Coach Geezy in the Big Easy Part III: Legacy | From Bourbon St. to the Bayou

[Deegeezy]

LSU Tigers News Clips

Jenkins

report courtesy Jordan Hebert, LSUSports.net

LSU | 4-star RB Jenkins commits
Tue, 22 Aug 2028 08:23:17 -0700
Jordan Hebert of LSUSports.net reports that LSU's 2029 recruiting efforts are off to a hot start, as the school received a commitment from 4-star RB T.J. Jenkins (6-1, 205, 4.54 40-time, #12 rated RB) this week. Jenkins, a Gulfport, Mississippi native, will add tremendous depth to the Tigers' backfield, and he could be a candidate to be the future replacement for current starting RB Scottie Rodgers (80 ovr) in a couple of seasons. He chose LSU over the likes of Texas Tech, Penn St., and Florida St.

Notably, Jenkins is a first cousin of current Tulane junior RB Teddy Jenkins (85 ovr), who played for second year LSU head coach D. Geezy when Geezy was the head coach of the Green Wave. With Gulfport being just over an hour drive from New Orleans and less than two hours from Baton Rouge, the younger Jenkins should feel right at home with the Tigers.

2029 LSU Recruiting Class - pre-regular season week 1

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Ultra-versatile linebackers Derek Kerr (#11) and Will McNeal (#99) are seen here taking commands from LSU linebackers coach Mark Richards in positional drills during last week's final open public practice.

report courtesy Carley McCord, WDSU-TV New Orleans

LSU | Kerr, McNeal both turning heads in practice
Tue, 22 Aug 2028 17:29:23 -0700
Updating her previous report, Carley McCord of WDSU-TV New Orleans indicates that the LSU coaching staff is extremely excited about its linebacker corps heading into the 2028 season, most notably with the duo of sophomore LB Will McNeal (80 ovr, 89 spd) and freshman LB Derek Kerr (75 ovr, 92 speed). McNeal, who plays the the LB/DE hybrid "Buck" position in defensive coordinator Charles Kelly's 4-2-5 defense, finished the 2027 season with 85 tackles and 7 sacks as a true freshman, displaying tremendous versatility while making great use of his 4.46 40-time he clocked before his rookie campaign in Baton Rouge. Kerr however, has been the star of Tigers practices thus far as the team prepares to take on Florida St. on Sunday night.

LSU hopes that both McNeal and Kerr can play to the level of their linebackers coach Mark Richards, who accounted for 25 sacks during his three year collegiate career at Tulane.

The Wells Branch, Texas native, who ran a blazing 4.38 in the 40-yard dash during prospect workouts a year ago and was reportedly LSU's #1 player on their recruiting board last year, has been absolutely incredible as both a pass rusher and as a sideline to sideline linebacker. Seen lining up at LB, DE, and as the LB/slot CB hybrid "Star" position in Kelly's base defense, he has also intercepted a pair of QB Rob Mason's (86 ovr) pass attempts during live team drills.

"We feel very, very good about where our unit is at," said LSU linebackers coach Mark Richards, who ironically but probably not coincidentally also made a name for himself as a versatile linebacker during his playing days at Tulane under Tigers head coach D. Geezy and in the NFL.

"In a lot of ways, both Derek and Will remind me of what I was during my playing days, in that they can both rush the passer and have motors that allow them to show up on the screen on almost every play when watching tape, but that's where the comparison ends in my eyes. Coach Kelly made the comment to me the other day that having those two players out there was like having two of me out there, and that was quite humbling to hear because when I am out there coaching them, I feel like I could only dream of having the type of speed and athleticism that these guys have displayed.

"The plans we have for these two will be a lot of fun. You will see formations where they're both at LB in a 4-2-5 alignment, you may see some base sets where one of them is lined up at DE with the other behind him blitzing as a linebacker, and we can also line them up opposite each other at both end positions on passing downs in certain situations. We think the speed they have along with the scheme versatility these two give us will give teams a lot of problems this fall."




___________________________

Head coach D. Geezy and 28-year old special teams assistant Joel Ryan chat at LSU's spring game this past April.

report courtesy Erin Andrews, Fox Sports

LSU | Geezy wants more starters on special teams
Wed, 22 Aug 2028 01:17:23 -0700
Erin Andrews of Fox Sports reports that LSU head coach D. Geezy informed her late Tuesday evening/early Wednesday morning that the Tigers plan to use more starters on special teams, in an effort to improve both their coverage units and their return units this season. To-be sophomore return man Brady Carter Jr. did return both a kickoff return for a touchdown and a punt return for a touchdown last season as a freshman, however he averaged just 21.7 yards per kick return along with an awful 3.8 yards per punt return.

WR Brady Carter Jr. had both a kickoff return and a punt return for a touchdown last season, however the team is taking steps to improve on those numbers as well as his return averages in 2028.

"We have to get better overall at blocking for one thing, especially with our gunners on punt returns, said Geezy. One of the things (first-year special teams assistant) Joel Ryan and I discussed when we first brought him in and over the course of the spring and summer is just how we lost so much in terms of hidden yardage, weekly. If we are to contend in the SEC, we cannot afford that, so we're not going to be afraid to put some of our front-line guys in on special teams to correct the issues and to make sure that we have the best talent we can have on the field."

