If defense can't shake Booty, LSU might rattle scoreboard

ROB KEYS
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

FAYETTEVILLE -- John Thompson and Bill Johnson do not have enviable jobs this week.
Thompson is Arkansas' co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach. Johnson coaches the defensive line. Together, Thompson and Johnson have spent the past five days trying to figure out a way to slow down what has become a proficient LSU passing attack.
"We've got a tough task at hand," Johnson said. "There's no use in sugar-coating it."
The Tigers' passing game is led by junior quarterback Josh Booty and sophomore split end Josh Reed.
"There are two things that jump out at you: Josh Reed making catches in every situation and Josh Booty's arm is as strong as anybody's in the NFL," Thompson said. "I mean, he's got a cannon."
While Booty's arm strength has never been questioned, his decision-making has. Booty was benched in favor of classmate Rohan Davey after a four-interception performance in a 13-10 home loss to Alabama-Birmingham on Sept. 23
When Davey aggravated knee and ankle injuries, however, Booty returned. What he has done since then is remarkable. In four games -- all LSU victories -- Booty has completed 73 of 132 passes for 1,036 yards, with 10 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. He also has helped put LSU (7-3, 5-2 SEC) in contention for a New Year's Day bowl.
Reed, who converted from tailback late last season, is -- statistically speaking -- one of the top receivers in the nation. His 6.4 receptions per game rank tops in the SEC and 14th nationally. His 111.1 yards per game also are tops in the SEC and rank fourth nationally.
Together, Booty and Reed form a dangerous duo.
"To me, they have the best passing game in the league," Thompson said. "We haven't played Kentucky and some other people, but this is the best passing game because it's a vertical passing game. It's down the field, and he's able to throw from hash [mark] to sideline, and it gets there in a hurry.
"When I say vertical, I'm not talking so much about the deep ball, which he's really capable of throwing, I'm talking about the deep out and the deep comeback, the 17- to 25-yard out and comeback routes.
"There's not many quarterbacks in the country that attempt those throws, or are capable of those throws, and he's completing them. I mean, it's real impressive."
Booty's and Reed's numbers are more impressive considering LSU throws the ball an average of 18.6 times fewer per game than Kentucky, which ranks first in the SEC in passing offense.
The Tigers' offense, though, is not a two-man show. Three other receivers -- Reggie Robinson, Jerel Myers and tight end Robert Royal -- have at least 20 receptions and more than 300 receiving yards.
LSU also has a potent ground attack, led by the three-man rotation of LaBrandon Toefield (682 yards), Domanick Davis (406 yards) and Devery Henderson (116 yards). When that ground game is working, as it did in a 220-yard effort in a 45-38 victory over Mississippi State, LSU can be unstoppable.
"If we get in that kind of deal, nothing else matters," Thompson said. "They'll be able to do whatever they want to do."
If the Razorbacks are able to limit the Tigers' running attack, it would set up an interesting battle, as Arkansas ranks first in the SEC and fifth nationally in pass defense, yielding 161.8 yards per game.
The most obvious part of playing pass defense is covering the receivers, but there are more subtle factors, Thompson said, beginning with generating pressure on the quarterback.
"The whole key, obviously, is to get them out of sync, get them off rhythm," Thompson said. "You do that first by playing the running game. Then you've got to find a way to make [Booty] uncomfortable, to put some heat on him. There's no secret to any of that."
Getting consistent pressure on Booty hasn't been easy for LSU opponents. Booty has been sacked only 10 times all season, largely because he often operates out of the Shotgun formation and usually unloads the ball in a hurry.
The offensive line also has shown steady improvement.
"I think Josh Booty was probably pretty talented when the season started. I think [Reed] was probably pretty talented when the season started," Johnson said. "But I really think their offensive line has come to a point now that's made all this come together."
To combat LSU's offensive line and Booty's quick release, Arkansas likely will mix up how, when and where it blitzes.
"Their offense is well-rounded, but we're going to come after them just like any other team," free safety Ken Hamlin said. "We're going to come after them with everything we have."
Whether Arkansas rushes two players or seven, Thompson said, making Booty uncomfortable will be critical to Arkansas' hopes of knocking off a ranked opponent for the second consecutive week.
"If he doesn't feel any pressure, it's going to be a long day for the Hogs," Thompson said.
With Arkansas' bowl hopes on the line, it also could be a long winter.

This article was published on Thursday, November 23, 2000

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