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NCAA FB

VIDEO: Miles seeking more consistency from offense and defense

By FoxSports
Published | Updated
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BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Les Miles of the LSU Tigers reacts during pre game before playing the Arkansas Razorbacks at Tiger Stadium on November 29, 2013 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

QB Harris was a topic of conversation for Miles on Monday. Getty Images FOX Sports

In LSU's 31-14 loss at home to Arkansas, there were glaring issues on both sides of the ball. The Tigers committed seven penalties in the defeat -- most of which came at inopportune times. This sentiment was echoed by Les Miles during his Monday press conference.

"We pop a big run or a nice run, ten-yard-plus run, and ended up with a penalty," said Miles. "And so we continually put ourselves in third-down-and-long situations. When you do that, you tell that defense to come get you and they did."

Quarterback Brandon Harris put up respectable numbers -- finishing 21-of-35 for 271 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. Still, Miles hurled some constructive criticism towards his sophomore signal-caller.

"I think our quarterback certainly can play better," said Miles. "But there were times where he was brilliant. He was 14 of 16 at one stretch. And that's the quarterback we need to have every day."

One has to wonder whether Miles misused the quarterback earlier in the season. Leonard Fournette was the heavy focal point of the offense -- even against inferior opponents.

Against some of the smaller schools on the schedule, it may have behooved Harris to get more work throwing the football down the field, as a means to prepare for the tougher competition on the schedule. This could've in turn given Harris even more confidence as a passer.

Defensively, LSU gave up 440 yards of total offense to the Razorbacks' unit. These numbers are a bit deceiving, however, due to the fact that it gave up 201 yards on three plays, and 239 yards on the remaining 53 plays.

Miles attributed the big plays relinquished in this game to taking poor angles, losing containment, and even having "a guy in man coverage fall down."

With a road trip scheduled at Ole Miss this weekend, LSU needs to put together more of a complete effort offensive and defensively. If it can't the Rebels will make things difficult for Miles' team.

(h/t The Times-Picayune)