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LSU COACH LES MILES - Auburn week
Opening Statement…
“I
just want you to know that we showed up in Knoxville, Tenn. and the
stadium is packed with a great number of our fans and friends. I can
tell you how much fun it is for us as a team to travel and see the
great and loyal LSU following. As we drove in, there was a big throng
of LSU fans. We enjoy representing this institution. The people that
follow us are spectacular. They had the enjoyment of staying to the end
too.”
“I am pleased because anytime you go on the road in
this conference you will absolutely be tested. It certainly wasn’t
easy. I don’t think we started as fast as we have or played as crisp as
we can. Simply put, I felt that we did the things we needed to do to
secure victory. Offensively, we scored three touchdowns in the second
half. We had a 12-play drive that went for 66 yards and took seven
minutes off the clock. We had a 19-play that went 99 yards and took
eight minutes and 44 seconds. We had a 10-play drive that went 65 yards
and took six minute and eight seconds. It takes the life out of your
opponent. You secure victory. It puts our defense on the field for a
minimal number of snaps in the back end of the game. We end our
opponents’ chance of victory. We ran the ball well. We rushed for 237
yards. Again, Jarrett Lee continues to do a great job of doing the
things we ask him to do. He throws the ball well and manages the game.
I enjoyed the fact that Jordan Jefferson comes in and certainly his
team does. He gives us a different style or change up if you will
offensively. We will continue to do that. Spencer Ware continues to be
a physical force running the football and gets tough yards. Chris Faulk
is the SEC Lineman of the Week. It is kind of nice when you have
success, you move the football on the ground and move the football in
the air. It is a quiet position. Will Blackwell gets nominated and
Faulk this week. We’re thankful. We appreciate those people that are
noticing. He has had a great fall to this date. He played very well in
this last game.”
“We held Tennessee to seven points, 239
yards of total offense and 66 yards in the second half. They only had
19 total plays in the second half. The defense is playing very well.
They continue to force turnovers. On Mo Claiborne’s interception they
had just connected on a long pass and they tried it yet again.
Claiborne brings it down and returns it virtually the length of the
field. That leads to our first score. Frankly, that defense continues
to play with that style of intensity. We’re ranked it the top-10 of
virtually every statistical category.”
“We’re going to be
challenged this week. To this point in time we’re improved and continue
to answer the call. Auburn at 5-2 and as the returning National
Champion is a very talented football team. They have won 20 of their
last 22 games. Coach Gene Chizik has done a great job. His teams are
always prepared to play and play a physical style of ball. They played
two quarterbacks against Florida this past week. Clint Moseley came off
the bench in the third quarter and threw the ball well. He was four of
seven passing. Their starter Barrett Trotter is a talented guy who can
throw the football. He has thrown the ball for over 1000 yards and 10
touchdowns. Michael Dwyer is one of the best running backs in the
league. Number five is a physical and fast runner. The defense is
active with big strong and capable men. They held Florida to 194 yards
of total offense. Their defensive line is a very athletic and fast
group. Their defensive end Corey Lemonier is one of the sack leaders in
the conference. On special teams they are second on kickoff returns and
third on net punting. Our talented special teams unit will be
challenged as well. We’ll look forward to that. We look forward to
being back in Tiger Stadium and playing another Western Division
opponent. We will be challenged and look forward to meeting that
challenge.”
On which quarterback would play if the team were trailing…
“It
really depends on how the game has gone and what is called for. First
we will lead with Lee. We will make decisions thereafter.”
On Russell Shepard’s comments on defensives adjusting to LSU…
“I
don’t know exactly what Russell was in reference to necessarily. But I
think the diversity of attack with both quarterbacks is what we want.
That certainly will give defensive coordinators issues as they prepare
calls and formation attacks. Again, I like the diversity of our
quarterback play and I think it should continue.”
On controlling the time of possession…
“That
really has been an important to the back end of the games. Any time you
take your defense off the field, keep them rested and put them on a
comfortable playing schedule where they are not playing a lot of reps,
and then offensively you keep the ball and continue to grind out some
tough yardage, you will eat the clock. If they are productive drives
that end in scores, that is really what you want.”
On playing the third straight team with a new starting quarterback…
“We
always anticipate the changes that the opponent makes are for the best.
We will see their best effort and best play. Whatever they have
organized and developed, that will be the style of offense that they
run. We are very fortunate that we have two veteran quarterbacks. We
have guys that have played and been starters who understand how to play
when the game is tight. It is an SEC contest with significance. We
enjoy our quarterback situation at this point comparatively.”
On the success of the run game in the second half…
“I
think in every game there are a number of snaps that every defense
plays very fresh. When you exceed that number of snaps, no matter how
good your defense is, it is a wearing effect. You see that in the back
end of games that we play.”
On preventing injuries on the sideline such as Saints Coach Sean Payton’s…
“I
did not follow that. I have been told that Sean Payton was hurt. I
didn’t see or hear it. He had surgery and it was the ACL. I have seen
coaches that are looking for another player or not paying attention to
the field, and certainly it happens on my sideline every week. It is a
very significant risk. You see it intermittently year after year. Coach
Charlie Weis had a significant injury at Notre Dame. Joe Paterno was
off of the sideline and in the press box off of one of those. I do not
know how you set up where you avoid it entirely. It is a risk of
standing on the sideline. Frankly, I will make sure to pay better
attention.”
On simplifying the offense…
“I think it is
the understanding of how it is going to be called and when it is going
to be called. I think the plan is evident for all who are
participating. Maybe that speaks more to how that is being displayed
and coached. I think there is a real credit due to Greg Studrawa, Steve
Kragthorpe and the rest of the offensive staff.”
On what Jordan Jefferson brings…
“He
brings mobility as a runner, but also has the experience of being the
starter for game and has the ability to throw the football. He
virtually has the entire playbook on hand when he goes onto the field.
The obvious advantage is that he is a little bit more mobile. We ask
him to do some of those things.”
On the plethora of linebackers…
“I
think the mark as you see younger players to continue to evolve and
come to the field. That is what it should be. Kevin Minter is one of
those guys that continue to improve. Tahj Jones plays a lot of snaps on
special teams and is now playing a greater share on defensive snaps.
There are a number of guys there because the veterans were a little bit
nicked. When they get onto the field, they make the best of their
times. They are making their points that maybe they should stay. It is
a healthy situation. There is great competition.”
On difficulties in playing quarterback based on feel rather than designed snaps…
“I
don’t know if there is difficulty in substituting. I think both guys
give strengths and at some point in time you’re going to want to expose
the strengths of whichever guy is on the field. As long as a perceived
strength, I don’t think you can be wrong putting a guy in the game.”
On Cam Newton…
“I
certainly respect the past quarterback at Auburn. Cam Newton was a
great quarterback. I don’t think I will see another one of those.”
On post game handshakes between coaches…
“I
have had some unusual post game handshakes. Not necessarily verbal
exchanges that were not understandable. I do understand it though. It
is an emotional time. These games that we play are a little bit more
than that. When you put at risk of injury and the effort of your staff
and players to achieve victory, it is overly important. I do understand
what is a very real drama when two people cross the field at the end of
the game. I think sportsmanship and the responsibility to understand
your institution and club, over rides any personal piece that you may
want to exhibit. That is not mean and has never been me. I think it is
a responsibility of the head coach at LSU to greet the opponent’s head
coach, wish him well and send him off.”
On the team’s third center…
“Will Blackwell. He has been working there.”
On Jarrett Lee’s personality…
“I
don’t know if Jarrett is what I consider laid back. I think eh pays
attention to detail, is hardworking and is a teammate. He wants success
for his team. I don’t think he precludes just his success at
quarterback. He enjoys Jordan Jefferson’s success at quarterback. That
feel makes a difference in how his team sees it and virtually everyone
sees it. He is doing the right thing and just being Jarrett Lee.”
On PJ Lonergan…
“We expect him to practice today.”
On Michael Ford and the running backs…
“You
talk tinkering and view of our team. We do that all the time. That is
the plight of coaches. What is the best chemistry or make up. We want
to pound them yet again. We think Michael Ford comes to the line of
scrimmage fast. We think he runs it up the middle well for a guy who is
not 220 pounds. He runs it in there fast and it makes a difference. I
have no problem with him. Blue has carried some inside snaps, but again
we give thought to it every week. We look at every play, review those
guys and say maybe he should get a few more carries. We would want to
tinker and make it better. We want to make our team the best.”
On the National Championship hangover…
“I
don’t know how they approach it or what their thoughts are. The only
thing I can tell you is that we recognize that this team won a national
championship. We were on their field and played against a talented
Auburn team. We are going to look forward to hosting them and playing
them well Saturday.”
On Odell Beckham Jr. having an impact in the return game…
“I
like Beckham in the return game. I felt like he is a deceptive and
shift runner who has good speed. I think you will continue to see him
gets his snaps back there in the return game.”
On the Nike Pro Combat uniforms…
“I
can tell you that our uniform will represent LSU and look very much
like a uniform an LSU football team will wear. It will be a little
sleeker in design. The colors will be historic in base. I think you
will like the uniform. Some of the uniforms are a wonderfully artistic
reflection that someone else had. I think our guys will enjoy the
uniform and that it is the right uniform for an LSU team to wear.”
On being a traditionalist in terms of uniforms…
“I
have a difficult time with a great historic uniform that has been
changed such that you cannot recall the uniform or the team that it
represents. That is a step too far for me. I like to see LSU dressed
like LSU is supposed to dress. Other traditional football powers in a
similar format.”
On concerns on how the offense would evolve between Steve Kragthorpe and Greg Studrawa…
“I
definitely had concern and immediately felt much better when I saw the
cooperative sprit in that room coming together. Kragthorpe really
brings to the room. He has great energy and knows how to coach the
quarterbacks. He gives insight that we need. I think Studrawa with his
experience and understanding of how it gets done, really puts him in
the best position. Again, the room leans together and comes up with the
best answers. There is no one that is not contributing. It is best that
way.”
On being number one in the BCS…
“I kind of said
this the other day. I think our team is honored with the compliment. It
is a respect of the body of work that this team has accomplished. I
don’t think there is anyone in our room or building that believes that
they have reached the position they want to be in. I feel like we’re
holding a spot in some ways. I hope in some time we can claim it late
in the year. Right now we’re pleased to be the number one team.”
On Texas and Texas A&M no longer playing annually…
“The
responsibility to preserve those rivalries are Texas’s and Texas
A&M’s. Two great teams from the same state that historically
through a number of conference ties and decades and decades, for them
to decline a continuation of their rivalry, they need to give thought
to that. To me, I have always enjoyed those traditional rivalries. I am
certain that everyone in our country looks across the filed and says,
‘I want to see the teams that I am used to seeing play for
championships play for championships, play for championships.’ It is
sad. I hope like heck they find a way to keep the rivalry even if they
play in a different league. They should have a weekend where those guys
play. I know that I am not the one who should be sitting there thinking
about those two great teams in Texas or their history, but I am certain
there are a number of people who are fond of both schools who offer a
similar opinion.”
On comparing Jefferson to Ware…
“I am
not ready that Jefferson is the same physical specimen that Ware is. I
think he has size and strength, but Spencer Ware has carried the ball
so routinely through out his career that he is a different challenge to
bring down. Jefferson has speed and size, but he runs a little bit more
elusively than Spencer does.”
On choosing the Nike Pro Combat uniforms…
“I
do kind of write off on the design. I do not want to take the field in
a uniform that does not represent the great institution that I work for
and that our team enjoys representing. I like it. I think it is a great
uniform and I think our guys will enjoy wearing it.”
On the lack of the revenge factor against Auburn…
“I
think that is the view. You look at an opponent and recognize that is a
different team. It resembles the great team that they had a year ago,
but I don’t think revenge is the issue. The want to prepare to have
victory. That is it. It does not have anything to do with what the
score was in last year’s game.”
On the team embracing big time opportunities…
“I
think they enjoy nationally televised games and grand venues. They
understand challenges that they have to answer each and every week. It
is not just a game or four quarters. It is recognizing the strengths of
this opponent that they bring to bear and what needs to be accomplished
in that game within that game week. They have taken that challenge. It
is a want to improve and an ambition at the end of the season. There
are a number of factors at work here.”
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