My two cents

[kired]

I clapped.

Not because we came so close to winning, but because our guys busted their butts out there today against a much more talented team. They fought with all they had down to the last second - can't ask for more than that. Do I wish we'd have won the game?? Yeah, but you've got to be realistic. Just 2 weeks ago people were worried this team may not win another game - but we came within inches of beating the #7 team in the nation (whether they're overrated or not). Efforts like this will make it much easier for Mullen to recruit top notch players than getting blasted 45-0.

And outcoached by Les Miles?? Are you kidding me?? LSU has a 4 or 5 star guy for every 2 & 3 star guy we've got. They are a far more talented team. I think it would be impossible to find an LSU fan tonight that would agree with your statement. LSU fans (and Les Miles) are breathing a sigh of relief that their <span style="text-decoration: underline;">players</span> made that goalline stand.

 

[00dog]

Most of the posts I've read are not trashing Mullen. Most everybody seems real glad he's here.

Just because you don't agree that every call Mullen makes is perfect, doesn't mean that you don't see a much better game.

A lot of posters seem to feel the same way I do about "the series." Yes, if we execute we score. That said, you have to consider who you are asking to execute. I'm glad we have Lee because he's apparently the best QB we have at this time. But, it's not a surprise when his passes are deflected at the line of scrimmage.

The point being, I felt - and still do- that Dixon was having success running against LSU and that getting the ball to Dixon gave us our best chance to win.

That opinion doesn't prove I'm right or wrong, and sure doesn't make me a Mullen basher or disgruntled; it does make me feel for Mullen and the other coaches and players who put so much into the game and deserved to win.</p>

 

[Big Sheep81]

1) We saw an offensive line that has improved greatly from the first game to today; one many said has little talent or depth. They played a solid game today. They played TOGETHER! IF we pick up some solid recruits, our OL can be good again like they were 10 years ago.

2)AD ran the football like he is capable of and Ducre' made several good runs. Some passes were dropped that should have been caught, but RB's are getting better...last year bitching was loud and long over not trying to throw the ball because we could not run it worth a damn. Now, with Mullen, we are getting better at running and our passing game will follow. We need a couple more players to move another level but with what we have it is a damn sight better than last year.

3) Last week comments flowed over how LSU would light up our secondary. Well, HELL, we got beat on a big play but LSU did not kill us there. With a couple of exceptions, the secondary played a decent game. Again, recruiting some better talent will fix that.

4) We saw a defense that played lights out for FOUR quarters! 4 of the last 5 year, our D would have told the offense to bugger off and folded the tent. They got us the ball back and gave us a chance to win.

5) Ok, both Mullen and Lee screwed up. Damn son, is that the first time you have seen our offense do that? Does the name Woodhead McCroomvy ring a bell? Helen Keller could have made better calls based on what she saw from the booth.....at least we are LEARNING from our mistakes (for the most part), ADMITTING our mistakes, and working to correct them. Mullen is stepping up and taking the blame. Did anybody on the last staff do that?

6) Finally, Mullen stepped out on the field and showed some EMOTION in calling on our fans to make it loud during that last LSU series. Some crackhead may say that was undignified for a head coach, but it was a refreshing change from what I and others have sat through and endured since 2000. I sure as HELL hate losing to anybody, period. I am competive that way. But, by God, when I see my head coach take responsibilty, step up, do something about it and expect his STAFF and his PLAYERS to do the same, that is worth my showing all of them my respect. Winning will come with a little more time and quality players. Losing sucks. We ain't gonna win the West or most likely go bowling in 2009. But, we are getting better and we are going to continue to get better. That alone is reason enough to show all of them that as fans we are going to get better with them.</p>

 

[msudeltadawg1971]

<17> me, no, <17> you. I clapped, not because we came close, because I want our players to know that it was a hell of a game, keep their heads up, gain confidence from this effort, the stands stayed full til the end, the end of an LSU game, when has that happened in the last 10 years. If you can't see that, then you need help. You can't turn the ball over that many times and win. You take any one of those plays, pick 6, 2nd half td on first touch of the half, or the punt return and it's a different ballgame, but that's the way it happened. Our guys never gave up unlike last year.

 

[Hotel Roosevelt]

Hell, I literally felt sick when we didn't score from the 1 and a half inch line. One of the worst losses I've ever watched at Davis Wade, and I've seen plenty of those. But I saw a lot of effort and a lot of improvement out there too. A little applause at the end might not help much, but I want the team to hold their heads high and keep working, because they are moving in the right direction. They aren't there yet. Close, but not there. For the first time in a long time we actually looked like we <span style="font-style: italic;">can</span> get there.

 

[Griffdawg]

I can't believe the last 2 plays calls from the 6 " line. Dixon and Ducre were gashing LSU on the last drive and neither of them gets the ball from the 6" line? A jump pass with Tyson Lee? WTF!!! Those were horrible play calls given the personnel and down and distance. The saving grace is that unlike Croom, Coach Mullen will learn from his mistakes and improve going forward. I'm not a big "moral victory" guy. LSU played lackadaisically most of the game and they were ripe for the upset. This would have been a huge step forward for the program and we pissed it away. I realize that LSU is vastly more talented than us but they were out of sync most of the day. Dammit to hell!!!

 

[Griffdawg]

an option play from the 1 foot line is not the greatest of ideas. Too many things can go wrong and the spacing is too tight to attempt that play. Run the damn ball with your bell cow and force their D to make 2 great plays to stop it. Chances are, they don't do it.

 

[Tdawg411]

for it. Time to move on. I say that and I can't sleep because I can't get over it. HA! But we have to. Tough to be a DAWG.

 

[wbc40]

asdf

 

[Stormrider81]

when both plays yielded wide open players? If anything, it is a vindication of the playcalling. We had Green wide open and the LSU player just made a great, freakish play. Seriously, that was just a great play. He was fooled but just had enough height and athletic ability to get a mitt on the ball. The playcall was great. The 4th down playcall was great too, LSU's entire defense was in the middle of the field and Dixon had a blocker out in front. If Lee makes that pitch we win, plain and simple.

We lost for one reason - Croom didn't sign SEC level QBs. No offense to Lee, he played hard and gutsy, but he isn't one. If we had a decent QB we win by 14 today. Our WRs were open all day, we just don't have the QB to get them the ball, particularly down the field. The playcalling at the end was great, our QB didn't execute and their defender made a monster play. Cutesy playcalling is one thing, but calling two consecutive plays that should have resulted in touchdowns is what every good football fan calls effective playcalling. All the coach can do is put his players in a position to win.

 

[MSUCostanza]

Matt Wyatt made a great point on the postgame show. He said, you can't blame the playcalling, because you would hope that every play you call can gain you 6 inches. Shouldn't really matter. And like you said, we just didn't execute. Way too much to be positive about to be that upset about it. If we were ranked or had high expectations, I'd be a lot more disappointed. But considering what we have to work with, you have to be happy with the progress. Honestly, if you forget how the game ended, how many of us would have taken a 4-point loss and run with it before kickoff?

 

[BR549.sixpack]

Although the little fella tries hard, he just doesn't have the size to compete in the SEC.