"Myself, Joel, and (coaching intern) Reggie Moore all got together and took a look at what we did during their time as return men at Tulane, and we saw that there were more starters on special teams, as well as 4 or 5 offensive linemen on kickoff return units, where as this past year, we used a lot of reserves and athletic types, and no offensive linemen. Joel had 9 return touchdowns in his career with me at Tulane and three "Return Man of the Year" awards, and Reggie had 5 return touchdowns in his career, so we hope to duplicate that success in order to get ourselves to the next level as a program. Every inch matters; special teams is a pivotal part of that, and that's a big reason why both Joel and Reggie are on our staff."

Editor's Note: As indicated in the story, I plan to go back and look at my years at Tulane in which Reggie played (2014-2017) and when Joel played (2018-2021) and duplicate some of the things we did in terms of personnel on special teams units which helped make those two guys great.




___________________________

Click here to view 2028 LSU Tigers Roster

[R1zzo23]

Re: Coach Geezy in the Big Easy Part III: Legacy | From Bourbon St. to the Bayou

Wow must have been an insta commit landing the 4* RB that early. Can’t wait to see the two LBs wreaking havoc on the opposing backfields this season!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Deegeezy]

Wow must have been an insta commit landing the 4* RB that early. Can’t wait to see the two LBs wreaking havoc on the opposing backfields this season!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Yes sir, T.J. Jenkins was an instant-commit. LSU started off first on his list, we offered him a scholarship, and he committed on the spot. I feel very good about him and think he could be a key piece for us down the road.

As you can tell by the multiple write-ups, I am extremely pumped up about the duo of Derek Kerr and Will McNeal. Their overalls aren't the best obviously, but as you can tell from the letter grade team ratings from around the nation, a guys rated in the mid to high 70s or a guy rated in the low 80s can really shine if they have good attributes in certain spots.

A linebacker with 92 speed, rushing off the edge, will be deadly. I hope I am not setting myself up for disappointment by hyping him up so much, but I am very anxious to see #11 in actual game action, because he is really tearing it up at practice, and I didn't just make that up for the news article write-up.

[kmold2222]

Re: Coach Geezy in the Big Easy Part III: Legacy | From Bourbon St. to the Bayou

Love the work you do! I started silently reading your dynasty about a few months ago and never really posted but I am amazed at the work you do. Nice job. Also, I am trying to do a dynasty on my own (just for fun) but I do not really understand playbooks or anything. I have 2 really talented RBs. How do I maximize the time that both of those guys are on the field at the same time? What plays, formations, playbooks? Thanks

[Deegeezy]

Love the work you do! I started silently reading your dynasty about a few months ago and never really posted but I am amazed at the work you do. Nice job. Also, I am trying to do a dynasty on my own (just for fun) but I do not really understand playbooks or anything. I have 2 really talented RBs. How do I maximize the time that both of those guys are on the field at the same time? What plays, formations, playbooks? Thanks

I really appreciate the kind words and also you taking the time to respond, kmold.

This is a difficult question to answer without you disclosing which version of NCAA you're using.

Also, are your running backs pass-catching types or are you simply trying to get them both carries? I'd try to find a playbook with at least one or two shotgun two-back formations if you're trying to throw them the ball. You can use package subs to rotate them in and out as well.

I have had the best RB success with the Ole Miss and Syracuse playbooks, but again, that is with NCAA '11.

That said, I am glad you asked this question, because I will be introducing a more refined approach to splitting my running backs' playing time this year. I plan to use three backs primarily, and will rotate them based on time remaining in each quarter.

To start the game, RB Scottie Rodgers (80 ovr) will be my starter with RB Greg Hearn (77 ovr) spelling Rodgers when he's tired and/or when Rodgers is lined up in the slot.

At the start of the second quarter, I will be moving Hearn to the starter spot and my third string RB D.J. Weaver (71 ovr) to the backup slot. Those two will split time up until about the 4 minute mark of the second quarter (worth noting that Hearn is a converted WR, so he will get some slot reps as well).

Once we get to under 4 minutes to go in the first half, Rodgers will be inserted back into the game as the starter, with Hearn as the backup.

Things will remain that way until the 4 minute mark of the 3rd quarter, when I will once again go with Hearn and Weaver. And then, at the start of the fourth, it will be Rodgers and Hearn to close out the game.

[kmold2222]

Re: Coach Geezy in the Big Easy Part III: Legacy | From Bourbon St. to the Bayou

I really appreciate the kind words and also you taking the time to respond, kmold.

This is a difficult question to answer without you disclosing which version of NCAA you're using.

Also, are your running backs pass-catching types or are you simply trying to get them both carries? I'd try to find a playbook with at least one or two shotgun two-back formations if you're trying to throw them the ball. You can use package subs to rotate them in and out as well.

I have had the best RB success with the Ole Miss and Syracuse playbooks, but again, that is with NCAA '11.

That said, I am glad you asked this question, because I will be introducing a more refined approach to splitting my running backs' playing time this year. I plan to use three backs primarily, and will rotate them based on time remaining in each quarter.

To start the game, RB Scottie Rodgers (80 ovr) will be my starter with RB Greg Hearn (77 ovr) spelling Rodgers when he's tired and/or when Rodgers is lined up in the slot.

