The totals for passing yards are misleading. There were 3 or 4 passes that were dropped. If I remember correctly. Had they been caught, we would've had another 70+ yds passing. And possibly 7-14 more points on the board. http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=332850099
School hasn't changed, Junior. Near the end of the 4th quarter, we had 153 yards rushing and 152 yards passing. Then we went to the run on the last drive to run out the clock and ended up with 175 yards rushing. That is what anybody would call a balanced offense. This season LSU has 1359 rushing yards and 1901 passing yards. Hard to call that run-heavy. LSU is a team that likes to run the football, but LSU also passes frequently and is a long, long way from being one-dimesional, as recent teams have been. Barrow was all over the place. Welter really stopped one rush cold and he was actively reading and waving guys into position.
Welter also had a very nice open-field tackle on a screen pass on third down. If he misses the guy, it's a first down as there was no one else in sight.
Say what we want....it was definately a much better performance by the defense, the only one I saw running around out there that did not belong is welter again....yes he makes takles, but he makes the 4-6 yards downfield, he does not make takles up near the line of scrimmage. Several plays he ran around unblocked, got penetration and whiffed on the tackle....i thought our fdefense was better when we had louis in the middle in the first half.
Welter made an impact play on 3rd down. I'll take that. I do agree what Welter and Loston are the liabilities in this defense. Eugene being put in a position to succeed and he came through with flying colors (play to his strengths and not his weaknesses, ala Roman Harper). You do agree with that?
I gave you a clear and concise lesson on what defines a "balanced" offense. I can't help you beyond that.
I think both of you guys are right to an extent. LSU is coached by Les Miles so we will always be a run first, slightly more run oriented team. He has that smash mouth mentality. During the recent success LSU has had under Miles and Saban, LSU has been a run first school. A smash mouth team if you will. I do think we sometimes try to run the ball a lil too much, too soon(esp against UGA). I do think previous to the UF game LSU should have thrown first to help open the run. Teams start out knowing we will look to run first. All that said, this team is VERY balanced. LSU will throw on running downs. Something we havent seen in quite a while. LSU can turn to a dangerous passing attack with the utmost confidence. Mett was off in the UF game but the OL had by far their best game run blocking. They owned the UF DL. I dont at all blame them for being a bit more run heavy at the end of the game. Balance is both statistics and being able to run or pass consistently when you want. LSU is a very balanced team. We just wont be a pass first, pass happy team.
