The Third Quarter

by Poseur on Oct 11, 2009 10:30 AM CDT in Football Comment 31 comments

For the second straight week, the third quarter was a wasteland for the LSU offense. I don't know why this team comes out after the half and promptly lays an egg, but it is a huge concern. Sure, the offense was a little rough in the first half, but it wasn't awful either. LSU had two drives which stalled around midfield, then had the drive to the 1 yard line resulting in a field goal, and then a chuck-it-downfield drive with 30 seconds left in the half resulting in a pick. Sure, it wasn't great, but it wasn't awful.

Then came the third quarter. LSU had seven offensive snaps in the third quarter, and one of those was a punt. Let's just breakdown how horrific it was:

-- Charles Scott had four rushes for 2, 8, 3, and 5 yards. No problem with Chuck the Truck except that his 2 yard rush came on 2nd and 18. Hell, he even rushed for a first down.

-- Jordan Jefferson dropped back to pass twice. He was sacked both times for an 8 and then 6 yard loss.

-- The period closed with consecutive false starts.

Hey, but at least we bounced back to start the 4th quarter by Jefferson getting sacked again. LSU completed the drive by completing a screen pass to Scott on 3rd and 22 for 5 yards. Almost, guys. Almost.

Jefferson was sacked on three consecutive pass plays. Scott was at least decent in the third quarter, even gaining a first down. If you're scoring at home (and we sincerely hope you are), LSU ran 6 plays for a net of 2 yards in the third quarter. After the first two plays of the fourth quarter, LSU had 8 plays for 0 net yards.

And two false start penalties.

I can't even begin to explain it, but one things is clear: you cannot hope to win games in which you essentially give away an entire quarter. The third quarter was an abomination. And it's the top reason Florida walked out with a win.

0 recs | Comment 31 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Thoroughly ...

… disgusted with this team. I’m sicked tired of hearing from Miles through the media continuously say how this teams needs to improve, needs to improve, and then watch them come out week after week and show ZERO improvement.

by PromNightDumpsterBaby on Oct 11, 2009 10:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Although I like your screen name,

I think you have mailed it in too early. This is one of our two toughest games of the year. To me, Florida’s defense was lightning fast. That’s tough on a QB who really is in his first season as the starter. The coaches have a bye week to break down the last two games and make some serious adjustments. If they don’t, I might share your view then.

by artiger on Oct 11, 2009 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm going to hope

it’s the kick in the ass the coaching staff needed to realize they need to completely revise their offensive playcalling philosophy. And to teach Jefferson what the dimensions of a pocket are.

I continue to believe that LSU are their own worst enemy and that they can still have a hell of a season if they correct their mistakes. The talent is there; the coaching staff needs to take advantage of it.

by no brainer on Oct 11, 2009 11:14 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

At the moment

I’m not sure there’s really a play-calling philosophy to revise — and that’s the problem.

by Billy Gomila on Oct 11, 2009 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

play-calling philosophy

Looks to me like it’s running to set up the pass and emphasizing runs between the tackles. Problem there is that all the defenses we’ve played up to this point have dared LSU to pass by setting up for the run. It’s time to accept that dare.

The other (related) aspect of their play-calling is that they really seem to avoid downfield passes. I can understand their desire to protect Jefferson. But hopefully the coaching staff will now understand that a 3 pt. performance is not acceptable. If we’re going to lose, I want to lose knowing that we at least tried to take advantage to the talent out there on the field. They also need to work on getting the ball out of Jefferson’s hands quickly. Some quick passes to Dickson would help.

by no brainer on Oct 11, 2009 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree

If we’re trying to run to set up the pass, why did Scott have just 15 rushing attempts. I actually thought if they’d run the ball a little more, they might have had more success — they definitely would have had a few more first downs and avoided some third and longs.

The problem isn’t conservatism versus being more wide-open, the problem is Crowton can’t seem to decide WHICH one he wants to be. I don’t see any definitive plan of attack.

by Billy Gomila on Oct 11, 2009 10:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

with the indecision in what the offensive philosophy is, but there was a run:pass ratio of 2:1. So it seems they were more committed to the run last game. I believe a lot of the problems are mistake driven though. They should be playing like a team hitting it’s mid-season stride, yet they look more like a team in spring training.

Also 1-9. Third down has haunted this team all season long, and it’s not just third down, it’s the consecutive 3 and outs. They haven’t shown the ability to change the field in their favor consistently enough.

by Mikeno on Oct 11, 2009 11:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Running to set up the pass

A run;pass ratio of 2:1 as Mikeno points out would seem to back up my impression that they’re trying to run to set up the pass.

by no brainer on Oct 12, 2009 5:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not to be disagreeable

I do agree with BG that the offensive play-calling has been a bit schizophrenic. But I also think that the few points I made above about some of the play-calling remains accurate. Those few points don’t add up to an offensive philosophy on their own but do represent flaws that need to be corrected.

by no brainer on Oct 12, 2009 6:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Then tell me

Why is LSU running so few play-action passes or passes out of running sets like the I-formation? The overwhelming majority of the passes are straight drops, out of the shotgun with 3 or 4 WR’s.

