Monday’s LSU Quick Takes: Brian Kelly on Jayden Daniels, more
LSU head coach Brian Kelly met with the local media on Monday as the Tigers hit the midway point of the regular season with a 4-2 record and 3-1 mark in Southeastern Conference play.
The Tigers got a 49-39 win at Missouri this past weekend, and now LSU’s set to host Auburn (3-2 overall, 2-1 in SEC) on Saturday night in Death Valley.
A home game with Army follows the SEC West matchup, then the Tigers hit the bye week.
Here are a few highlights from Kelly’s time with reporters on Monday in Baton Rouge.
Daniels is healthy, and the offense is clicking
LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels is among the nation’s leaders in a number of stat categories ranging from passing yards, rushing yards, total yards and touchdowns.
If the Tigers were sitting at 6-0, Daniels would likely find himself front-and-center in the race for the Heisman Trophy. Though LSU has a pair of losses, the nation is starting to take notice of Daniels as one of college football’s most impactful players.
“He has separated himself from good to great,” Kelly said on Monday.
Kelly praised Daniels for the grit he showed in the road win over Missouri, and despite suffering a hit to the ribs that briefly sidelined LSU’s starting quarterback in the second half, Daniels is set to return to the field on Saturday against Auburn.
“He got hit a number of times, but he checked out well (Sunday),” Kelly said. “He had normal film study around 5:30 this morning. And he will be a full go for practice on Tuesday.”
LSU showed fight after giving up 3 touchdowns to begin the game
In the week one loss to Florida State, the Tigers were lifeless in the second half of a blowout. In the loss to Ole Miss, the defense never found an answer in a shootout that resulted in more than 100 combined points.
While LSU allowed more than 500 yards and 39 points to Missouri, Kelly said the defense “took a step” in the right direction this past weekend.
“After falling behind 22-7, we had a 42-17 scoring run on the road,” he said. “Those are some positives to take away … the resiliency and grit of the football team.”
The defense is starting to answer the bell
As Kelly said, major improvements weren’t delivered on defense. Still, the Tigers “took a step” in the other direction from where things had been trending. And, that’s a start for an LSU defense that ranks as the worst in the SEC.
“We had some key turnovers with a couple interceptions,” Kelly said.
LSU came up with a key interception from Harold Perkins in the first half, then sealed the game with a pick-6 by Major Burns in the final minute.
Kelly also praised the defense for the pressure from the front seven, and notably what the Tigers were able to do on the defensive line.
“Our physicality showed,” Kelly said. “We got a pass rush with four down linemen. Maason Smith played really well. That’s probably his best game since I’ve coached him, and we only look for him to get better and better each week.”
A tough opening stretch is now complete
Kelly said the Tigers are looking forward to returning home for Saturday’s SEC game with Auburn, and he’s got good reason to feel that way.
“Four of our first six games being on the road” didn’t provide much room error across the first half of the season, Kelly said.
Now, LSU only goes on the road once more the rest of the regular season. That matchup comes against Alabama in Tuscaloosa, but the Tigers host Auburn and Army this month before a three-game stretch in Tiger Stadium that closes out the season with Florida, Georgia State and Texas A&M.
Updating the LSU injury report
QB Jayden Daniels: Active
OL Charles Turner: Probable
LB Omar Speights: Probable
WR Aaron Anderson: Probable
WR Chris Hilton: Doubtful
The most notable news is Daniels being a full go in practice this week after taking a hit to the ribs late in the win over Missouri, but Kelly also passed along good news on LSU’s starting center.
Charles Turner, who left the game with an injury, is listed as “probable” by Kelly after the Tigers got good news upon further medical review.
“We had an MRI, and it turned out to be positive (news),” he said. “He does not (have a miniscus injury).”
LSU used backup Marlon Martinez against Missouri, but turned to true freshman DJ Chester after Martinez struggled.
“(LSU offensive line coach) Brad Davis is high on DJ and felt comfortable in that situation to put him in the game,” Kelly said. “And when he did, he did a really nice job. It doesn’t mean we aren’t happy with Martinez, we just felt like in that situation we could make the move with the confidence in DJ.”
The post Monday’s LSU Quick Takes: Brian Kelly on Jayden Daniels, more appeared first on On3.
