LSU Tigers

Grading Every Aspect Of LSU's Victory Over Ole Miss

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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For a second straight game, we saw the LSU Tigers struggle early on out of the gate. But another second half domination earns them a third-straight victory. The Tigers continued to improve in every aspect of the game, and things look bright for this team going forward.

Not much went wrong for LSU, but there is still critiquing to be done. Here are our grades and analysis for the Tigers big win over the Ole Miss Rebels.

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Offense: A

From the day Ed Orgeron took over and named Steve Ensminger his offensive coordinator, this LSU team has been heavily focused on improving its production on the offensive side of the ball. Against both Missouri and Southern Miss, the Tigers were able to rack up both yardage and points, but many questioned whether that was a true indication of what this team is due to the level of competition they were facing.

Well, LSU got a chance to prove itself last night against a talented Ole Miss team, and they did not disappoint. Against the Rebels, the offense piled up 515 total yards and 38 points. Leonard Fournette was the star of the night, rushing for a school-record 284 yards and scoring 3 touchdowns on 16 carries.

The running game was as dynamic as we expected it to be, but the dominance wasn’t quite there throwing the football. LSU had taken some huge steps forward in the passing game before Saturday night,  but they didn’t produce anywhere near the level they did in their previous two games.

But, part of that has to do with the fact that Ole Miss had no answer for the rushing attack, and Danny Etling and the receivers were not asked to do nearly as much in this game. Etling did not light it up like some had hoped, but overall he had a decent outing. With the stable of backs this LSU team has, if Etling can continue to play at that level, this offense will just keep rolling.

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Defense: A-

Early in the contest, things looked bad for the LSU defense. Chad Kelly was picking them apart and the Rebels had no trouble moving the ball down the field. Ole Miss got points on each of its first two drives, and with the team’s best unit struggling, fans started to get nervous.

From then on, the defense stiffened, stopping the Rebels on the goal line on the team’s next productive drive. The only other touchdown the Tigers gave up came when Danny Etling fumbled inside his own 10 yard line, so you can’t blame them much for that one.

In the second half, the LSU defense played with an unreal energy and passion, shutting out an offense that has been one of the most dynamic in the conference at times this season. After shaking off early-game struggles, the Tigers played an all-around great game on the defensive side of the ball, and they’ll need to do so again next week against Alabama. 

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Special Teams: A

No major errors in the special teams department for LSU, and that’s really all you ask for.

Josh Growden punted 5 times for an average of 45 yards and pinned the Rebel offense deep on a couple of occasions. Punt return man Tre’Davious White had a solid day as well, returning four times for 54 yards.

Colby Delahoussaye nailed a 44-yard field goal on his only attempt and did not miss a PAT.

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