LSU losing two players to disqualification is not what coach Ed Orgeron and defensive coordinator Dave Aranda hoped for.

It’s hard enough playing on the road in the SEC with a bunch of Cowbells ringing and Heisman candidate quarterback Nick Fitzgerald on the other team. Now, the Tigers will have to finish the game with a depleted defense.

Tigers Donnie Alexander and Neil Farrell were called for targeting in a span of seven minutes and consequently, ejected from the game. On top of missing most of the second half, both will miss the first half next week when the LSU takes on Syracuse. Aranda has to trust that his depth can hold up against Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen’s crafty offense.

Alexander had 45 tackles and an interception in 2016. He’s already accumulated eight tackles in 2017. Farrell is a talented freshman with lots of promise.