers football team.

Both years opened with a neutral site loss on Sunday night to a big-name opponent. Both seasons followed that up with a Week 2 win over a Louisiana FCS school. Now, Week 3 features an SEC road trip against a team projected to finish near the bottom of the SEC.

Last year it was Mississippi State. This year, LSU travels further east to face South Carolina.

According to BetMGM, LSU is a seven-point favorite. A smaller line than the double-digit look-ahead spread posted in the summer. The loss to USC and first-half struggles against Nicholls brought the skeptics out, but head coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] reiterated his confidence in this team.

South Carolina shouldn’t be a measuring stick for LSU, but the Tigers need to show they can take care of business on the road against a less talented squad.

Here’s what to watch for when LSU and South Carolina kick off on Saturday.

When LSU has the ball

When LSU’s on offense, I’ll be looking for two things:

Can LSU run the ball?
Can LSU generate explosive plays?

The fact that we have to ask the first question is a surprise. LSU’s offensive line was projected to be one of the nation’s best, and while it has held up in pass protection, LSU is yet to get a consistent push on the ground.

LSU ranks 112th nationally in rushing success rate and 89th with 3.93 yards per carry. Both marks are below the gaudy numbers posted last year and short of what’s expected of a team with this much talent.

The Tigers miss [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag]’ dual-threat ability and lack a feature running back, but with two first-round tackles and veteran guards, the offensive line should be creating lanes.

South Carolina’s defensive front is strong, but it’s better at rushing the passer than it is at stopping the run. The Gamecocks stuff rate is in the 23rd percentile and their EPA/rush allowed is slightly above average.

If LSU can’t run the ball on Saturday, it signals concern for the remainder of 2024.

As for the second question, LSU needs to be more explosive. The Tigers are one or two more explosive plays from being 2-0. LSU struggled in the red zone vs. USC and the easiest way to fix that is scoring before you even get there.

LSU’s offense made its living on deep shots to [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag] in 2023. I understand the personnel is different, but Nussmeier has the arm to push it down the field.

With a defense that’s still finding its way, LSU needs to be explosive enough to keep up in a potential shootout.

Following the USC loss, Kelly said LSU needs to keep [autotag]Kyren Lacy[/autotag] involved throughout the game. We’ll see if OC [autotag]Joe Sloan[/autotag] dials anything up for his top receiver on Saturday.

When South Carolina has the ball

That Week 3 game against Mississippi State was LSU’s best defensive performance in 2023. The Tigers took advantage of a defense that wasn’t as talented.

It didn’t mean much the rest of the year as the unit regressed back to what it was in the Week 1 loss to Florida State, but it showed LSU had the pieces to bully a less talented team.

LSU hopes for a similar result tomorrow.

South Carolina’s offense struggled last year and then lost Spencer Rattler and Xavier Leggette — its top two players. Rebuilding a unit is hard, especially when you lose the stars.

LaNorris Sellers took over for Rattler and is yet to show anything particularly impressive. The offensive line is improved, but they didn’t have to do much to cross the low bar set in 2023. When it comes to the pass catchers, South Carolina is still searching for the next WR1 after Leggette’s departure.

This is the rare opportunity for the LSU defense to face an SEC offense with an equal amount of questions and concerns.

I’ll be keeping an eye on how LSU manages its personnel. Kelly said that linebacker [autotag]Whit Weeks[/autotag] is too good to keep off the field and we could see [autotag]Major Burns[/autotag] play some safety, allowing LSU to get three backers on the field.

On the backend, [autotag]Sage Ryan[/autotag] is expected to play safety, opening time for [autotag]Zy Alexander[/autotag] and [autotag]PJ Woodland[/autotag] at corner.

LSU needs to ensure this isn’t the game South Carolina figures it out. The Tigers have the talent and speed to get stops here.

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Brian Kelly says LSU LB Whit Weeks is too good to keep off the field

Brian Kelly says LSU linebacker Whit Weeks is too good to be in a “platoon situation.”

Two games into 2024, LSU football’s head coach is impressed with linebacker [autotag]Whit Weeks[/autotag].

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] said Weeks “can’t be in a platoon situation.”

He added that Weeks’ play is forcing LSU to make some tough decisions regarding the linebacker position. Keeping Weeks out there every snap means altering the rotation and that playing time has to come from somewhere.

Weeks has been LSU’s most impactful defender so far. According to PFF, among SEC LBs with 60+ snaps, Weeks is the sixth-best-graded backer in the conference.

Weeks already has nine stops and is yet to miss a tackle. That stop rate is one of the best in the conference and Weeks’ run stops come at an average of one yard.

When Weeks is involved, good things happen for LSU’s defense. DC [autotag]Blake Baker[/autotag] has a knack for developing impact players at inside linebacker and Weeks looks like the next breakout.

https://twitter.com/whalexander_/status/1833927940569985140

According to On3, Weeks was a four-star and top 150 overall recruit in 2023. He showed flashes as a true freshman but wasn’t consistent enough to see the field in a full-time role.

LSU is counting on younger classmen like Weeks to be the cause for a defensive turnaround and once LSU figures out how to optimize the lineup, the defense should take another step.

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Sai’vion Jones a standout for LSU’s defense in season-opening loss to USC

Sai’vion Jones was a bright spot for LSU’s defense on Sunday night as he totaled five tackles and two sacks.

Though the defense looked improved overall, it wasn’t exactly a confidence-inspiring showing for LSU in its 27-20 season-opening loss to USC on Sunday night.

The Tigers gave up 450 yards of total offense and were picked apart by quarterback Miller Moss. But the front seven seemed to be the bright spot, and one player in particular stood out.

Defensive end [autotag]Sai’vion Jones[/autotag] is a veteran on this defense and one of the few players who started every game last year. He certainly impressed in the first game of his final season, finishing with five tackles and two sacks.

That caught the attention of his teammates.

“Outstanding,” Linebacker [autotag]Whit Weeks[/autotag] said of Jones’ outing. “I was telling those guys up there I think he had the best performance on our defense, and to see a guy like him who a lot of people look up to on the defense play like that it brings everyone else up around him. So it was great to see him play like that.”

For Jones’ part, he’s not thinking about it too much and remains focused on the bigger picture entering the Tigers’ Week 2 home opener against Nicholls on Saturday night.

“The key for me is to just not get a big head,” Jones said. “Just as people can have one bad game and the rest of the season be good, somebody could have a good game and the rest of the season be bad. And I feel like I understand that, so I just need to continue working on the little things and try to be consistent.”

If LSU is going to be improved on defense this fall, it seems Jones, who is already just half a sack away from matching last year’s total, will be a major reason behind it.

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