LSU Crushes Missouri In Orgeron’s Interim Coach Debut

LSU racked up 634 yards, by far their most in 2016, clobbering Missouri 42-7. Ed Orgeron was all smiles in his first game as interim head coach.

"I'm happy for our football team and the Tiger family," said a smiling Orgeron, who was drenched in gatorade after his team poured a bucket of it on him after the win.

Saturday marked the first LSU football game without Les Miles as head coach since January 1st, 2005. It also marked the first game this season when LSU played a dominant brand of football for 4 quarters.

"It's been a crazy week for all of us after the firing of (Miles). Coach O is excited just like all of us are excited," said Tiger running back Derrius Guice. "Coach O is like a best friend to all of us...We knew what this means to him, his family, and to us as well."

Coming off the heels of Miles' dismissal, a packed and fervent Tiger Stadium crowd of 102,071 were anxious to see a fervent Tiger effort. Wish granted.

What was the biggest difference?

"I just think mindset," explained Orgeron. "Our guys did a tremendous job of believing."

Even with star running back Leonard Fournette sitting out the contest to nurse an injuiry, the Tigers (of LSU) were led offensively by a pair of 100+ yard rushers.

Sophomore Derrius Guice put together a highlight reel, scoring the game's first touchdown on a dazzling 42 yard run. He scored the next 2 touchdowns as well, finishing with 163 yards on 17 carries, sporting an impressive 9.6 yard average.

Junior Darrel Williams scored the next 3 touchdowns for the Tigers (of LSU), earning the first 100 yard rushing game of his career, going for 130 yards on 21 carries.

As a team, LSU gained 418 yards on the ground.

Junior quarterback Danny Etling didn't throw a touchdown, but he did complete 19 of his 30 attempts for 216 yards. He nearly threw for more, but a few deep balls to open receivers sailed a few inches too far. The transfer from Purdue has been efficient at times, but continues to work on his timing on the deep throws.

"We opened up the passing game," noted Orgeron. "We loosened them up a little bit."

Defensively, LSU dominated the Tigers (of Missouri), allowing only 265 yards. Mizzou's only touchdown came on a trick play (reverse throw back to QB) in the 4th quarter.

One of the biggest disparities on the stat sheet was time of possession, where LSU held the ball for 42:36, compared to Missouri's 17:24.

LSU (3-2, 2-1) hits the road next week for an early 11am game against the #23 Florida Gators (4-1, 2-1).