Despite Leaky Defense, LSU Wins in Washington 31-23

It was a good win, but not good enough for LSU's expectations. In fact, Tigers coach Les Miles called LSU's road game at Washington Saturday night a "setup game." Call it a blind date that nearly went terribly wrong.

Miles pointed out how LSU traveled the farthest it has ever been -- 2,550 miles to Seattle -- for a football game. He cited how the opener was played in rain and mist. He reminded fans the Huskies didn't have any distractions -- classes weren't in session last week -- and they returned a talented, experienced quarterback in Jake Locker.

"But we prevailed," Miles said. "We're 1-0 and looking forward to the rest of the season."

LSU fought past Washington 31-23, sending the Huskies to their 15th consecutive defeat -- the longest streak in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision. Miles was right, too. The Tigers prevailed on the road against an opponent that had the entire summer to scheme, and that's always a good thing to escape with your scalp.

Even so, as LSU turns its attention to its home opener Saturday against an improved Vanderbilt team that smoked Western Carolina 45-0, questions this week will certainly focus on the Tigers defense.

Is it any better from a season ago?

The chatter this offseason was about LSU regaining its edge defensively under first-year coordinator John Chavis. Even Miles liked what he watched from his defense in preseason practiced, saying, "I think the enthusiasm, the attention to detail and the want to get to the ball (has changed). To me, I think our players had an existing culture and got used to playing dominant football on defense, and I think John Chavis instills that in them with how he coaches. What kind of difference? Hopefully extreme."

An extreme makeover it wasn't.

Washington carved LSU like a Thanksgiving turkey for 478 yards and 25 first downs. That's more yardage than LSU gave up in any game a year ago, and three yards more than national champion Florida gained against the Tigers in 2008. At the half Washington had 296 yards and had converted seven of nine third downs, a troubling trend. Overall, The Tigers were unable to get off the field on third down as the Huskies finished 11 of 19. The average distance to go on the 11 conversions was more than six yards; Washington also converted its lone fourth-down conversion.

Locker kept the 18-point underdog Huskies close throughout, despite a first-quarter interception for a touchdown that gave LSU a lead it wouldn't give up. Locker was 25-of-45 for 321 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 51 yards. Washington averaged 5.8 yards per play and outgained LSU 478-321.

Following the game Miles, however, offered a unique interpretation of Washington's offensive success under first-year head coach Steve Sarkisian, a young, rising former USC offensive assistant who was credited by the media for outfoxing Chavis.

"They just studied John Chavis from Tennessee," Miles said.

"They were in great position to game plan. It was a set-up game. It was a great opportunity for them to sneak up on us." Miles also added this doozy, which could be blamed on sleep deprivation due to the three-hour time difference. "Our new defensive staff did an outstanding job. They got our players in good position to make tackles and they improved as the game went on. A lot of the night, we ran the Tiger defense that I want to see."

To be fair, Miles didn't entirely flip his lid. Chavis made some effective adjustments at the half. The Tigers limited the Huskies to just 61 yards through the first 21 minutes of the second half. They also held when it counted most, stopping a third down to force a field goal and keep Washington at arm's length at 24-16 with 5:24 remaining.

LSU's offense also did enough to win the game despite running just 48 plays - Washington ran 83.

Junior receiver Terrance Toliver caught two long touchdowns and setup a third. Quarterback Jordan Jefferson was 11-of-19 passing for 172 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. The offense had the ball for nine series, and it was basically hit or miss for the Tigers. LSU scored on four possessions - the three Jefferson touchdown passes and a 24-yard field goal.

"It was a good way to start the season," offensive tackle Ciron Black told Rivals.com.

"Washington has improved a lot. There were a lot of good things and a lot of bad things. We wanted to take the heart out of their defensive line early and we didn't do that. "But, we were able to withstand their surge. Eventually we wore them down and put points on the board."

Miles wasn't complaining either - at least publicly. Openers have a way of closing shut on teams and ruining seasons.

"We should have put it away early in the game," Miles said. "We should've have taken control earlier. But, it was a satisfying win. First-game jitters are behind us. We're 1-0 and looking forward to the rest of the season."

Defensive lapses aside -- don't worry, the guess here is those will be corrected -- it certainly beats the alternative.