BATON ROUGE — The LSU defense appeared to have picked up right where it finished the 2006 season as the Tigers put together a dominating performance here Saturday in what was the first full scale scrimmage of the spring.
Saturday’s scrimmage had the Tigers going close to 80 plays with the first and second units getting most of the snaps during the one hour and five minute workout. The scrimmage featured first-and-10 situations for the offense as well as third-and-short and long situations. The Tigers also had each unit having a turn with the two-minute drill as well as a goal line opportunity.
The scrimmage featured the No. 1 offense going against the No. 1 defense for close to 20 snaps, which included four plays in the two-minute drill. Both Matt Flynn and Ryan Perrilloux took snaps with the No. 1 offense on Saturday.
“It was a beautiful day and we had a great practice,” LSU coach Les Miles said. “We ran about 70 to 80 plays and (defensive end) Tyson Jackson and (wide receiver) Early Doucet really stuck out. Both quarterbacks looked good.
“At this point, I think the defense is ahead of the offense. We have completed eight practices so far, but we still have a ways to go. We are not where we want to be but we are headed in the right direction.”
Jackson continued his emergence as one of the nation’s top defensive ends as he recorded three sacks and a tackle for a loss during the workout. One of Jackson’s sacks came during the two-minute drill against the No. 1 offense, while his other came during the goal line drill against the No. 2 offense.
“Tyson is having a great spring,” Miles said. “He is going to be tremendous force for us. He is a leader and a quality person. He is in our unity leadership council. I have a weekly meeting on Wednesdays with the leaders on our football team and Tyson is one of those guys.”
Offensively, the play of Doucet was one of the highlights for the Tigers as the senior caught a 25-yard TD pass from Flynn against the No. 2 defense. Doucet also hauled in a 25-yard reception from Perrilloux against the No. 1 defense.
Other key plays for the Tigers offense had wide receiver Brandon LaFell catching a 34-yard pass from Flynn; Ricky Dixon with a 13-yard reception from Perrilloux; Trindon Holiday with a 25-yard run; and Richard Murphy with a 16-yard run.
Other defensive standouts for the Tigers included: Rahim Alem with a sack for a 10-yard loss; Chevis Jackson and Darry Beckwith with pass breakups; Renoldo Thompson with an interception, and Craig Steltz and Tremaine Johnson with tackles for a loss.
“Today was good day,” Miles said. “It wasn’t a complete day, but we accomplished a lot. I think the guys know to expect more, from how long we are going to practice and how much we are going to run. There is more of a comfort level with the players and coaching staff. We are getting a lot done when we step on the field and we are making progress. I feel good about where we are as we head into the final two weeks of spring practice.”
The Tigers will take Sunday off before returning to the practice field on Monday afternoon. LSU will also have practices on Tuesday and Friday next week before holding their second full scale scrimmage of the spring next Saturday in Tiger Stadium.