At the start of the second quarter, I will be moving Hearn to the starter spot and my third string RB D.J. Weaver (71 ovr) to the backup slot. Those two will split time up until about the 4 minute mark of the second quarter (worth noting that Hearn is a converted WR, so he will get some slot reps as well).

Once we get to under 4 minutes to go in the first half, Rodgers will be inserted back into the game as the starter, with Hearn as the backup.

Things will remain that way until the 4 minute mark of the 3rd quarter, when I will once again go with Hearn and Weaver. And then, at the start of the fourth, it will be Rodgers and Hearn to close out the game.

That sounds like a good plan! It'll keep your RBs fresh and less risk of injury. I am using NCAA Football 14. They aren't necessarily pass catching backs but they can contribute in the passing game if my receivers can't get open.

[nofx94]

Re: Coach Geezy in the Big Easy Part III: Legacy | From Bourbon St. to the Bayou

I really appreciate the kind words and also you taking the time to respond, kmold.



This is a difficult question to answer without you disclosing which version of NCAA you're using.



Also, are your running backs pass-catching types or are you simply trying to get them both carries? I'd try to find a playbook with at least one or two shotgun two-back formations if you're trying to throw them the ball. You can use package subs to rotate them in and out as well.



I have had the best RB success with the Ole Miss and Syracuse playbooks, but again, that is with NCAA '11.



That said, I am glad you asked this question, because I will be introducing a more refined approach to splitting my running backs' playing time this year. I plan to use three backs primarily, and will rotate them based on time remaining in each quarter.



To start the game, RB Scottie Rodgers (80 ovr) will be my starter with RB Greg Hearn (77 ovr) spelling Rodgers when he's tired and/or when Rodgers is lined up in the slot.



At the start of the second quarter, I will be moving Hearn to the starter spot and my third string RB D.J. Weaver (71 ovr) to the backup slot. Those two will split time up until about the 4 minute mark of the second quarter (worth noting that Hearn is a converted WR, so he will get some slot reps as well).



Once we get to under 4 minutes to go in the first half, Rodgers will be inserted back into the game as the starter, with Hearn as the backup.



Things will remain that way until the 4 minute mark of the 3rd quarter, when I will once again go with Hearn and Weaver. And then, at the start of the fourth, it will be Rodgers and Hearn to close out the game.

Seems like you've got it figured out. In my PS2 dynasty I have a 95 overall, 93 overall, and 91 overall backs. The first two combined for over 300 yards in our first game of the season and the third hardly contributed at all.

My plan so far was to add flexbone and sub one in at fullback but maybe this is smarter. We ran a lot of I form option in the first game. Also toying with putting two in the slot positions in spread flex and running the two triple option plays out of there somewhat.

Yours allows you to not deviate from your general way of doing things, which is probably necessary considering the lack of custom playbooks.

[Deegeezy]

That sounds like a good plan! It'll keep your RBs fresh and less risk of injury. I am using NCAA Football 14. They aren't necessarily pass catching backs but they can contribute in the passing game if my receivers can't get open.

Thanks man...I look forward to seeing how this all works out and seeing what their stats look like after a couple of games. I feel like most teams in real life use at least three backs each game, so the hope is that this refined rotation helps to simulate that a little better moving forward. I also like the overall concept of my new offensive coordinator, Bryce Allen, bringing new ideas to the table.

Seems like you've got it figured out. In my PS2 dynasty I have a 95 overall, 93 overall, and 91 overall backs. The first two combined for over 300 yards in our first game of the season and the third hardly contributed at all.

My plan so far was to add flexbone and sub one in at fullback but maybe this is smarter. We ran a lot of I form option in the first game. Also toying with putting two in the slot positions in spread flex and running the two triple option plays out of there somewhat.

Yours allows you to not deviate from your general way of doing things, which is probably necessary considering the lack of custom playbooks.

I am admittedly not too familiar with option offenses, at least not in the video game world, so I cannot comment there too much unfortunately.

I do believe, as you note, that you can run a conventional offense and still get multiple backs involved; it just takes creativity, particularly in the passing game.

Doing it this way, there will be moments where I have my starter Scottie Rodgers at tailback, there will be moments where he's lined up in the slot or out wide while second string Greg Hearn is in the backfield, and there will be times where Hearn is in the slot or out wide while third string back D.J. Weaver is in the backfield. Ideally, I'd like to see a touch distribution that looks similar to this each game (obviously all depends on game-flow):

Scottie Rodgers: 15 to 18 carries + 6 to 10 receptions
Greg Hearn: 8 to 10 carries + 4 to 6 receptions
D.J. Weaver: 6 to 8 carries + 2 to 4 receptions

[Deegeezy]

Game 1, Year 2 Preview (2028 season): LSU Tigers at Florida St. Seminoles

GAME 1 PREVIEW

Courtesy









Latest Line (courtesy Bovada - Las Vegas):


....................2 1/2....................

2027: In last season's contest, with under a minute to go in the game, then-true freshman WR Brady Carter Jr. dropped this perfectly placed deep ball by QB Rob Mason which potentially could have been the game-winner.

