BATON ROUGE — LSU head coach Les Miles gave the following briefing on Sunday following the Tigers 27-21 overtime loss to top-ranked Alabama. Miles will address the media on Monday at his weekly press conference starting at 12:15 p.m. Watch the press conference live in the Geaux Zone.
COMMENTS FROM LSU COACH LES MILES AT SUNDAY BRIEFING FOLLOWING ALABAMA GAME
Opening Statement…
“Except for some mistakes that were made, it may have been our best effort. We had good effort and emotion ? that’s what you want. We have work to do and things to get fixed. I still have to say that I thought the defensive line played well. I think (CB Patrick Peterson) is making plays. I think (CB Chris) Hawkins had a good game and the linebackers made more plays. We rushed the ball well with our offensive line. We competed extremely well and were productive. We’re going through some quarterback issues. At times, Lee’s improved.”
On if they tried to find things that would work for QB Jarrett Lee during the game…
“It was like that in some regards, but those things were prepared, pre-planned and worked in practice. Once in a rhythm, he’s pretty good. There were ways we could have made him better; if we catch a couple of balls and put the ball away. Our offensive linemen made it third-and-six when it should have been third-and-one. If someone else makes a play, then the quarterback doesn’t have to make the next one. It’s just harder to execute in long yardage situations.
“I enjoyed my team’s effort. There’s still a lot of football to play for and a lot of football left. We have the desire to play like we played minus the mistakes and to come in and play complete games and to do so for the remainder of our time, starting with this week first. We can still finish this season extremely well and play some quality opponents in quality games.”
On if he sees progress with QB Jarrett Lee…
“At times, he was throwing it just like we wanted him to throw it and he was reading it just like we wanted him to read it. He normally hits the hot routes extremely well and he should have made a nice adjustment and throw on the ball that got hit up into the air. I don’t think he realized what exactly was happening there.”
On what he plans to do with QB Jordan Jefferson for the remainder of the season…
“I think we have to prepare him to play. It would have been eminently hard for him to come in during the last game. I think it’s fair to him at this point to let him see some more playing time. I just think that he needs to have some playing time. I think there’s probably a piece that says Hatch or Jefferson can come in and relieve Jarrett Lee for a moment to give him a rest from managing that piece of the game. I think it’s probably pretty healthy for the team to have him go in there and give him a break.”
On QB Andrew Hatch‘s status for the week…
“It’s not very good right now, in my opinion. I would say that there is a legitimate chance that he will return during the regular season.”
On the status of C Brett Helms…
“He’ll be fine for the game.”
On the play of the offensive line…
“I think it was a very physical game on both sides. Certainly our offensive line fared very well. I think at times there was some physical blows that could create an injury, but our guys fought through and kept playing.”
On if he’s happy he can play this week or rather have a bye…
“Honestly, I’m glad to play. I want to play on Saturday. I think our team will, too.”