Ed Orgeron, LSU committed to improving run game

Perhaps the writing is on the wall for LSU head coach Ed Orgeron, who took full responsibility for the team’s subpar performance as the Tigers fell to 3-2 with a home loss to Auburn.

Orgeron’s offense through five games has been abysmal, and the LSU head coach understands that the team needs to find a quick fix. The Tigers average 373.8 yards of total offense per game, a number that ranks 84th in the country, lower than LSU’s high-powered offense is accustomed to falling. Perhaps its greatest weakness so far has been the rushing attack, which has been staggeringly poor. LSU is averaging just 70.6 rushing yards per game, which ranks 128th out of 130 Division-I programs; only Mississippi State ranks lower among SEC teams.

In Wednesday’s SEC Coaches’ Teleconference, Orgeron asserted that LSU is working to fix the rushing attack, and the Tigers are committed to finding a solution to the ailment.

“I’m never, ever going to use [assistant coaches] as an excuse. [Offensive line coach Brad Davis] is a good coach. We need to be more committed to the run,” Orgeron said. “We’re doing some different things this week, hopefully that can help us with the run. But obviously, having a new coach in the middle of the summer teaching different things could affect stuff, but it shouldn’t be to the extent that we’re not very good running the football. That should not be a factor.”

Through LSU’s first four games of the season, neither Corey Kiner nor Tyrion Davis-Price have been able to solidify themselves as a reliable option in the backfield. Kiner has 32 rushes for 166 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns, while Davis-Price has 45 carries for 141 rushing yards. Despite the Tigers’ struggles in the backfield, Orgeron seemed confident in his rushing game moving forward.

“The style of run of which we’re doing is not working so we have to change some things,” Orgeron continued. “I think that has more to do with it than anything.”

Orgeron denied that LSU’s offensive line or its particular running backs are the problem. He shouldered most of the blame, saying that the style must change from a play calling perspective.

It won’t be an easy task for LSU’s run game to improve in the immediate future, either. The Tigers head to Lexington to face a 5-0, No. 16-ranked Kentucky team that boasts an impressive run defense on Saturday. Kentucky has allowed just 104.4 rushing yards per game so far, and gives up just 0.4 rushing touchdowns per game.