2015 LSU Tigers football | |
Texas Bowl champion | |
---|---|
Texas Bowl, W 56–27 vs. Texas Tech | |
Conference | Southeastern Conference |
Western Division | |
Ranking | |
Coaches | No. 17 |
AP | No. 16 |
2015 record | 9–3 (5–3 SEC) |
Head coach | Les Miles (11th season) |
Offensive coordinator | Cam Cameron (3rd season) |
Offensive scheme | Multiple |
Defensive coordinator | Kevin Steele (1st season) |
Base defense | 4–3 |
Home stadium | Tiger Stadium (Capacity: 102,321) |
Seasons |
Template:2015 SEC football standings The 2015 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They played their home games at Tiger Stadium, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and competed in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They were led by 11th-year head coach Les Miles. They finished the season 9–3, 5–3 in SEC play to finish in a tie for third place in the Western Division. They were invited to the Texas Bowl where they defeated Texas Tech.
Previous season and offseason[]
The 2014 LSU Tigers football team finished the season 8–5 (4–4 in SEC) with a loss to Notre Dame in the Music City Bowl, 31–28. The Tigers won all four non-conference games including the Big-Ten runner-up Wisconsin Badgers, and four SEC games against Florida, Kentucky, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M. LSU suffered its first loss of the season at home against the Mississippi State Bulldogs, the first loss to the Bulldogs since 1999 and first loss to the Bulldogs at home since 1991.
The previous season was one of the worst for LSU under Les Miles, matching the record of the 2008 LSU Tigers football team. The team did manage to sign the consensus #2 recruiting class in the country, including top rated recruits Leonard Fournette, Malachi Dupre, and Brandon Harris, all who made contributions during the season. After the bowl game, Defensive Coordinator John Chavis announced he was leaving LSU for the same position at Texas A&M. LSU hired former Alabama defensive coordinator Kevin Steele to fill the position, and subsequently hired former Ole Miss head coach Ed Orgeron to coach the defensive line.[1][2] Former defensive line coach and ace recruiter Brick Haley was demoted to an administrative position and will likely not return to the coaching staff.
LSU lost only three underclassmen to the NFL in the offseason: linebacker Kwon Alexander, cornerback Jalen Collins and defensive end Danielle Hunter; this was a large decrease compared to losing 11 underclassmen in 2012 and 7 in 2013.[3] On January 16 Les Miles held a press conference announcing that six underclassmen starters would return, including leading receiver Travin Dural and star defensive back Jalen Mills, as well as offensive linemen Vadal Alexander and Jerald Hawkins, tight end Dillon Gordon, and linebacker Lamar Louis.[4]
For the third consecutive season, LSU signed a top-ten recruiting class consisting of 25 signees, highlighted by top-rated recruits Kevin Toliver II, Arden Key, Tyron Johnson, and Donte Jackson.[5] While not as acclaimed as the previous season's consensus #2 ranked class, the class was ranked #10 by ESPN, #8 by rivals.com, and #5 by 24/7 sports.
