“I am very pleased with tonight’s outcome, and I am very pleased Coach Miles is our coach”.
Advertisement
After that last touchdown, LSU fans also could be heard chanting “Keep Les Miles”, and “We want Les, We want Les”. While there is a definite rift between coach and the athletic department at LSU, Miles is everything this program needs. Did LSU back down when it became clear they couldn’t get Jimbo Fisher or a replacement of a similar caliber?
Alleva made the official announcement to the media about 30 minutes after the game.
Miles spoke candidly at his post-game press conference about the last few weeks, coaching with the constant questions about his future. “For that to happen, there would have had to have been a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors”. “At one point, he was 4 of 17, and I just want you to know, that’s not good enough”.
It is hard to judge whether or not the massive fan support at Tiger Stadium tonight had any affect on the decision to keep or cut ties with Miles. Miles was able to bring in Zach Mettenberger, who is now a backup in the National Football League with Tennessee, but Mettenberger only came to LSU after being kicked out of Georgia and spending a season in junior college. “I think no one expected that”, said sports talk show host Ronnie Rantz. “We are committed together to working to win to compete at highest level”.
In classic Miles fashion, LSU dominated the Aggies (8-4, 4-4 SEC) on the ground with 244 yards to 89. Quarterback Brandon Harris completed just 7 of 21 passes for 83 yards with an interception. LSU’s offense is predicated on a strong running game led by star running back Leonard Fournette, but LSU’s offensive line was dominated during its three-game losing streak and the running game was stymied.
Miles said he would consider changes to his staff and offense. “The guy who delivered our body blows was Leonard Fournette”. Coach Miles is our football coach and will continue to be our football coach. The Tigers rank 25th nationally in total defense (342.5 YPG) and 45th in scoring defense (24 PPG), and yet Steele’s defenders had an unfortunate habit of getting out of position and surrendering long touchdowns for much of the season.
In reality, there were essentially three categories of LSU fans: those who absolutely wanted Miles gone, those who appreciated Miles’ contributions to the program but thought it was time for change, and those who believed Miles deserved at least another year. “LSU played very well on defense”. However, one of the field goals he made came after Christian Kirk’s fumbled kickoff return in the first quarter.
The game was a defensive struggle pervaded by penalties and missed field goals.
“It is kind of hard when the quarterback can’t set his feet and move the ball down field”, Sumlin said.
The Aggies, who led 7-6 at halftime, scored their lone TD on Allen’s 8-yard, third-down pass over the middle to Ricky Seals-Jones.
Advertisement
In the end, LSU didn’t need the missed points.
