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LSU coach Les Miles talked about his team and took questions from callers during the Les Miles Show on Wednesday night.
Miles and the fifth-ranked Tigers (6-0) host Western Kentucky (6-1) this Saturday at 7 p.m. Eastern time. The game will be shown on ESPNU.
It would be easy for the Tigers to look ahead to their showdown with No. 8 Alabama on Nov. 7 in Tuscaloosa, but Miles says his team can’t afford to overlook anyone, including Western Kentucky, which is 6-1 so far this season.
Miles asked about not looking ahead to Bama: “There is no bigger one ahead. It’s always about the opponent we’re about to play.” #LSU
— Marcus Rodrigue (@RodrigueAdv) October 22, 2015
Miles: “I promise you, these Tigers will be directed toward this opponent and none other.” #LSU
— Marcus Rodrigue (@RodrigueAdv) October 22, 2015
One of the biggest plays in the Tigers’ 35-28 win over Florida last Saturday was the fake field goal that wound up going for the winning score. Miles said that kicker Trent Domingue, who scored the touchdown, and holder Brad Kragthorpe ran the play well enough in practice for him to be willing to call it at that point in the game.
Miles reiterates: Domingue and Kragthorpe practiced the fake FG enough for Miles to be confident running it. #LSU
— Marcus Rodrigue (@RodrigueAdv) October 22, 2015
More on the fake FG: “We felt like we needed 7. Were on the appropriate hash for that fake. We had executed well throughout the week.” #LSU
— Marcus Rodrigue (@RodrigueAdv) October 22, 2015
That doesn’t mean Miles didn’t get a little nervous while watching the Tigers run the fake field goal in the game.
Miles on the fake FG: “Too many bobbles for the ole coach.” #LSU
— Marcus Rodrigue (@RodrigueAdv) October 22, 2015
Early in the Florida game, LSU’s Tre’Davious White tried to field a bouncing punt, but was unable to handle it. The Gators recovered the ball inside the red zone, and that set up a touchdown that gave Florida an early lead. Miles defended White’s decision to try to field the punt, saying if he let it continue to roll, it would have cost the Tigers a significant amount of field position.
Somehow forgot this earlier: Miles defended Tre White trying to field that punt vs. Florida. It just took “a hot bounce.” #LSU
— Marcus Rodrigue (@RodrigueAdv) October 22, 2015
Miles’ reasoning: If punt returner gets out of the way every time, the team will lose 15 yards on the bounce almost every punt. #LSU
— Marcus Rodrigue (@RodrigueAdv) October 22, 2015
One caller asked Miles to compare star running back Leonard Fournette with former LSU fullback Jacob Hester, who played a key role in the Tigers’ run to the 2007 national championship. Miles praised both backs.
Caller asks Miles to compare to Fournette to ’07 Jacob Hester: “Both are physical, great vision and make great cuts.” #LSU
— Marcus Rodrigue (@RodrigueAdv) October 22, 2015
Tight end Dillon Gordon is out for the season with an Achilles tendon injury that he suffered last Saturday.
Actual question is about Dillon Gordon. Miles: “It was very serious injury. One that will take a full, solid year to rehabilitate.” #LSU
— Marcus Rodrigue (@RodrigueAdv) October 22, 2015
While he hates to lose Gordon, Miles feels comfortable with the Tigers’ depth at tight end.
Miles asked if he’s shuffling OL to make up for TE injuries: “We’re pretty talented at TE. … Jeter, Smith, Moreau will all play.” #LSU
— Marcus Rodrigue (@RodrigueAdv) October 22, 2015
One caller asked Miles about some of the long passes that have been completed against LSU recently. Florida completed passes of 48, 41, 38, 30 and 19 yards last week against the Tigers. Miles admitted that some mistakes had been made, but said he was confident that the defense has cleaned them up.
Miles asked about coverage busts: “It’s something that we addressed in a number of ways. We feel like this team will make adjustments.” #LSU
— Marcus Rodrigue (@RodrigueAdv) October 22, 2015
The return of Jalen Mills should help the secondary. Mills missed LSU’s first five games with a fractured fibula. He played about 20 snaps last week against Florida.
Miles: “Having Jalen Mills back is just what we need in our secondary. We’re optimistic with him and some changes that will be made.” #LSU
— Marcus Rodrigue (@RodrigueAdv) October 22, 2015
Miles wasn’t sure when fullback J.D. Moore would return from a knee injury suffered against South Carolina, but was optimistic about his progress.
Miles: “JD Moore is coming along. His leg is doing better. We’re hopeful, but we’re not sure he’ll play in this one.” #LSU
— Marcus Rodrigue (@RodrigueAdv) October 22, 2015
The Les Miles Show is held every week from 8-9 p.m. Eastern time. The show is hosted by Miles and LSU broadcaster Jim Hawthorne. The show can be heard online at this link.
