2003 D vs. 2011 D

[Hatchertiger]

Nootch brought up the 2003 defense  in another topic and it got me thinking about some of the great defenses we've had. I know how 2011 ended and the bad taste it left in everyone's mouth.  That team was still 13-0 headed into that game and did beat InbredGumps at home and the truth is InbredGumps should not have gotten a "redo". No need to rehash that and all that goes with it.  At least in the SEC by 2011 the conference I'd say was still a "power" conference and had not sold out to the "spread" so its probably a fair comparison. I'm kind of doing this on the fly without a ton of research but I believe its a fair comparison:

2003

#1 Defense at 252 yards per game:

http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2003&div=4&rpt=IA_teamtotdef&site=org

#18 Pass Defense at 185 yards per game:

http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2003&div=4&rpt=IA_teamtotdef&site=org

#3 Run Defense at 67  yards per game:

http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2003&div=4&rpt=IA_teamtotdef&site=org

#1 Scoring Defense 11 points per game:

http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2003&div=4&rpt=IA_teamscordef&site=org

 

2011

#2 Defense at 261.50 yards per game:

http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2011&rpt=IA_teamtotdef&site=org&div=IA&dest=O

#8 Pass Defense at 171.48 yards per game:

http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2011&rpt=IA_teampassdef&site=org&div=IA&dest=O

#5 Rush Defense ar 90.07 yards per game:

http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2011&rpt=IA_teamrushdef&site=org&div=IA&dest=O

#2 Scoring Defense at 11.29:

 http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/natlRank.jsp?year=2011&rpt=IA_teamscordef&site=org&div=IA&dest=O

 

 

Let's face it, at the end of the day, the object of the defense is to keep the other team from scoring. Who cares if they run and pass up and down the field? If you can't score, you can't win a football game. 2003 wins that stat by the thinnest margins.  Hope to dive more  into it once I have more time.

 

 

[Nutriaitch]

the 2011 secondary was probably the beat defensive backfield i’d ever seen assembled.  Hell you had guys that barely sniff the field have NFL careers  

but the Dline in 2003 would have eaten the 2011 DL as a snack before breakfast.

Spears, Hill, Lavalais, Kyle Williams. 

un reals

[Hatchertiger]

Yes that’s why teams only averaged  67 yards rushing.

Edited December 1, 2020 by Hatchertiger

[Nutriaitch]

Cadillac Williams getting tossed like a little femaledog on 4th down was BEAUTIFUL. 

[Nutriaitch]

i’m still convinced Lavalais domination in that game is why Mr Dorsey got chopped in ‘07.  

Tuber-bloviator got flashbacks and called for a code red. 

[Hatchertiger]

11 minutes ago, Nutriaitch said:

 Tuber-bloviator got flashbacks and called for a code red. 

[Fishhead]

Lynn Swann:

"Coach Stoops, what can you do to get going against this #1 defense?"

Big Game Bob:

"WE'RE the #1 defense. They're the #1 SCORING defense"

Fish: "Ummm, that's kinda the goal,  BGB"

[Hatchertiger]

This is the play I will never forget from the 2003 defense.  I was sitting in the middle of the OM season ticket holders section at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium when it happened. You had silence and dejection and four fools (maybe a little bit tipsy) in purple and gold yelling and screaming like madmen:

Quote

Lavalais’ most memorable play came Nov. 22 at Ole Piss, the rivalry’s biggest game in decades.

LSU went to Oxford No. 4 in the BCS rankings, but a 19-7 loss in October to Florida left the Tigers (9-1, 5-1 SEC) with no margin for error in their quest for the SEC Championship Game and the national championship. That’s because the No. 15-ranked Rebels (8-2, 6-0) would clinch a berth in the SEC title game with a win.

It was a struggle from the start. On the Tigers’ first play from scrimmage, Matt Mauck overthrew Michael Clayton and Ole Piss cornerback Travis Johnson ran back an interception for a touchdown, sending Vaught-Hemingway Stadium into a frenzy.

 

LSU took a 17-7 lead early in the fourth quarter when Mauck hit Devery Henderson on a 53-yard touchdown pass. But Ole Piss came right back to make it a 17-14 game on a 10-yard Eli Manning pass to Brandon Jacobs. Nearly 11 drama-filled minutes remained.

After missing a tying field goal with 4:15 left, the Rebels faced fourth-and-10 at their 42 with 1:50 remaining. Manning took the snap but tripped over the foot of left guard Doug Buckles and fell to the turf, a turnover on downs. Buckles’ foot was in Manning’s way because Lavalais shoved him backward.

https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/sports/lsu/article_c9e8acc6-3477-11eb-8b89-53d85bb0b60c.html