Three Observations from LSU win over Georgia Southern

Freshmen show out in first time under the lights

With so many areas going right for the Tigers in game one of the 2019 season, it was difficult to narrow down what stood out the most. The new look Tiger spread offense outgained the Eagles 472-98, the defense forced two turnovers to a team that committed only five in 2018 and 14 different receivers and running backs caught at least one pass.

Here are a few things that stuck out to us in the Tigers 55-3 opening night victory.

LSU has found its punt returner

Derek Stingley gives you that feeling that any time he's back as punt returner, there's a chance it could be for a score. It's that Trindon Holliday, Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu feeling, and it's special.

The sample size was admittedly small, with the freshman only attempting two returns. But he turned them into 52 yards and both times, flipped the field to give the Tigers great field position. 

On the first return, Stingley made about five tacklers miss and looked for a second as if he might take it all the way for the Tigers second touchdown in less than five minutes. One strong cut was all that was needed on the second return to churn up another big gain. 

"I thought he was phenomenal," Orgeron said."He's going to make you miss. There was one punt coming out of there endzone where we didn't do a good enough job of blocking. So we need to do a better job of freeing him up and I think the guy is going to make some tremendous plays."

"He gives us the ability to strike, have good field position," Orgeron continued. "We had Reggie Bush at USC and I'm not saying he's Reggie Bush but once this guy gets it down I think he's going to be very dangerous."

When the LSU defense would force three and outs or get timely stops in 2018, punt return was just a formality. It would be either a fair catch signal just hoping the receiver wouldn't muff the punt or a return for minimal gain. Now it seems like the Tigers have a real difference maker lining up back there and should make for an entertaining addition to all LSU games.

Cade York goes 2-for-2 in first time under the lights

The freshman York looked confident and poised in his first Saturday night in Death Valley, drilling field goals from 39 and 48 yards while going 7-for-7 on extra point attempts.

"He's been on point in camp and he didn't blink tonight," Orgeron said. "I thought he did a great job."

York became the first LSU true freshman to attempt a field goal in the modern era and just the second true freshman kicker to attempt an extra point, the last being Chris Jackson in 2003.

The freshman will be under immense pressure to deliver the rest of the season with his next opportunity coming against a top-10 team in Texas on the road.  

Tigers deep at inside linebacker

We've been hearing the name Damone Clark all camp and with Michael Divinity suspended for an unspecified, in-house reason, the sophomore made his first start along side Jacob Phillips and didn't miss a beat.

The two totaled for 19 tackles on the night while the defense as a whole held the Georgia Southern triple option to 98 total yards, an offense that averaged 266 rushing yards per game in 2018.

Clark, who appeared in 12 games for the Tigers in 2018 but only recorded one tackle, was surprised when he found out he'd be starting his first game as a Tiger. Used primarily as a special teams body a season ago, Clark was happy to get the start and make a name for himself on the defensive end.

"I couldn't believe it at first, it was surreal," Clark said. "I'm happy I got the start." 

Clark said the team had heard about the triple option offense for weeks and that the coaching staff would caution patience as the best tool for preparing for it. Clark found himself holding back a bit more than usual but said the in those situations he was just reacting more and thinking less.

"We really trusted the coaches," Clark said. "The triple option is really hard to defend even if it doesn't look like it is, you have to do your job. If you're not doing your job it's going to cost your team."

Phillips said Clark really stepped up in his first major appearance for the Tigers and that the team will need to rely on him moving forward to have sustained success.

"Everything clicks for different people at different times," Phillips said. "I think it's all just clicked for him and it's working out pretty well."

So what was the biggest thing Clark took away the most from his first starting experience?

"We have the best fans in the world," Clark said. "The fans were just loud from the time we stepped on the field"