Opinion: The honeymoon is over for Ed Orgeron as No. 13 LSU struggles all over in loss to UCLA
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Johnson continued to milk the play clock down to the final seconds before snaps. LSU consequently seemed listless throughout the game in addition to Johnson spending most of the game running away from a consistently effective pass rush.
Johnson suffered under pass rush
Johnson managed to complete 28 of 46 passes for 330 yards and three touchdowns despite constant pressure in the pocket and no running game to lean on. He was sacked only once, but usually had very little time to operate.
When he did have time, Johnson frequently threw behind receivers. Then he made a critical error early in the third quarter when he overthrew tight end Cole Taylor, who was just a few yards away. Linebacker Caleb Johnson intercepted and returned it 34 yards to the Tigers’ 17-yard line. That set up a 14-yard touchdown pass by Thompson-Robinson to wide receiver Chase Cota for a 21-10 lead.
Johnson caught a break on a 44-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Kayshon Boutte on LSU’s ensuing possession to cut UCLA’s lead to 21-17. Without umpire Rodney Lawary accidentally blocking defensive back Jay Shaw, that may not have been a touchdown.
Without a running game and with constant pressure, Johnson was uncomfortable and tentative throughout the game. Peetz needs to develop a quicker pace for his quarterback, which would help the offensive line, and he must improve the running game.
LSU running game was a disaster
The Tigers’ offensive line was consistently dominated by UCLA’s defensive line, which held LSU to three net yards on 12 rushes in the first half. LSU finished with 48 yards rushing on 25 carries.
Junior Tyrion Davis-Price was the Tigers’ leading rusher with 7 yards on seven carries at halftime and finished with 30 on 13 carries. LSU was without junior John Emery Jr. because of academic issues as well as freshman Armoni Goodwin. But had they played, it would not have made any difference. There was just not a lot of room to run.
LSU returned five offensive line starters, which sounds a lot better than it is in reality. It was an average offensive line most of the time last season, and has not improved.
Honeymoon is over
LSU coach Ed Orgeron is from Louisiana and he won a national championship two seasons ago. But he went 5-5 last season, and on Saturday this team looked like it will have difficulty losing less than five. That’s a hot seat and could get much hotter.