If they were running to set up the pass, they’d run more playaction, more rollouts, more flares to backs/TE’s. For the record, if they DID this, it’d probably work better then what they’re doing now.

I’m just as critical of the offense as anybody right now, but get your criticism right. It’s not that they’re being too conservative, its that they’re not being much of ANYTHING.

by Billy Gomila on Oct 12, 2009 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That would

seriously help out a lot if they would run more play-action and designed roll-outs. How does the coaching staff not see this? The few times they have run play-action this season it has worked extremely well. It worked even on the Gators the ‘one’ (of the top of my head) time they ran it, it went for a 26 yard completion to JoJo. So why are they still asking JJ to drop back and read the whole field? Give him 2 reads MAX.

LSU has some of the same pieces that Florida has on offense, maybe even better at all of the positions that wouldn’t be manned by Tebow. And it’s not just Florida, I look at this LSU team and I don’t see a team in this league with better ~~skill~~ speed position players pound for pound. I just don’t get why this offense is still ~~struggling~~ inept.

by Mikeno on Oct 12, 2009 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's what I'm saying

The offense is inept, but it’s not conservative.

by Billy Gomila on Oct 12, 2009 4:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That ratio is misleading

Considering how many called passes get turned into runs when Jefferson either takes off or gets sacked. He had 12 rushing attempts Saturday night, probably 2 of those were on called run plays.

by 4.0 Point Stance on Oct 12, 2009 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's a good point

But I’m pretty sure that more than 2 of the 12 were called run plays given the number of times JJ kept it on the option.

As for BG’s questions about why they aren’t running more passes out of running sets, I have no idea. I don’t see how that refutes my impression that they are running to set up the pass. It seemed most obvious to me in the Miss St game that the MSU D was set up to stop our running game and it didn’t seem like LSU did anything to dissuade them from taking that stop the run first defensive approach.

So, it could be that LSU doesn’t actually run to set up the pass. Maybe instead their passing game is just so inept that defenses only feel the need to focus on stopping the run.

by no brainer on Oct 12, 2009 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

Right now, its not about running more or passing more, its about finding SOMETHING that works.

People are kind of going with the stereotype of “too conservative,” and that’s not it at all.

by Billy Gomila on Oct 12, 2009 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree.

The only thing worse than the 1st, 2nd, and 4th quarters for LSU this year have been the 3rd quarter.

by LSU Jonno on Oct 11, 2009 11:35 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Every so often Florida’s D comes up with a quarter like that. Last year Bama ran seven plays in the fourth for a net of 1 yard, with drives ending in a punt and a pick.

by peachy rex on Oct 11, 2009 12:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Given the UGa game and the fact the running game actually worked, and the sacks Jefferson took (a season long problem), I think the wounds were more self-inflicted than anything.

Not to say UF doesn’t have a great D, they do, but the 3rd quarter was primarily caused by LSU’s deficeincies than UF’s play.

Fake Pundit. Real Fan.
http://www.andthevalleyshook.com

by Poseur on Oct 11, 2009 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hello coach, we have a problem!

I have been quiet up until now patiently waiting for the offense to jell but it’s time to speak.
I see some real trouble with the team’s inability or refusal to use gifted and talented players
because they’re freshmen??? Come on. There are freshmen playing all over the country helping
their teams win or lose. Shepard and Randle weren’t even given a chance. This is very sad.
Also our QB was totally ineffective. I think I would have at least given Lee and opportunity
to make some plays. I could go on but I’m sure some of you must have the same thoughts
in this area. Very disappointing to say the least.
Anyway go Tigers. We have two weeks for our coaches to do some thinking and correct
these issues.

by Totally Spoil on Oct 11, 2009 2:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

offense cordinator?

our offense coordinator is clueless. with the talent we have in the skilled positions, there is no excuse we can’t score at least 21 points at home against anyone. not to score a touchdown against florida in front of 93000 fans is inexcusable. why do our pass plays take so long to develope? why did not we make any adjustments at half? where were holloday and williams? why no passes to dixon? why is our quarterback running the ball so much? bottom line our coaching is not at the level it needs to be to beat the good teams in the sec…

by jack89 on Oct 11, 2009 3:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The play calls were not really so bad

I got to watch this again this morning. It wasn’t so much the plays called as it was the lack of offensive possessions. Florida shortened the game by executing their offense and chewing up clock. It put more pressure on LSU to be disciplined on offense and execute the few times they got the ball. The offense could not do it. Its been sloppy all season, but the lack of possessions in this game really exposed that problem.

by NOPE on Oct 11, 2009 4:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Completely agree

LSU had two bad possessions which doesn’t make me happy, but it certainly happens. Their third possession of the second half started midway through the fourth quarter. Florida, in the three possessions, ran 34 plays and over 16 minutes of clock.

