LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker cheered and pointed at the ball as the rest of the defense celebrated what they believed was a fourth-down stop at the goal line.
Some of the offensive players disagreed and the referees never gave a clear signal. It was one of those plays that would likely have been reviewed in a real game, but at practice on Wednesday, it was just another competitive moment.
LSU coach Brian Kelly said he wanted to put the team in a “very stressful situation,” and so on another hot August day, during their third consecutive practice, this time in full gear, the Tigers conducted several 11-on-11 duels, including one from the 10-yard line.
“We have to win close games,” Kelly said. “We have to be mentally strong towards the end of games. And we have to have the mindset that when things get tough, we can overcome the situation and win, especially on the road. That’s the kind of day we had out there today.”
The red zone began with a 10-yard touchdown run that senior running back Josh Williams bounced outside, a win for the offense. But the defense countered.
With the second team on the field, the defense stopped two inside runs on first and second down. Then they forced an incomplete pass from redshirt freshman quarterback Rickie Collins on a rollout. On fourth down, the defense switched to their dime package and sacked Collins.
The starters took the field again and the offense began with an inside handoff to sophomore Kaleb Jackson for a short gain. The defense stopped the ball again on the second attempt, but there was a flag.
At the goal line on third down, senior linebacker Greg Penn stopped Jackson on an inside run. And then the defense bent again on fourth down, making it unclear whether Jackson had scored or not.
“If you’re being held back on first-and-goal from the 10 or first-and-goal from the 6, you shouldn’t be there,” Kelly said. “You have to be prepared defensively for how we’re going to play this. Are they going to score or do we have to find a way to keep them out of the end zone?”
Kelly continued, “I’ve seen some good things defensively. The determination that we’re looking for, that we’re going to grind through, bite down hard on our mouthguards and find a way to keep them out.”
When the substitutes returned to the field, the offense had the upper hand over the defense. Redshirt junior cornerback JK Johnson intercepted a pass intended for receiver Zavion Thomas in the end zone, but was penalized for pass interference. Running back John Emery lunged over the top on the next play for a touchdown.
During an 11-on-11 period dedicated to situational passing at the start of practice, the first-team offense began with completions from Garrett Nussmeier to Kyren Lacy and Aaron Anderson.
On the third play, the defense used their dime package and brought linebacker Whit Weeks, cornerback Jyaire Brown and defensive end Da’Shawn Womack onto the field.
Lacy then caught a long touchdown with Brown in coverage, but the play was voided due to a delay of game penalty.
When the drill restarted, Nussmeier was sacked. Sophomore cornerback Ashton Stamps then intercepted a pass intended for tight end Mason Taylor before the backup players took the field.
The sophomore defense forced two consecutive incomplete passes, then freshman safety Dashawn Spears intercepted a pass from Collins.
“It wasn’t about who was the star No. 2 or the backup left-back,” Kelly said. “It was a day where attitude mattered.”
participation
Redshirt senior defensive tackle Jacobian Guillory returned to full participation Tuesday after athletic trainers examined his left knee. He was back at the forefront of defensive line drills and participated in all team phases.
First-year wide receiver Jelani Watkins has “a foot sprain and an ankle sprain,” Kelly said, adding that the athletic training staff “will get him back to full health pretty quickly.” Watkins, who sustained the injury during practice on Tuesday, used crutches and a walking boot.