Players drafted[]
Round | Pick | Player | Position | NFL Team |
---|---|---|---|---|
2 | 42 | Jalen Collins | Defensive back | Atlanta Falcons |
3 | 88 | Danielle Hunter | Defensive lineman | Minnesota Vikings |
4 | 124 | Kwon Alexander | Linebacker | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
7 | 235 | Kenny Hilliard | Running back | Houston Texans |
- Reference:[6]
Class of 2015 signees[]
2015 Recruits | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date | |
Nick Brossette RB |
[[Baton Rouge, Louisiana]] | University Laboratory School | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 211 lb (96 kg) | Aug 26, 2013 | |
Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png Rivals:File:4 stars.svg.png ESPN:File:4 stars.svg.png | ||||||
George Brown Jr. OT |
[[Cincinnati]] | Winton Woods High School | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 274 lb (124 kg) | Dec 6, 2014 | |
Scout: Rivals:File:4 stars.svg.png ESPN: | ||||||
Jeremy Cutrer DB |
[[Kentwood, Louisiana]] | Mississippi Gulf Coast Comm College | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | Sep 23, 2014 | |
Scout: Rivals:File:4 stars.svg.png ESPN:File:4 stars.svg.png | ||||||
Derrick Dillon WR |
[[Franklinton, Louisiana]] | Pine High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | Feb 4, 2015 | |
Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png Rivals: ESPN:File:4 stars.svg.png | ||||||
David Ducre RB |
[[Mandeville, Louisiana]] | Lakeshore High School | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | Feb 19, 2014 | |
Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png Rivals:File:4 stars.svg.png ESPN:File:4 stars.svg.png | ||||||
Blake Ferguson LS |
[[Buford, Georgia]] | Buford High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 235 lb (107 kg) | Sep 22, 2013 | |
Scout: Rivals: ESPN: | ||||||
Jazz Ferguson WR |
[[Saint Francisville, Louisiana]] | West Feliciana High School | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 197 lb (89 kg) | Feb 19, 2014 | |
Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png Rivals: ESPN:File:4 stars.svg.png | ||||||
Lanard Fournette RB |
[[New Orleans]] | Saint Augustine High School | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 184 lb (83 kg) | Jan 24, 2015 | |
Scout: Rivals: ESPN: | ||||||
Josh Growden K |
Australia | Clare H.S. | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | Feb 4, 2015 | |
Scout: Rivals: ESPN: | ||||||
Derrius Guice RB |
[[Baton Rouge, Louisiana]] | Catholic High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | May 31, 2014 | |
Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png Rivals:File:5 stars.svg.png ESPN:File:4 stars.svg.png | ||||||
Donte Jackson ATH |
[[Jefferson, Louisiana]] | Riverdale High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | Jan 21, 2015 | |
Scout:File:5 stars.svg.png Rivals:File:4 stars.svg.png ESPN:File:4 stars.svg.png | ||||||
Tyron Johnson WR |
[[New Orleans]] | Warren Easton High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | Jan 2, 2015 | |
Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png Rivals:File:5 stars.svg.png ESPN:File:4 stars.svg.png | ||||||
Arden Key DE |
[[Lithonia, Georgia]] | Hapeville Charter High School | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 225 lb (102 kg) | Feb 2, 2015 | |
Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png Rivals:File:4 stars.svg.png ESPN:File:4 stars.svg.png | ||||||
Xavier Lewis DB |
[[Laplace, Louisiana]] | East Saint John High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 183 lb (83 kg) | Jul 8, 2014 | |
Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png Rivals:File:4 stars.svg.png ESPN:File:4 stars.svg.png | ||||||
Adrian Magee OT |
[[Franklinton, Louisiana]] | Franklinton High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 310 lb (140 kg) | Apr 27, 2014 | |
Scout: Rivals: ESPN:File:4 stars.svg.png | ||||||
Brandon Martin WR |
[[Dallas, Texas]] | Prime Prep Academy | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | Feb 4, 2015 | |
Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png Rivals: ESPN:File:4 stars.svg.png | ||||||
