Manny Diaz: Lay off the secondary, it's a new team

STARKVILLE -- Manny Diaz isn't concerned with Mississippi State's secondary. He's aware of the Bulldogs' struggles last year -- 273 passing yards allowed per game that ranked worst in the Southeastern Conference.

MSU allowed 311 yards to Southern Miss in the season-opener.

"I'm going to keep saying it, mistakes aren't all on the secondary," Diaz said. "Every pass play isn't the secondary's fault. A lot of other times there are other things going on."

The Golden Eagles passed for 208 yards in the first half. MSU responded limiting USM to 97 yards in the second half.

Linebacker Richie Brown picked off Southern Miss' first play of the second half. MSU tacked on a field goal off the turnover.

"Go watch Richie Brown's interception, and see what's happening to Beniquez Brown right at the point of attack," Diaz said. "There's an offensive lineman with his hands around his ankles five yards down from the line of scrimmage, an uncovered lineman. It's easy to pile on the secondary kids but we tried to escape that narrative."

MSU coach Dan Mullen pointed to the same problem in his press conference Tuesday. Southern Miss' offensive linemen broke beyond the line of scrimmage. It drew the Bulldogs' linebackers in and allowed for passing lanes across the middle. Lineman aren't eligible to move down field before a pass is completed.

"A lot of other times there are other things going on. Sometimes it's the linebacker's fault," Diaz said. "Sometimes, like four plays in that game, there's offensive linemen blocking the linebackers five yards down field in the spot where the pass was being completed."

Senior corner Taveze Calhoun is expected to play this week against LSU. Calhoun missed the season-opener last weekend with a slightly torn meniscus. Mullen said after the game and reiterated on Tuesday that Calhoun will play on Saturday.

"His experience, his demeanor, he's just one of those guys who is feisty and our football team kind of follows his lead," Diaz said. "One of those alpha dogs that gets everybody going. When he's not with us, he's a big miss."

LSU passed for 341 yards in last year's matchup in Baton Rouge. The Tigers averaged 9.2 yards per attempt.

"It's a new year. It's a new team," Diaz said. "It's a new lease on life and just to fine these guys a way to get better every week."

Contact Michael Bonner at mbonner@gannett.com. Follow @MikeBBonner on Twitter.