Last Meeting: These two teams met a year ago in Baton Rouge, in what was both of their 2027 regular season openers and in what was the debut game of head coach D. Geezy with the Tigers. Unfortunately for Geezy and the LSU faithful, despite his team at one point leading by 18 points, they lost to Florida St. in comeback fashion, 28-24. After getting an early 3-yard touchdown run by then-true freshman RB Scottie Rodgers along with two touchdowns from its defense, LSU stormed out to a 21-3 first half lead. However, behind the efficient passing by former Seminoles QB Junior Reese along with a strong performance by then-junior RB Kelvin Powell (262 all-purpose yards), FSU was able to come back to win the contest after the Tigers' offense went stagnant for most of the remainder of the game. Following last season's defeat, LSU is currently 2-9 all-time versus the Seminoles.

Starting Lineups/Key Players:





* - IMPACT player

Click here to view 2028 LSU Tigers Roster





2027 Season Recaps:


: For a third straight season, despite last year's hiring of two-time national champion and six-time SEC champion head coach D. Geezy away from rival Tulane, LSU finished the year 8-5, a record that includes a very disappointing 51-38 loss to Wisconsin in the Gator Bowl on New Year's Day. With senior QB Rob Mason now heading into his fourth and final year as LSU's starting quarterback, the Tigers hope to get out of the abyss of mediocrity and to at least finish a season ranked for the first time since 2022. The team is set to return 9 starters on offense, losing only its starting fullback and center, but will return just 5 starters on defense in 2028.



: Despite going into the 2027 season with sky-high expectations and being ranked 10th in last year's preseason Coaches Poll, Florida St. finished the year with an abysmal 4-8 record, failing to qualify for a bowl game for the first time since 2023 after winning double-digit games and qualifying for BCS bowl bids each of its previous three seasons. The Seminoles will be hoping for a big year from star RB Kelvin Powell (91 ovr), who shocked many when he elected to return for his senior season in Tallahassee. The Noles will be returning 7 starters on offense and 7 on defense, including stud linebackers Darnell Mooney (84 ovr), Jason Newby (83 ovr), and Marcus Young (80 ovr).





Schedules/Results:











Head Coach D. Geezy's Take

LSU second-year head coach D. Geezy addressed the media on Thursday as his team gets set to take on FSU on Sunday Night.

We feel really good about our team this season, really good. We return most of our offense, and though we're changing systems, we feel like the group is set to take a major leap in 2028 with so many players coming back. It obviously all starts with the guy we have under center, senior Rob Mason (86 ovr). Ball security will be key for us this year, and that's something (new offensive coordinator) Bryce Allen and I worked a lot on with Rob this off-season to help cut down in that area.

Overall, looking at their entire team, the first thing that stands out when looking at Florida St. on tape or when studying their personnel, is the sheer amount of speed they have across the board. This is going to sound like an exaggeration even though it's really not, but this may be the fastest team I have ever coached against on the offensive side of the ball. Of course RB Kelvin Powell (91 ovr, 90 spd) is one of the fastest guys in the country at the running back position, but their receiving group is like a 4 x 400 relay team. And aside from their top guy Herman Gordon (80 ovr, 96 spd), they're all massive. Dwayne Watson (78 ovr, 90 spd) is 6-5 214 pounds, the freshman Stephen Wilson (77 ovr, 95 spd) is 6-5 200 pounds, and Martel Davis (76 ovr, 94 spd) is 6-6 220 pounds. (Defensive coordinator) Charles Kelly and the defensive crew will really have their work cut out trying to defend this weekend, and it will be very important that we get a good pass rush so that QB Wallace Castillo (82 ovr) doesn't have all day to throw the ball up to these giants.

This is without question one of the most hostile environments in all of college football, and it is important that we do not allow them to get out to a fast start. This is a venue that, once that momentum gets rolling, and you hear that Tomahawk Chop song playing for the sixth or seventh time while you're down a couple of scores, it could be over for you real quick. We have to keep their crowd out of the game, and figure out what we need to do to come out of there with a big opening week win that could really set the tone for us in 2028.


- LSU head coach D. Geezy

.

[djp73]

Re: Game 1, Year 2 Preview (2028 season): LSU Tigers at Florida St. Seminoles

that secondary looks like it's gonna rain passing TDs

[Deegeezy]

that secondary looks like it's gonna rain passing TDs

Exclusive live footage of QB Rob Mason during film study earlier in the week:



I think you're right. I love our matchups this week in the passing game. The freshman Patrick Gore in particular has a bullseye painted on him. I think we can eat him alive from the slot position if we can get some one-on-one matchups.

Looking forward to this game against Florida State. Big game, that could really go either way. Florida State will be looking to start the year out on a positive note following the losing season (and missed bowl game) last year, while the Tigers will want to get a head start on what promises to be a very challenging season.

It appears Florida State has some talent at the Safety position, but they are young (both starters listed as sophomores) so I wonder if their overall inexperience could lead to your senior-laden offensive pass-threats to sneak behind them for some potential big plays? I do think if you're able to do that, they would not be able to catch up and make a tackle.

Should be an extremely entertaining game that I think the Tigers will win.

Good luck man!

This game, on paper, looks fairly even, but I have quiet confidence heading into it. I feel very good about our team this year and think we can beat anybody as long as we take care of the football.

The matchup you point out is the one I like the most - our offense against their defense, and really, I like our offense against any defense this year. Is it an offense full of guys rated in the 90s? No. But it is solid across the board and I think Mason could have a big leap this year in this new offense, an offense I had a lot of success with at Tulane in my final years there.