Fake Pundit. Real Fan.
http://www.andthevalleyshook.com

by Poseur on Oct 11, 2009 5:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Correction

I can’t add. 30 plays. Not 34. Still, that’s an average of 10-play drives.

Fake Pundit. Real Fan.
http://www.andthevalleyshook.com

by Poseur on Oct 11, 2009 5:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree..

The play-calling in my opinion was considerably better than the MSU game. 1st and 3rd downs are killing this team, they were 1-9. If they convert even three more 3rd downs then it would at least been bumped up to 4-15 if we didn’t convert further. Extending drives, even if it is just for just 4 more downs would really help this team out drastically. T.O.P. and field position is paramount for this young team.

by Mikeno on Oct 11, 2009 11:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Erm 4-12.. bear with me..

by Mikeno on Oct 11, 2009 11:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Good News is .....

The Good News is LSU can still win the SEC WEST , can still win the SEC outright and the National Championship…. Our fate is still in the TEAMS & COACHES hands…..
Now the bad news… LSU was OUT COACHED at every turn of the game last night , and not just by a little by a lot. As a Championship Winning football COACH myself I offer these humble opinions.
1) LES MILES and his hand picked OC GARY CROATAN’S total lack of PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP is SUSPECT, their game plan produced another anemic offensive performance, COACH CROATAN’S unbelievable lack of imagination with play calling proved a complete disaster… again.
2) Les Miles is PROFESSIONAL, a COACH making a salary of 3.5 million dollars per year. GARY CROATAN is a PROFESSIONAL, a OC COACH making a salary of almost 1 million dollars a year. I f these two HIGHLY PAYED PROFESSIONALS repeatedly continue to make the very same mistakes they made last 2 seasons their tenure should be in SERIOUS QUESTION.
3) Last and MOST IMPORTANT . * .LES MILES did NOT make LSU FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS …….WE were CHAMPIONS long before LES MILES ….and will be CHAMPIONS .. LONG after LES MILES and GARY CROWTAN are forgotten..
LSU and LSU FOOTBALL and TIGER NATION made .. LES MILES & GARY CROWTAN . Not the other way around..
That being said I hope the coaches can turn things around and we can win the remainder of our games. If LSU can geaux 10- 3 and win their BOWL GAME the season will be a good success . If we finish like last year .. I hope at LEAST the OC will be replaced.

by C.D. on Oct 11, 2009 7:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Who are you?

And what championship did you win as a coach? NCAA football 2009? I’m pretty sure most coaches have to have a basic grasp of the english language, and you would think that a diehard fan such as yourself would know how to spell Crowton.

by Ianoka on Oct 11, 2009 8:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My thoughts exactly

by shelby924 on Oct 11, 2009 10:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My Thoughts!

I honestly agree with about everything said and have been saying this all along myself.

My question goes back to the Georgia Tech game. We played like we had nothing to lose and blew them out of the water. Why won’t they take that approach and play more football? Most of the players who played in that game are playing now, so what is the problem? The defense is doing ok, although they do need to start being able to stop the run more. Florida, like Miss State, kept the ball the majority of the game running time off of the clock getting yardage on the run. Our secondary has done pretty good on the most part with stopping big pass plays which haunted us last year, see major improvement in that area, however, on both sides of the ball, florida dominated the line. If you cannot control the line, you’re most likely going to lose the game. Let’s look at something else here, we have had problems running the ball all year. People are playing the line more because they are not afraid of JJ throwing the football. If they will open the offense more and start hitting some big pass plays, it will cause defenses to respect our offense more therefore open up the game more where we can run. With the indecision, the reserved plays protecting the football, we’re getting our tails kicked. Granted, Florida came into the game with a much better game plan, but in alot of ways, we beat ourselves as we have all year by playing so careful that other teams are able to predict what we are going to do before we do it. The range of plays LSU has used this year has been way too few as we have lost our element of surprise which LSU has always had. Granted I understand that JJ is young and needs to be coached, but let the man air it out more, we can do to other teams what we did to GA Tech last year. We have a very good team, but they have to be coached and they have to be disciplined, but they also need to be able to play. Being too careful will add several more L’s on the Lost column if we don’t start opening up more.

by dsrimages on Oct 12, 2009 10:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

we got outcoached

we could not come up with an offensive scheme or adjustments to keep the offense on the field..that’s what good coaching does against the best teams..

by jack89 on Oct 12, 2009 11:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs