As LSU fans scream of getting jobbed by the PAC-10 refs at game's end, the last two plays perfectly summize LSU's imperfect season.
Let's get past the obvious first: Yes, the PAC-10 Umpire choked and blew LSU's only real chance at a last-second victory when he a) didn't apparently know the time urgency, b) didn't do his first job -clear the pile and place the ball for the next play, c) didn't notice immediately Bowman holding down Lafell and at that point either stop the clock or call a delay of gameon Bowman, and finally d) once he failed on these points, his reaction to call a personal foul was a direct result of his lack of attention to the first 3 pts.
Followup question: Why didn't the head referee step in and bring sanity to this all, and overrule the call?
Bottom line is at any sport, you NEVER lose a game because of one play. (3-4 dropped INTs, multiple dropped passes by LSU receivers, particularly Tolliver, no pass rush, Ridley's fumble, etc....)
Unfortunately the last closing, game-end plays simply are amplified because of the drama.
Now back to the bigger point. Poll any Tiger fan for their top issues with this '09 team and overwhelming consensus would have these in points in it:
1. Complete lack of game end time management
2. Highly questionable offensive play-calling
3. Lack of discipline aka numerous dead-ball penalties
4. Offensive confusion manifested in blown-assignments, mis-alignments, etc.
Let's get past the obvious first: Yes, the PAC-10 Umpire choked and blew LSU's only real chance at a last-second victory when he a) didn't apparently know the time urgency, b) didn't do his first job -clear the pile and place the ball for the next play, c) didn't notice immediately Bowman holding down Lafell and at that point either stop the clock or call a delay of gameon Bowman, and finally d) once he failed on these points, his reaction to call a personal foul was a direct result of his lack of attention to the first 3 pts.
Followup question: Why didn't the head referee step in and bring sanity to this all, and overrule the call?
Bottom line is at any sport, you NEVER lose a game because of one play. (3-4 dropped INTs, multiple dropped passes by LSU receivers, particularly Tolliver, no pass rush, Ridley's fumble, etc....)
Unfortunately the last closing, game-end plays simply are amplified because of the drama.
Now back to the bigger point. Poll any Tiger fan for their top issues with this '09 team and overwhelming consensus would have these in points in it:
1. Complete lack of game end time management
2. Highly questionable offensive play-calling
3. Lack of discipline aka numerous dead-ball penalties
4. Offensive confusion manifested in blown-assignments, mis-alignments, etc.
With 39 seconds remaining after Jefferson's 10-yard scramble to the PSU 49-yard line stopped the clock, LSU inexplicably throws a bubble-screen to LaFell netting a 4-yard gain directly in the middle of the slopfest field.
No timeouts remaining, awful footing in the middle of the field and you run a slip screen? Highly questionable play call.
Throw out the umpire choke, Hitt, a senior, just can't lose his emotions and throw Bowman off the pile. Hitt has to know better. Lack of discipline.
LSU then unexplainably took an eternity to line up for the next play (call it POMLTS - Post Ole Miss Lost Time Syndrome) : Jefferson had to motion for Ridley to line up correctly as a wide-out and once lined up properly, then took precious seconds to get the ball snapped. Complete lack of game-end time management once again.
Then the hook without ladder last play to Randle. Pass thrown to Randle, who turns and oops.. no one to pitch to. Game over. Offensive confusion manifested in blown assignments.
Oh, and who can pass up one last lagniappe question that haunted and aggravated LSU fans all season: Where was 5-star super-freshman Shepherd in this game!!??
No doubt, a perfect ending to an imperfect season.
1 comment:
I also don't understand the lack of Russell Shepherd and Ruben Randle. Both seem competent and Randle certainly couldn't have played any worse than Tolliver.
My biggest gripe with the tigers this season was your point 3 - Lack of discipline. I think that cost the tigers the games against Florida and Alabama in the regular season (didn’t see any of the Ole Miss game). I don't remember it being as big a factor in the bowl game.
LSU lost its 4 games by 10, 9, 2 and 2 and had opportunities to win every game. Here's the coulda shoulda woulda:
Florida - sloppy play, too many inopportune penalties.
Alabama - Penalties + No P.Peterson/C.Scott/J.Jefferson = no chance of winning
Ole Miss - Clock it.
Penn St. – poor offensive play selection. The entire first 1/2 was a waste. I don't know if the dropped passes/ints were a matter of discipline or not but they seemed to be a difference maker to me.
The bottom line is, even with sloppy play and all of what you mentioned LSU nearly won all of their games. I’m optimistic about what next season could hold for the tigers.
Overall I was satisfied with LSU this season. Certainly they underachieved, but I'm okay with that. Even Urban Meyer can't win it all every year. I didn't like the sloppy play, but LSU is really a perennial 1 loss, BCS bowl team if they can eliminate the false starts on 3rd and 1-4 plays and the roughing the QB on 3rd and 15 plays.
-jb
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