The defense is the side of the ball I am worried about. We're fairly young in the back-7, and the talent level in some areas isn't where we want it to be. However, I do feel like we can win with this group; great play-calling will be key on that side of the ball this year, as will our ability to force turnovers. Hopefully we can keep RB Kelvin Powell and those speedy receivers from going nuts on us this evening.

Thanks for the great feedback as always, men...Time to turn on the XBOX and FINALLY kick off the 2028 season!

[Deegeezy]

Game 1, Year 2 (2028 season): LSU Tigers at Florida St. Seminoles




NR 51 -- 1-0
NR 14 -- 0-1

RB Scottie Rodgers celebrated with WR Glen Walker following Rodgers' career-long 73-yard touchdown reception in which he ran a slant route from the slot wide receiver position. The score increased LSU's lead to 21-7, and began a 28-point second quarter scoring spree.

QB Mason, RB Rodgers, and LSU's defense all come up stellar in a big 51-14 opening day triumph over Florida St. | Senior Mason accounts for four touchdowns as Tigers start off the 2028 season in emphatic fashion | Despite low rushing totals due to not playing any of the second half with the score being out of hand, RB Rodgers accounts for 7 receptions for 119 yards and 2 touchdowns | LSU gets much-needed confidence boost heading into next week's colossal home bout with #5 Michigan

Tallahassee, FL -- A season ago, a 23rd ranked LSU squad hosted 10th ranked Florida St. in their 2027 season opener and in the debut game of head coach D. Geezy on the Tigers' sideline. The home team last season marched out to a 21-3 lead, but eventually succumbed in a heart-breaking 28-24 defeat to the visiting Seminoles. This year however, LSU was able to amass a huge first half lead once again versus the Noles, only this time they never looked back, blowing past overwhelmed FSU 51-14 Sunday night at Tallahassee. Tigers senior QB Rob Mason accounted for 340 total yards and four total touchdowns as LSU dominated the Noles from start to finish, aided by a 28-point second quarter scoring onslaught on a night in which the Tigers only punted once.

At the end of this 63-yard burst on LSU's second offensive play from scrimmage, QB Rob Mason would get stripped of the football by CB Sean Montgomery (#7), however WR Joe Burnett would scoop up the loose football and take it the rest of the way to give the Tigers an early 7-0 advantage and set the tone for the night.

After forcing a three and out on Florida St.'s game-opening series, Mason went right to work. His 63-yard scramble on LSU's second offensive play from scrimmage would get marred by a forced fumble by FSU CB Sean Montgomery just before getting to the end zone, however senior WR Joe Burnett was able to scoop up the loose football and bring it the remaining four yards for a touchdown, giving the Tigers a 7-0 advantage.

Seminoles QB Wallace Castillo would throw an interception on his team's very next offensive possession, to Tigers junior CB Jerome Harmon, and a few plays later, that would result in a 1-yard touchdown run on a 4th and goal option keeper by Mason, increasing LSU's lead to 14-0.

After leading a drive that went 16 plays for 72 yards, lasted close to 5 minutes and featured two fourth down conversions, Castillo's 13-yard touchdown pass to WR Martel Davis would briefly give the Noles hope, cutting the FSU deficit to 14-7, but that's when the aforementioned LSU first half scoring onslaught began.

Mason's 73-yard touchdown pass to RB Scottie Rodgers, who beat Seminoles freshman DB Patrick Gore on a slant route from the slot wide receiver position, increased the Tigers' lead to 21-7. That would quickly get followed up by a 23-yard touchdown run by Mason that made the score 28-7 with just over two minutes to go in the half. Then, it was time for LSU's defense to get in on the fun.

Desperate to stop his team's bleeding and get some points before half to make a game out of it, Castillo's pass attempt over the middle to WR Dwayne Watson was deflected at the line of scrimmage by Tigers true freshman reserve DE Derek Holley, and his recruiting classmate, freshman CB Vince Cromarite, was able to pluck the ball out of the air before returning it 19 yards for a touchdown that made the score 35-7 with 1:43 to go until the break. The play was a microcosm of the type of dominant defense the Tigers played on this day, as they held Castillo to just 65 passing yards on the afternoon.

"Our secondary is young and may not get the accolades that say a team like Alabama gets, but we got some scrappy young guys that will make offenses fight for every inch," said LSU defensive coordinator Charles Kelly, who coached at Florida St. from 2020-2023 before not being retained following the 2023 season despite helping the Seminoles win a national title in 2020. "I have to admit, to come in here and dominate the way we did, this one felt good for me personally."

"I thought everything just clicked tonight - the pass defense was incredible, and we held (FSU running back) Kelvin Powell in check for the most part until he got a few big runs at the end to make his stats look better. I am really proud of our group."

LSU junior CB Jerome Harmon played an integral role in holding Florida St. QB Wallace Castillo to just 65 passing yards on the day, including coming down with this first quarter interception that would eventually lead to the Tigers increasing their lead to 14-0.

Mason's 10-yard touchdown pass to Rodgers with 0:16 to go in the half made the score 42-7, all but sealing the contest and also sending Florida St.'s players and coaches to the halftime locker room to the tune of a chorus of boos from the sold-out crowd at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Mason finished the game 16 of 25 for 271 passing yards and the 2 touchdowns through the air while rushing for a team-high 69 yards and the 2 touchdowns on the ground, and Rodgers finished with 119 receiving yards while catching both of Mason's touchdown passes. Rodgers had only 3 carries for 7 yards on the night, however that is only because he sat the entire second half with the game well in-hand for LSU, as did most of the team's starters for the majority of the game's final two quarters.

