Why the LSU Tigers may be coming around

LSU has started SEC play looking like the team it hoped to be entering the season.

The Tigers (2-1, 1-0 SEC) beat Mississippi State 23-20 in their conference last Saturday in Tiger Stadium. Danny Etling stabilized the quarterback position in his first start, Leonard Fournette returned from injury to have a 100-yard rushing game, the defense was dominant at times and the special teams were solid.

But, now ranked No. 18, LSU plays its first SEC road game against Auburn on Saturday, knowing there's still a need for improvement in every phase.

"It wasn't perfect in any way," Tigers coach Les Miles said, "but we got a real good start in conference play."

Etling, a junior transfer from Purdue who earned the start with a solid but unspectacular performance in relief of Brandon Harris in a win vs. Jacksonville State a week earlier, completed 19 of 30 for 215 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions.

"He extended plays, ad-libbed and did things he was supposed to do," Miles said. "He made plays with his feet."

On third-down plays, Etling competed 6 pf 9 for 96 yards and the touchdown.

As for Fournette, after resting a sore ankle a week earlier he carried 28 times for 147 yards and two touchdowns, but he fumbled twice and lost one, the first time he had lost a fumble in 414 carries.

Miles, who has been known to immediately bench others runners in the wake of even one fumble, is more forgiving with Fournette.

"He's one of the most ball-secure runners that I've ever had," Miles said. "I'm sure he'll continue to be, it will just be a little refresher course there."

The defense had six sacks and helped the Tigers to a 23-6 fourth-quarter lead before Fournette's fumble and a an onside kick recovery helped the Bulldogs score two touchdowns in a 40-second stretch that made the lead precarious in the closing minutes.

"We've got to finish out games," LSU safety Jamal Adams said. "We've got to finish stronger, we've got to put a nail in them."

Auburn is 1-2 and 0-1 in the SEC a 29-16 loss at home to Texas A&M in its conference opener last Saturday.

NOTES, QUOTES

PLAYERS TO WATCH

--Junior QB Danny Etling has won the starting position from Brandon Harris, at least for another week. After Etling sparked the offense in relief of Harris two weeks ago, Miles said the Tigers would count on both quarterbacks the rest of the season. But Etling was efficient against Mississippi State (10 of 30, 215 yards, 1 touchdown, no interceptions) and Miles said he'll start against Auburn. Etling gave LSU the offensive balance that had been elusive under Harris. "It's always been my desire to be 50/50 on an on any given down, you're going to have to defend the pass and the run," Miles said. "I just felt like this is much more what we were in search of."

--WR D.J. Chark started and got extended playing time amid the struggles of junior Malachi Dupre. Chark's 14-yard touchdown reception was his first in 14 career games and he even rushed the ball twice (though for minus-8 yards) as the Tigers experimented with a new wrinkle. Dupre and senior Travin Dural are still the top two options, but the Tigers have been searching for other dependable receivers even before Dupre struggled with drops in the first two games. Chark has an opportunity to prove he belongs in the rotation consistently.

--Junior S Jamal Adams had his biggest impact of the young season against Mississippi State. He finished with a game-high nine tackles, which was one more than he had in the first two games.

--DE Lewis Neal was a big factor in a defense that generated five six against State. The challenge for him and his colleagues on the defensive line will be different against Auburn's option rushing attack this week.