First and foremost, one small point: The last play of the 2005 Capital One Bowl will do more for the LSU defense than Tommy Moffitt, Les Miles, or any other moment or situation that came about during the 2004 LSU Football season. The gut-wrenching way that come-from-behind patented win was taken from us will stick in the craw of the defense, and indirectly, the entire team, for a long, long time this offseason. It was exactly what the younger players needed. When I say this team will use the last :30 of that game to fuel their fires for a long time to come, I really mean it. On to the game: I was on my way back from New Orleans for most of the 1st half, though I did get to watch the long run by Broussard... It sounded as if the LSU defense played straight up against the Hawkeyes, and even had Tate on the run with two picks. We forced four turnovers, of which only two ended up in the Tiger's hands, as they fumbled twice, from what I heard. It was our offensive line that was totally getting destroyed by their D-line. It sounded depressing to hear Hawthorne and Moreau deploring the absolute bushwhacking our offensive line was taking. The 2nd half started out well. We adjusted to the sellout against the run, and started moving the ball through the air, which was a positive. The pick from Randall had more to do with his injured ribs than any mistake in execution. If he wasn't hurt, he'd probably have zipped that one in there. Inserting Matt Flynn into the game, period, was a dumb move. This was perhaps the worst coaching decision that Nick Saban has made in his tenure at LSU. I was disappointed, and I don't care if Flynn looked like Joe Montana during bowl preparations, the only two with big-game experience were #'s 4 & 12. I think that LSU should have attacked the pursuit of the Hawkeyes with more draws and delays...We saw it a little bit, but we should have taken much more advantage of the overpursuit of Iowa defense. Putting Flynn in the game with a clear indication that LSU would have to go to the air to move the football was pure folly. I could not believe that we were going with an untested arm in a situation tailor made for our gunslinger. I am still wondering what the heck was going through the coaching staff's collective minds on that one. When Russell went in, I am probably just like everyone else who expected him to come out firing. We all knew he wasn't going to hand the ball off. But, his results were amazing. I think watching Flynn go in was the ultimate light bulb for this kid. I also think that, judging from Skyler's performance late in the passing game, its apparent he was nowhere near even 90% throughout the season. The time off helped his ankle off so much it was like he was a different wide receiver. Bowe also stepped it up in the passing game and made it known that even though it had taken 11 games, his sophomore slump was over. All in all, I think we proved that next year's passing performance-with the caveat of us needing the proper coaching-will excel as long as we are healthy. I also think that yesterday, in the 4th quarter, JaMarcus Russell finally made it clear that he is the future at quarterback for LSU. On defense, I think we played superbly, save for the drive in which Iowa was able to run the ball somewhat effectively on the way to a touchdown to go up 24-12. Finally, it was very, very sad to see 14 points given up by two players who have made so many plays for LSU over their careers. Senior Cory Webster-after watching the replay-clearly missed an assignment of adjustment on the first long touchdown. Ronnie Prude unfortunately was the only man playing zone against Iowa that late in the game, and when he released his man to what he thought was deep over the top coverage, it cost LSU the game. I will say this, though...Anyone who has a tape of the game, watch #11 absolutely block Travis Daniels in the back for a good 6-8 strides after the reception...Daniels very well may have saved LSU's season with a tackle, but due to an uncalled penalty, he could only lay a mitt on the guy in passing. All in all, a bittersweet season for LSU, as it could be legitimately argued that we could have actually been an 11-1 team this year. Close, agonizing losses on poor execution against the likes of Auburn & Iowa clearly showed that this year, the football gods just were not with LSU. I am happy with our results. I am happy for our players, and no matter who becomes our next head coach, I remain excited about our future. LSU Football...It's fantastic...
"We adjusted to the sellout against the run" Sorry to differ, but the Hawks played the same defense we've played all year. Our four down linemen try to penetrate and the LB'ers fill the gaps. We seldom blitz or bring up support... unless it's an obvious run situation. I can assure you we did very little differently on defense than we have all year. You're "sell-out" version is quite funny. What did you "adjust to"... you came out passing and just upped it in the second half. Also, as you can imagine, we have watched the final play many times. Hinkle(#11) brushed him from the side, not the back, and had his hands in the air to avoid any question.... best you watch it again. It was a great, hard-hitting game... with mental breakdowns by both teams. Deciding now that there was some flagrant uncalled penalty at the end is, well, sour grapes. But I guess if we had lost, we'd have some Hawkeye fan on our forum convinced that Skyler Green pushed off on his TD catch... some things are universal.
There was undeniably contact of the "Block in the Back" nature, but as many Tigers have said "don't let the refs decide the game". Sour Grapes - a little, Valid call - probably
Great photo...Hawker will now attempt to evoke the Warren Commission's "Magic Bullet" Theory to tell us how the #9 on the back of TD's jersey was actually not the "back", but it was the front...It's all a matter of a bad angle on the part of the photographer there... LOL! I agree that it's a heat of the moment play, but a penalty is a penalty...But, giving up a special team's touchdown, and the ridiculous extra-point situations that vexed this team to the end were more responsible.
I pretty much agree with your assessment, but you forgot about the horrid play of special teams, which ended up being the difference in the game. Why on earth has Derek Dooley been allowed to retain his responsibilities in this area and why (if the preliminary reports are true) would Saban want him as ST coach of the Dolphins? This is the second bowl game in a row that a blocked punt has led to a TD. I realize the team was able to rebound from it, but wipe those 7 points off the board and we win. I was very proud of the way we fought back in the second half just like we've done all year and how we never quit, but poor clock management (the spike on first down) on the final drive and special teams gaffes caught up with us again.
lol... Boy, is that slow-motion or what. I've been staring at that picture for ten minutes... nobody's moved yet! I particular like Chandler's grip on #24's arm. The Hawks are a "touchy, feely" group of guys, for sure.
Wow. Blocking in the back and holding on the same play. No call from the Big-10 referee team, of course.