Perhaps the only entertaining part of the second half came near the tail-end of the game when, after his team recovered an onside kick attempt by Florida St. after a late score and after watching his offense drive deep into Seminoles territory, Geezy elected to have sophomore PK Ross Bryant kick a chip-shot field goal on the game's final play, something that sources indicate "infuriated" the FSU coaching staff, but Geezy was not phased.

"Hey, obviously at the end there they thought they had a chance, kicking the onside kick to try to get the ball back down by 34, so I figured the game must have still been in doubt so we needed points," said the second year Tigers head coach sarcastically during his postgame conference. "I mean listen...I've decided I am not in this business to make friends. 50 points was something that was important to me and important to our team at that moment, so we took it.

"We're trying to get our program up to a certain level, and we felt the opportunity to get over the 50-point plateau was in front of us so why not take it? College football is unique and style points matter, and quite honestly, we didn't take too kindly to them doing their Tomahawk Chop dance at midfield after our game last year, so I will not apologize for the field goal. It's what we wanted and it is their job to stop us. On top of all of that, it was 4th and 3 with like four seconds remaining, and quite frankly I did not want risk adding a turnover on downs to our stat sheet.

"Besides, Coach Kelly made me do it," Geezy quipped as he left the postgame press conference to laughter from the media members in attendance.

LSU (1-0) will host #5 Michigan (0-0) next week at Tiger Stadium. The game will mark the first ever meeting between the Tigers and the Wolverines in what will be the first matchup of a two-game contract signed by the two schools last September.

Notes: LSU senior WR Russell Stephens (80 ovr) exited the game in the third quarter due to injury, and a team source indicates that he suffered a torn Achilles, ending his 2028 season and in effect, his career at LSU. Stephens, who was injured while blocking on a run play, finished last season with 467 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. After serving as the team's #3 receiver last year, Stephens was the 5th receiver on the depth chart this season...Tigers freshman LB Derek Kerr (75 ovr), who received praise throughout the team's fall training camp practices, had a very quiet evening, finishing with just 1 tackle in his debut game. Geezy indicated in his post game presser that conditioning was a big problem for Kerr, who was seen exiting the field multiple times due to fatigue throughout the contest, and was a fixture on the bench with an oxygen mask on his face. Kerr may see his special teams snaps decrease as a result, per Geezy, but the team plans to evaluate his progress for at least another week before doing anything drastic.

Many Seminoles fans decided well before the game's conclusion that they had seen enough and hit the exits early Sunday night.

Box Score

LSU Tigers at Florida State Seminoles
	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
LSU Tigers (1-0)	14	28	6	3	51
Florida State Seminoles (0-1)	7	0	0	7	14

1st

: 63 yd run by Mason and 4 yd fumble recovery TD by Burnett (Bryant kick) 7:19 -- 7-0
: 1 yd TD run by Mason (Bryant kick) 5:34 -- 14-0
: 13 yd TD pass from Castillo to Davis (Harris kick) 0:54 -- 14-7

2nd

: 73 yd TD pass from Mason to S. Rodgers (Bryant kick) 8:48 -- 21-7
: 23 yd TD run by Mason (Bryant kick) 2:05 -- 28-7
: 19 yd interception return TD by Cromartie (Bryant kick) 1:43 -- 35-7
: 10 yd TD pass from Mason to S. Rodgers (Bryant kick) 0:16 -- 42-7

3rd

: 38 yd FG by Bryant 5:23 -- 45-7
: 33 yd FG by Bryant 1:02 -- 48-7

4th

: 10 yd TD pass from Castillo to Watson (Harris kick) 3:15 -- 48-14
: 22 yd FG by Bryant 0:00 -- 51-14

Game Statistics


LSU

Click here to view 2028 LSU Tigers Roster

[size=1]
[U]
Passing                            RATING  COMP  ATT  YDS  TD  INT [/U]
 7-QB  *Rob Mason(sr)               173.4   16    25  271   2   1
 5-QB  Matt Harris(rs-jr)             0.0    0     2    0   0   0
[U]
Rushing                            ATT  YDS  TD [/U]
28-RB  D.J. Weaver(jr)              16   69   0
 7-QB  *Rob Mason(sr)                6   69   2
46-RB  Anthony Johnson(rs-sr)        4   23   0
25-RB  Greg Hearn(rs-sr)             3   14   0
33-RB  Scottie Rodgers(so)           3    7   0
[U]
Receiving                          REC  YDS  TD [/U]
33-RB  Scottie Rodgers(so)           7  119   2
13-TE  Lucas Rodgers(sr)             3   44   0
25-RB  Greg Hearn(rs-sr)             2   57   0
 1-WR  Brady Carter Jr.(so)          2   48   0 (2 kr, 38 yds | 4 pr, 13 yds)
 9-TE  Julius Broussard(rs-fr)       2    3   0
87-WR  Joe Burnett(sr)               0    0   0 (1 fr td)
[U]
Defensive Leaders                  TAK  SOLO  AST  TFL  SCK  INT [/U]
21-CB  Vince Cromartie(fr)           8    7    1    0    0    1 (1 td)
99-OLB *Will McNeal(so)              6    5    1    2    0    0
90-LE  Matt Manning(rs-sr)           2    2    0    1    1    0
 6-CB  Jerome Harmon(jr)             2    2    0    0    0    1
11-OLB Derek Kerr(fr)                1    1    0    0    0    0
[u]
Kicking                            FG MADE FG ATT LONG  MISSED  XP MADE XP ATT [/U]
 3-PK  Ross Bryant(so)               3       3     38     n/a     6       6