Justin McMillan QB |
[[Cedar Hill, Texas]] | Cedar Hill High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | Jun 11, 2014 | |
Scout: Rivals: ESPN: | ||||||
Foster Moreau TE |
[[New Orleans]] | Jesuit High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 225 lb (102 kg) | Feb 4, 2015 | |
Scout: Rivals: ESPN: | ||||||
Bry'Kiethon Mouton TE |
[[Lafayette, Louisiana]] | Acadiana High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 240 lb (110 kg) | Aug 1, 2014 | |
Scout: Rivals: ESPN:File:4 stars.svg.png | ||||||
Hanner Shipley DE |
[[Marble Falls, Texas]] | Faith Academy of Marble Falls | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 275 lb (125 kg) | Jan 8, 2014 | |
Scout: Rivals: ESPN: | ||||||
Maea Teuhema OG |
[[Keller, Texas]] | Keller High School | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 330 lb (150 kg) | Feb 5, 2014 | |
Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png Rivals:File:5 stars.svg.png ESPN:File:4 stars.svg.png | ||||||
Kevin Toliver II DB |
[[Jacksonville, Florida]] | Trinity Christian Academy | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 193 lb (88 kg) | Nov 4, 2012 | |
Scout:File:5 stars.svg.png Rivals:File:5 stars.svg.png ESPN:File:5 stars.svg.png | ||||||
Chidi Valentine-Okeke OT |
[[Ludowici, Georgia]] | Faith Baptist Christian Academy | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 305 lb (138 kg) | Jan 29, 2015 | |
Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png Rivals: ESPN:File:4 stars.svg.png | ||||||
Isaiah Washington DE |
[[New Orleans]] | Edna Karr High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 245 lb (111 kg) | Feb 15, 2014 | |
Scout: Rivals:File:4 stars.svg.png ESPN: | ||||||
Toby Weathersby OG |
[[Houston]] | Westfield High School | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 295 lb (134 kg) | Feb 4, 2015 | |
Scout:File:4 stars.svg.png Rivals:File:4 stars.svg.png ESPN:File:4 stars.svg.png | ||||||
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 12 Rivals: 8 ESPN: 10 | ||||||
Sources:
|
Coaching staff[]
Name | Position | Seasons at LSU |
Alma Mater |
---|---|---|---|
Les Miles | Head coach | 11 | Michigan (1976) |
Frank Wilson | Running backs/Recruiting coordinator | 6 | Nicholls State (1997) |
Bradley Dale Peveto | Special teams/ Defensive Assistiant | 6 | Southern Methodist (1987) |
Cam Cameron | Offensive coordinator/Quarterbacks | 3 | Indiana (1983) |
Jeff Grimes | Offensive line/Running Game Coordinator | 2 | Texas – El Paso (1991) |
Kevin Steele | Defensive coordinator | 1 | Tennessee (1979) |
Steve Ensminger | Tight ends | 6 | LSU (1982) |
Corey Raymond | Defensive backs | 3 | LSU (1992) |
Ed Orgeron | Defensive line | 1 | Northwestern State (1984) |
Tony Ball | Wide receivers | 1 | UT-Chattanooga (1983) |
Reference:[7] |
Depth chart[]
The official opening day depth chart was released on August 31, 2015.[8]
|
Schedule[]
LSU announced their 2015 football schedule on October 14, 2014. The 2015 schedule consists of 7 home games and 5 away games in the regular season. The Tigers will host SEC foes Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, and Texas A&M, and will travel to Alabama, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and South Carolina.[9] The Tigers planned to open the 2015 season against the McNeese State Cowboys at home on September 5, however, several lightning delays caused the game to be cancelled. As a result, LSU will play a schedule of 11 regular season games for 2015. The Tigers officially opened their season on the road against conference and division rival Mississippi State on September 12. The other non-conference games on LSU's schedule are against Eastern Michigan, Syracuse, and WKU. This season will consist of the first meeting against the Syracuse Orange since the 1989 Hall of Fame Bowl where the Orange defeated the Tigers 23–10. Because of massive flooding to the Columbia, South Carolina area, both schools agreed to play the October 10th matchup at Tiger Stadium, while still treating it as a home game for South Carolina.
Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
September 12 | 8:15 p.m. | at No. 25 Mississippi State | No. 14 | ESPN | W 21–19 | 62,531 | |
September 19 | 2:30 p.m. | No. 18 Auburn | No. 13 |
| CBS | W 45–21 | 102,321 |
September 26 | 11:00 a.m. | at Syracuse* | No. 8 | ESPN | W 34–24 | 43,101 | |
October 3 | 6:00 p.m. | Eastern Michigan* | No. 9 |
| ESPNU | W 44–22 | 102,321 |
October 10 | 2:30 p.m. | at South Carolina | No. 7 |
| ESPN | W 45–24 | 42,058 |
October 17 | 6:00 p.m. | No. 8 Florida | No. 6 |
| ESPN | W 35–28 | 102,321 |
October 24 | 6:00 p.m. | WKU* | No. 5 |
| ESPNU | W 48–20 | 101,561 |
November 7 | 7:00 p.m. | at No. 4 Alabama | No. 2 | CBS | L 16–30 | 101,821 | |
November 14 | 6:15 p.m. | Arkansas | No. 9 |
| ESPN | L 14–31 | 101,699 |
November 21 | 2:30 p.m. | at No. 22 Ole Miss | No. 15 | CBS | L 17–38 | 60,705 | |
November 28 | 6:30 p.m. | Texas A&M |
| SECN | W 19–7 | 101,803 | |
December 29 | 8:00 p.m. | vs. Texas Tech* | No. 20 |
| ESPN | W 56–27 | 71,054 |
|
- ^[a] The game between LSU and McNeese State was canceled due to inclement weather. The game was delayed due to lightning after 5 minutes of play during which each team held the ball for one drive and no one scored. Both schools' athletic directors decided not to reschedule the game, thus declaring it a "no contest". LSU did agree to pay McNeese State its promised fee of $500,000.
- ^[b] The game between LSU and South Carolina was originally scheduled to take place in Columbia, South Carolina. However, in light of massive flooding in Columbia earlier in the week, the game was moved to Baton Rouge.[10]
- Schedule Source:[11]
Rankings[]
Week | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final | ||||||||||||||||||||
AP | 14 | 14 | 13 | 8 (1) | 9 | 7 | 6 | 5 (1) | 4 (5) | 4 (5) | 9 | 17 | RV | 23 | 22 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Coaches | 13 | 15 | 14 | 9 | 8 | 5 (1) | 5 (1) | 5 (1) | 4 (1) | 4 (1) | 9 | 17 | RV | 23 | 21 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||
CFP | Not released | 2 | 9 | 15 | NR | 21 | 20 | Not released |
References[]
- ↑ Scarborough, Alex (January 13, 2015). "LSU Hires Kevin Steele as DC". ESPN. http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/12163032/lsu-tigers-hire-kevin-steele-defensive-coordinator. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
- ↑ Scarborough, Alex (January 13, 2015). "Ex-USC Trojans Interim Coach Ed Orgeron Hired as LSU Defensive Line Coach". ESPN. http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/12166076/ex-usc-trojans-interim-coach-ed-orgeron-hired-lsu-defensive-line-coach. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
- ↑ Ching, David (January 22, 2015). "Smaller Draft Hit Should Help LSU in 2015". ESPN. http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/97180/smaller-draft-hit-should-help-lsu-in-2015. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
- ↑ Ivy, Joshua (January 17, 2015). "Six Starters Returning in 2015". Fansided. http://deathvalleyvoice.com/2015/01/16/lsu-football-six-starters-returning-2015. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
- ↑ "LSU recruiting class". ESPN Internet Ventures. 2015. http://espn.go.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/school/_/id/99/class/2015/lsu-tigers. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
- ↑ "Football – 2015 NFL Draft". National Football League. http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/tracker?icampaign=draft-sub_nav_bar-drafteventpage-tracker#dt-tabs:dt-by-college/dt-by-college-input:91. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
- ↑ "Football – 2015 Coaches". Louisiana State University Department of Athletics. http://www.lsusports.net/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=5200&SPID=2164&SPSID=28715. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
- ↑ "LSU's Depth Chart: Week 1". 247 Sports. http://lsu.247sports.com/Article/LSUs-depth-chart-for-the-2015-season-39054724. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
- ↑ "LSU Announces 2015 Football Schedule" (Press release). Louisiana State University Department of Athletics. October 14, 2014. http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209716301. Retrieved October 31, 2014.
- ↑ "Football Game Moved to Baton Rouge". University of South Carolina Department of Athletics. October 7, 2015. http://www.gamecocksonline.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/100715aad.html. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
- ↑ "2015 LSU Tigers Football Schedule". FB Schedules. http://www.fbschedules.com/ncaa-15/sec/2015-lsu-tigers-football-schedule.php. Retrieved October 31, 2014.
|