Orgeron says he’ll step away from micromanaging offense

Published 6:00 pm Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Danny Etling is LSU’s starting — and finishing — quarterback and the offense belongs to coordinator Matt Canada, according to head coach Ed Orgeron. 

And starting with this week’s game at Florida, it’s now both halves for both.

Orgeron admitted he stuck his nose into the offense for Saturday’s shocking 24-21 upset at the hands of Troy.

It did not go well.

“I wanted to simplify the shifts and motions,” Orgeron said of his tinkering with the original game plan. “That’s all I’ve ever done.”

He said Canada continued to call all the plays. In fact, after the game Orgeron expressed surprise, and regret, that seldom-used Nick Brossette got the carry on the game’s first play, which resulted in a fumble that set up Troy’s first touchdown.

“That was one call I wish we had back,” Orgeron said after the game. “Our third-string back got the ball. I was not aware we were going to do that. I think that’s not the way we ought to start the game.”

The deception with the shifts and motion is an integral part of Canada’s offensive philosophy. But Orgeron said that knowing the Tigers would be starting two true freshmen in the offensive line, “I wanted the guys to be in place so we knew how to block them.

“I wanted to simplify things in order for us to have less penalties, better execution.

“That’s all I’ve ever done. It’s Matt’s offense.”

The Tigers were shut out in the first half with the changes. They managed 158 yards total offense.

“At halftime he (Canada) felt like he needed to shift and motion more, which he did,” Orgeron said.

“That’s totally his option. This is totally his offense.”

Three second half turnovers hindered the comeback attempt, but the Tigers did move the ball better, with three touchdowns and 270 yards.

“This is Matt’s offense,” Orgeron said. “He runs it. He calls it. He scripts the plays. This is his offense.”

You can expect to see less of backup quarterback Myles Brennan in it.

“Danny (Etling) is our starter,” Orgeron said. “Hopefully we can go four quarters with him in a very big football game.”

Brennan has played in four of LSU’s five games, the two seemingly without regard to the game situation.

He took over in a tight game against Syracuse and started the second half with the Tigers trailing 10-0 against Troy. Etling came back in after a Brennan interception killed a potential game-tying drive.

But Orgeron said it was never the Tigers’ plan this season to play Brennan in SEC games “just to throw him in there.

“We’re just preparing Myles in case Danny got hurt, so he has some snaps and can perform. And I think he has performed pretty well.”

He said he and Canada do discuss who the quarterbacks will be used — during the week and during the game.

“We talk about the game plan and then we talk about the quarterback play and say, let’s find a time for Brennan to go in. You let me know what you think and I’ll let you know what I think … we decide on it and do it.”