[B][U]Key Team Stats:[/U][/B]
Total Offensive Yards: 453
Rushing Totals: 32 att 182 yds 2 tds
Sacks Allowed: 2
3rd down conversions: 7-13 (53%)
4th down conversions: 1-1 (100%)
Offensive Turnovers: 1
Penalties: 2 for 20 yards
Time of Possession: 19:53
[/size]

Florida St.

[size=1]
[U]
Passing                            RATING  COMP  ATT  YDS  TD  INT [/U]
19-QB  Wallace Castillo(sr)          86.6   11    22   65   2   2
[U]
Rushing                            ATT  YDS  TD [/U]
 1-RB  *Kelvin Powell(sr)           23  123   0 (5 kr, 101 yds)
19-QB  Wallace Castillo(sr)          7   52   0
25-RB  Stephen Johnson(so)           3   12   0
 6-WR  Stephen Wilson(fr)            1   -3   0
42-FB  Sean Temple(jr)               1    5   0
[U]
Receiving                          REC  YDS  TD [/U]
 1-RB  *Kelvin Powell(sr)            3   11   0
 5-WR  Dwayne Watson(rs-so)          2   14   1
 6-WR  Stephen Wilson(fr)            2    5   0
11-WR  Martel Davis(rs-sr)           1   13   1
83-WR  Herman Gordon(sr)             1   11   0
87-TE  Greg Hill(jr)                 1    7   0
42-FB  Sean Temple(jr)               1    4   0
[U]
Defensive Leaders                  TAK  SOLO  AST  TFL  SCK  INT [/U]
18-FS  Robert Wilson(so)             9    6    3    0    0    1
22-SS  Jake Mark(so)                 8    7    1    0    0    0
98-LE  Albert Stover(rs-jr)          3    3    0    2    1    0
 9-RE  Andy Graham(so)               2    2    0    1    1    0
 8-MLB *Darnell Mooney(so)           2    2    0    1    0    0
[u]
Kicking                            FG MADE FG ATT LONG  MISSED  XP MADE XP ATT [/U]
 2-PK  Vinnie Harris(fr)             0       1     n/a    57      2       2

[B][U]Key Team Stats:[/U][/B]
Total Offensive Yards: 254
Rushing Totals: 35 att 189 yds 0 tds
Sacks Allowed: 1
3rd down conversions: 3-14 (21%)
4th down conversions: 3-3 (100%)
Offensive Turnovers: 2
Penalties: 5 for 32 yards
Time of Possession: 16:07
[/size]

2028 LSU Tigers Schedule/Results

[SIZE=1]
                                                                     
Opponent (record)            Result        LSU Player of the Game                            -Record-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
at Florida St. (0-1)         W 51-14       QB Mason 340 total yds, 2 pass tds, 2 rush tds    1-0 (0-0)
vs #5 Michigan (0-0)
at #18 Texas A&M (0-0)
vs Georgia (0-0)
vs #4 Tulane (0-0)
at #8 Florida (0-0)
at #16 South Carolina (0-0)
at Auburn (0-0)
vs #3 Alabama (1-0)
vs Ole Miss (0-0)
at Arkansas (0-0)
vs Oklahoma (0-0)

[/SIZE]

Next Game:


#5 (0-0) at (1-0)

Photo Gallery

Decked out in their all-black uniforms, QB Wallace Castillo (#19) and the Seminoles were all amped up when they hit the field for the start of the 2028 campaign.




QB Rob Mason was able to find an opening in the defense for this 63-yard gain on just LSU's second play from scrimmage. Near the end of the play, Mason would eventually get stripped of the football by CB Sean Montgomery (#7), however Mason's teammate Joe Burnett was able to corral the loose ball and take it the remaining four yards for a touchdown that made the score 7-0 early.




Florida St. WR Martel Davis' diving touchdown reception cut the Noles' deficit to 14-7, however that would be the team's last visit to the end zone for quite some time.




Much-hyped LSU true freshman linebacker Derek Kerr was a disappointment in the first game action of his career, logging just one tackle on the night. Afterwards, LSU head coach D. Geezy cited conditioning issues as a reason for Kerr's lack of production, as he spent a lot of the game being subbed out and "sucking air on the bench," as the veteran head coach put it during his postgame conference.




Despite an excellent night overall for the Tigers, the team did have some issues with pass protection on Sunday night, as Mason was sacked twice on the evening, including this one by Seminoles sophomore DE Andy Graham.




LSU sophomore RB Scottie Rodgers, who sat out the entire second half of the game due to his team's large lead, finished with just 7 rushing yards on only 3 carries. However, the Louisiana native excelled in his newly enhanced role as a receiver out of the backfield and in the slot, finishing with 7 receptions for 119 yards and 2 touchdowns, all game-highs.




