Tigers hold key to beating Hokies
BATON ROUGE -- The Tigers have heaped praise on Virginia Tech players this week, but one Hokie constantly referred to is redshirt sophomore tight end Sam Wheeler.
Against East Carolina on Saturday, Wheeler caught seven passes for 81 yards and a touchdown. The problem is figuring out when Wheeler is going out, because Virginia Tech often employs him as a receiver in what would appear to be non-passing situations, said LSU linebacker Darry Beckwith.
"He's very quick getting off the line of scrimmage, and we've got to get a linebacker on him, get a major body on him, so the safeties won't have to bite on him," Beckwith said. "We've got to keep an eye on him, because he's one of their big-game guys on offense."
LSU defenders say Virginia Tech quarterback Sean Glennon has the arm to hit a breath mint at 30 yards if he's given time. Therefore, the LSU game plan is to get to him early and often, hoping he will replicate something like the meltdown he experienced during last year's Chick-fil-A Bowl.
The other main offensive threat is running back Branden Ore. In Virginia Tech's opener, Branden Ore appeared to have trouble getting free past the tackles, and Beckwith said controlling the middle will be key.
"He's a very patient running back, and their concept is to get the ball north-to-south," Beckwith said. "If we can get him bouncing outside, that way maybe we can really control him or bottle him up."
NOT IN THE CLUB: The "Tiger Club" is an honor bestowed upon players after a game by assistant coaches. No special privileges accrue to membership, but the words on the back of a practice jersey signal a player of consequence. However, a scan of jerseys after the 45-0 win over Mississippi State leaves some odd omissions.
Senior wide receiver Early Doucet, who set a career high with nine receptions and a touchdown, went without the honor.
On defense, safety Craig Steltz, whose three interceptions were one shy of his 2006 total, apparently didn't make the cut either.
"Really? That's gotta be a wardrobe malfunction in the equipment room. I have no idea why he wouldn't be 'Tiger Club'," assistant sports information director Brian Miller said.
Similarly, senior cornerback Jonathan Zenon, who had a pick, two solo stops and assisted on two more, is apparently out, although other members of the starting secondary are in.
That left Chevis Jackson, who while established as an excellent tackler had just one stop against Mississippi State, as the only starter in the secondary without an interception. His teammates said that statistic did not go unnoticed by his teammates.
FRIENDLY RIVALRY: LSU's defense has been sterling for some time now, but with only one game played this season, the players said the intrasquad competition has not yet begun in earnest.
Senior Glenn Dorsey said he would not be averse to taping a stat sheet by junior defensive tackle Tyson Jackson's locker to note that -- although Dorsey had five solo tackles including a sack for an 11-yard loss against Mississippi State -- he had to look far down the list to find Jackson's name, buried near the bottom with one tackle and one assist.
Jackson, who led the Tigers in sacks and tackles for a loss last season, arched an eyebrow and quickly noted Dorsey has so far refrained from such antics. But, he conceded, if last season was any indication, such comparisons are sure to be made.
"A little friendly rivalry? Oh, yeah, we'll start that. Probably this week or a little later in the season," said Jackson.
"Last year we had a thing with the defensive ends and the tackles on a sack race, but they blew us out of the water on that," Dorsey said. "We'll get into all of that. It's good for us because the more hunger we have individually, the better we're going to be as a unit. So you can be sure all of that will start up."
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