By JAMES MORAN
Tiger Rag Associate Editor
STOCK UP: Finishing Strong
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Before Saturday, LSU hadn’t scored a fourth-quarter point all season long. Yes, you read that right: LSU failed to score a point through four consecutive fourth quarters. That’s why, even though the result was already in hand, Ed Orgeron raved about the way the offense kept the pedal down late and cashing in two Darrel Williams touchdown plunges in the fourth quarter. “I challenged our guys to finish, and they didn’t let up,” Orgeron said. Players affirmed that Orgeron’s revamped practice schedule helped keep them fresh for the fourth quarter.
STOCK UP: Secondary
Missouri quarterback Drew Lock came into Tiger Stadium as the SEC’s leading passer, but he quickly found out the hard way that it’s not a good idea to throw at Tre’Davious White. The All-SEC corner continued his stellar campaign, shutting down leading receiver J’Mon Moore to the tune of just one catch for 16 yards. White also picked off a Lock deep ball that hung up in the air like a de facto arm punt in the second quarter. And it wasn’t just White, as LSU gave Lock nowhere to throw all night long. He finished 17-for-37 for 167 yards with no touchdowns and that one interception.
STOCK DOWN: Offensive line health
LSU’s offensive line has been the walking wounded this season, and the hits kept on coming Saturday. Already missing starting right tackle Toby Weathersby, left guard Will Clapp left the game and didn’t return after suffering an apparent right arm injury. He was capably replaced by Garrett Brumfield. At one point, LSU also lost right guard Josh Boutte, who appeared to be dealing with cramps in his leg. With both guards missing, true freshman Donavaughn Campbell was pressed into service at right guard. This banged up group will face a much stiffer test from Florida’s front next week.
STOCK DOWN: Taking Licks
Sometimes it looks like Danny Etling subscribes to the RG3 School of Self-preservation. Fresh off taking a beating in Auburn that left his face bloodied and bruised, Etling took some heavy hits from Missouri in the first half. It’s a quarterbacks job to stand tall in the pocket and deliver, so a fair amount of sacks and knockdowns are to be expected, but somebody needs to teach Etling to slide when he takes off and runs. If Etling doesn’t start protecting himself, one of these defenses are going to knock him out of a game.
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