Pic 1 of 3: Castillo, who finished with a paltry 65 yards passing in his debut as FSU's starting quarterback, saw this second quarter pass attempt get tipped at the line of scrimmage by LSU true freshman backup DE Derek Holley (#17), a 4-star recruit last year out of Louisiana who was in the game subbing for a fatigued Kerr.




Pic 2 of 3: Following Holley's tip, fellow true freshman CB Vince Cromartie was able to run underneath the football and come away with the first interception of his career.




Pic 3 of 3: Cromartie, a 4-star recruit from San Antonio, Texas last year, was able to return his first career pick 23 yards for a touchdown, blowing the game wide open at 35-7 with under two minutes to go in the second quarter.




Perhaps the only bright spot for the Seminoles on Sunday Night was the play of star RB Kelvin Powell, who finished with 23 carries for 123 yards, however several of his big runs did not come until the fourth quarter during mop-up time.




This year's postgame scene was much different this time around for the Seminoles, who last year had players that infamously did the Tomahawk Chop on LSU's midfield logo after their 28-24 win over the Tigers in Baton Rouge, something Geezy admitted played a role in his decision to kick a field goal on the game's final play to put his team over the 50-point mark on Sunday.




LSU fans pretty much out-numbered Seminoles fans as the game came to a close, as most of the FSU faithful had already hit the exits throughout the third and fourth quarters.

.

[Deegeezy]

#3 Alabama put on the ropes by Troy but squeaks by with a 14-6 opening day win
Junior QB Matt Thompson (90 ovr) throws a late 4-yard touchdown pass to senior FB Joe Powers (85 ovr) to help Crimson Tide outlast Trojans and avoid a major opening week road upset, reminiscent of last year's shocking late season defeat to Nevada | #25 Georgia Tech dominates Texas Tech early, holds off late Red Raiders rally to win 27-17 in Atlanta | #19 TCU at #6 Texas and #2 Notre Dame at #23 Virginia Tech headline a stellar slate of games in next week's first full weekend of college football action






Scores/Standings - through week 1

2028 NCAA Football Rankings - Coaches Poll
RK	LW	TEAM (VOTES)	W	L	POINTS
1	1	USC (37)	0	0	1501
2	2	Notre Dame (21)	0	0	1425
3	3	Alabama (1)	1	0	1374
4	4	Tulane (1)	0	0	1280
5	5	Michigan (1)	0	0	1210
6	6	Texas	0	0	1142
7	7	Oregon	0	0	1076
8	8	Florida	0	0	1012
9	9	West Virginia	0	0	949
10	10	Penn St.	0	0	889
11	11	UCLA	0	0	830
12	12	California	0	0	773
13	13	Missouri	0	0	718
14	14	Miami	0	0	664
15	15	Nevada	0	0	613
16	16	South Carolina	0	0	563
17	17	Michigan St.	0	0	515
18	18	Texas A&M	0	0	469
19	19	TCU	0	0	425
20	20	Duke	0	0	383
21	21	Boise St.	0	0	342
22	22	Louisiana Tech	0	0	304
23	23	Virginia Tech	0	0	267
24	24	Fresno St.	0	0	232
25	25	Georgia Tech	1	0	199

Others receiving votes:

UCF (167), Ohio St. (138), Ohio (110), Navy (84), Colorado (60), UTEP (38), Iowa (28), Tennessee (18), Southern Miss (11)

Dropped out of poll:

None

Notable Week 1 Scores

#3 Alabama (1-0) -- 14
Troy (0-1) -- 6

Texas Tech (0-1) -- 17
#25 Georgia Tech (1-0) -- 27


Notable Week 2 Games

#5 Michigan (0-0)
LSU (1-0)

#2 Notre Dame (0-0)
#23 Virginia Tech (0-0)

#9 West Virginia (0-0)
#17 Michigan St. (0-0)

#3 Alabama (0-0)
Northwestern (0-0)

Oklahoma (0-0)
#4 Tulane (0-0)

#19 TCU (0-0)
#6 Texas (0-0)

#7 Oregon (0-0)
#14 Miami (0-0)

Bowling Green (1-0)
#8 Florida (0-0)

#10 Penn St. (0-0)
#18 Texas A&M (0-0)

Click Here to View All 2028 Team Ratings

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[nofx94]

Re: Coach Geezy in the Big Easy Part III: Legacy | From Bourbon St. to the Bayou

Well that was dominant. Must have sucked for FSU losing in those fancy unis. I hate the Tomahawk chop and that racist Hollywood chant.

Freshman corner had a huge game pacing everyone in tackles plus the pick six. Geezy threw the freshman linebacker under the bus, on the other hand.

Wild that Bama barely beat Troy. Saban has got to be losing his mind talking about his guys not being focused.

I anticipate Michigan will be a more difficult game. Good luck keeping your boys humble.

Also, great run-pass balance!

[kmold2222]

Re: Coach Geezy in the Big Easy Part III: Legacy | From Bourbon St. to the Bayou

I saw you had someone go out to injury. I can't get injuries in my dynasty to save my life. Do you adjust injury sliders to certain settings to achieve more realistic amount of injuries?

Huge win. Big boost of confidence going back home for the big game against Michigan. Rob threw a pick so if he can can limit that going forward it should be a great season for him and the team.