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Bo Pelini’s first game as LSU’s defensive coordinator did not go well
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Bo Pelini’s return to Baton Rouge did not go well. At all.
Pelini, who was hired to be LSU’s defensive coordinator for the 2020 season after Dave Aranda took the head coaching job at Baylor, was expected to bring a toughness to the Tigers defense that has been associated with his teams in the past. That toughness was noticeably absent in LSU’s first game.
Life was bad enough for No. 6 LSU, which was upset on its home turf 44-34 by Mississippi State, led by Mike Leach who was coaching his first game with the Bulldogs. It was an ugly day for the defense, which saw MSU quarterback K.J. Costello do something that no other SEC quarterback has done in history.
Costello set an SEC record on Saturday afternoon in Death Valley, throwing for 623 yards and 5 touchdowns while completing 36-of-60 pass attempts. Three Mississippi State players totaled over 100 receiving yards, led by Osirus Mitchell (183), Kylin Hill (158) and Javonta Payton (122).
Probably fair to say that Pelini and head coach Ed Oregeron will have a conversation about that one.
Pelini brings a ton of experience to Baton Rouge, having been part of the program’s national championship team in 2007. He was the head coach at Nebraska for seven seasons and at Youngstown State for five.
None of that mattered on Saturday. It was a rough homecoming for the defensive coordinator.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB