COMMENTS FROM LSU COACH LES MILES AT SUNDAY BRIEFING
BATON ROUGE — LSU coach Les Miles meet with members of the media on Sunday afternoon to discuss the Tigers’ 45-3 win over Arizona in Tiger Stadium. Miles had the following comments after reviewing the film from the win over the Wildcats:
“I felt like the defensive played extremely hard all day. We looked like we were enjoying ourselves with great enthusiasm, the same with the offense. It looked like a very physical football game. There was some legitimate contact out there. I like where we are at going into next week. We have had the kind of preparation that we have needed. Jacob Hester had a nice day. I still think that Justin Vincent some opportunities to run the football. Alley Broussard had a couple of big carries. He (Broussard) has to be better with ball security. I still think he’s coming, improving. I was pleased with the young tailbacks we got in there in Charles Scott and Keiland (Williams). Defensively, the secondary played extremely well. I think the linebackers are playing better and better each week. We ran the football better. We wished the JaMarcus (Russell) would have thrown that one away, but I feel like he’s doing the right things. He had a misread on one pick before the half. Hopefully we will get (Keith) Zinger back. He had a good weekend I am told. It appears that Monday, he will return to us.”
On any injuries from Saturday affecting the Auburn game …
“I don’t think there is anything that will stop our guys from playing. It was a pretty physical game, and we played hard. I think there will be some guys limited in practice on Monday but few, if any, on Tuesday and Wednesday.”
On JaMarcus Russell‘s play …
“He appears to have better foot speed and looks in better shape than he’s been. He appears to have mobility there. I think he relies on his arm, his skill. His decision-making is much better, much improved.”
On the offensive line …
“We look forward to Peter (Dyakowski) returning. I think he’s certainly a starter for us. Herman (Johnson) did some better things. There are some things he needs to improve on. It’s not as easy as you think going from right tackle to the left side of the line. He did both in that game. Hopefully, we can settle him down and get him to one spot. That might help him. You get used to training your mind, that this play means this, that this skill, means I go to my right. When you flop sides of the line, those same plays mean you are doing the exact opposite. You have to recognize where you are put and re-gear your thinking.”
On looking back at Auburn’s rushing yards from last season …
“I think that our defense wants to win the football game. They want to stop Auburn’s opportunity to stop the football whether it’s on the ground or in the air. Certainly, if they intend to put the ball on the ground or in the back’s hands, our defense has to stop them. I’m certain there are some memories of that last game in our stadium.”
On comparing this year’s defense to last year’s defense after two games …
“I think our defense is playing well. It is a different defense than what it was a year ago. There are some similarities, but we are probably a little faster at linebacker. We are a little more comfortable at linebacker than a year ago. Our ends are playing very capably. Our interior, we lose two really good players inside, but I think (Glenn) Dorsey, (Charles) Alexander and (Marlon) Favorite are up to comparisons. Our secondary is more veteran, more comfortable and ready to play. Defensively, overall, we may not be exactly the same in the front, but we might at the end of season.”
On coaching in a game of this magnitude …
“You look forward to playing an opponent in a game that really counts. This one really counts. I am looking forward going to Auburn. It is going to be a great test. As much is it just one in the standings, it is a very big one. You want to play your best against your best opponents.”
On playing several guys at tailback …
“I want guys who are fresh. I want guys that are capable of what we ask them to do. Right now, there has not been somebody who said ‘I am the guy.’ You can look forward to a similar style of play (this week) of how we play our tailbacks.”