LSU LB Whit Weeks named SEC Defensive Player of the Week
LSU linebacker Whit Weeks was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week after recording 18 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, and one forced fumble. Ten of Weeks’ 18 tackles were solo plays and highlight his field coverage and ability to
“Whit had 18 tackles and that’s virtually impossible in the game nowadays,” Brian Kelly said. “He was all over the field. He had great energy, great fire. He runs so well he can cover down the field. Then Greg Penn is getting everyone set up. He’s our glue guy. It’s a great combination those two guys working together right now.”
Weeks and Penn lead the team in tackles this year with 59 and 47, respectively. Weeks’ versatility has allowed him to also be impactful as a pass rusher and in coverage in a way that allows defensive coordinator Blake Baker to feel comfortable moving him around to bother offenses.
As a whole, it was the best defensive showing in quite some time for an LSU program that has become known for its offense. The defense stepped up time after time, holding the Rebels to 13 points on five trips to the redzone and forcing six sacks with an interception and a fumble.
LSU’s defense has found its footing halfway through the season and now it remains challenging in the remainder of SEC play.
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“It’s about controlling the controlables for us,” Kelly said. “Getting them in the mindset of thinking the right way has been a chore with this group. Getting them thinking one play at a time instead of everything else, just getting them focused on what’s important. They’re so much better at that than they were in week one. They are also playing with a better awareness on third down and in the redzone.
“They’re understanding the defense so much better. They are doing their job. It’s really been a consistency in messaging in executing at the highest level when you need to and to do that, you have to be able to stay locked in one play at a time. We were not great at that early on. The communication is better. We don’t have those one play mistakes anymore. We’re much more focused on doing our job consistently.”
Players like safety Major Burns, defensive end Bradyn Swinson, cornerback Zy Alexander, and cornerback Ashton Stamps also had strong showings, playing their best games of the season for LSU to get the win and move to 5-1 on the season.
Whit Weeks has emerged as a dominant presence on the Tigers defense and that’s likely to remain the case as Blake Baker leads the way with high-level linebacker play. LSU takes on Arkansas on Saturday on the road looking for another tough conference win.
