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LSU’s defensive line was one of the strengths of the roster as the team started 2-1, and one of the most important elements was the sixth-year defensive end. André Antoine.
The Tigers lead the country in sacks with 17, and Anthony was instrumental in the early successes with tackles for a loss on half of his tackles (4) and 3.5 sacks in three weeks of games. Anthony finished the 2020 season with 5.5 sacks in 10 SEC games, so his early start to the 2021 season has left fans with high hopes that he could be one of the greatest weapons of a defense that tries. officially to turn the page of their 2020 show.
Now it’s unclear if Anthony will be available as LSU starts the SEC game next weekend in Starkville.
On Saturday night, Anthony injured his knee and did not return.
“Thanks to everyone who reached out, I really appreciate all the love and support,” Anthony said in a Twitter post on Sunday. “Please keep me in your prayers. It is in the hands of God, praying and hoping for the best.”
Late Saturday night, LSU head coach Ed Orgeron told reporters that the first comments he received didn’t give him a good idea of what to do next.
“We don’t know yet,” Orgeron said. “I don’t know if this will go very well, to be honest with you. I have to wait and see. I will see tomorrow what will happen.
Anthony had already made his mark in the game with a scoop-and-score to give LSU a 14-0 lead over Central Michigan in the first quarter, which was the program’s second scoop-and-score after a receiving fumble. . The other came in 2018 on a touchdown from the former linebacker Michael Divinity.
With Anthony on the sidelines, LSU had to work through the rest of the night with defensive wing saves given the team’s other starter, Ali gaye, has not adapted the last two games. After starting against UCLA and sustaining a minor injury, Gaye is set to return to the field for the SEC’s opener against the Bulldogs next week.
While BJ Ojulari isn’t normally in the starting lineup when Anthony and Gaye are healthy, he’s been one of the SEC’s best rushes in passing situations in the first 13 games of his career. At the start of week four, Ojulari is tied for the NCAA lead with 4.5 sacks in three games.
LSU changed to freshman Maason Smith from defensive tackle to defensive end at various locations during Week 3, and following Anthony’s injury, the Tigers worked as substitutes Desmond Petit and Cherry Jarell in the game. Little was in a breakout game against McNeese State a week ago, while Cherry made his first appearance of the year with an ACL injury this offseason. Senior defensive end Soni fonua has missed the team’s first three games this season, while the second defensive end Philippe webb saw limited snapshots in a backup role.
While answers are yet to come on what happens with Anthony and the defensive endpoint, the Tigers have started to step up to the defensive tackle point even without a starter. Glen logan. Black-smith, Neil Farrell, Jaquelin Roy, Joseph evans and Guillory Jacobien have all put in great performances at different times this season, and on Saturday night LSU put on a talented CMU rushing offense within two yards per carry.
“We were attacking,” Orgeron said of the success against the race. “Our guys were attacking and winning their blocks on the line of scrimmage. They were hitting their guys and pushing them back. We’ve adjusted to the formations and we’re in the right game. And just play with the attitude. I’m bragging about it. Andre Carter all the time, and I think he’s a great coach. You should see him here before the game. He sets the guys on fire and they use his energy. The linebackers played well and we worked on the tackles and the conclusion all week. I think our guys did a great job doing open field tackles, just like we practiced.
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