Mississippi State's defensive coordinator, Diaz on MSU's 'D'

Manny Diaz, Mississippi State's defensive coordinator, said,"We have a funny knack this year defensively so far, we really respond when our backs are against the wall. However, when we have a little prosperity, we're not taking advantage of it." Diaz pointed specifically at the defense holding LSU's offense to four field goals in the first half Saturday. Even so, there was the second half, when State cut the lead to 12-7 and LSU responded with a 60-yard touchdown drive. Diaz called it one of MSU's worst defensive series of the season."As a coach, you admire our fortitude when we're put in tough situations but you'd like for us to respond when we have a little bit of an advantage," he said.
"We're getting closer," said Diaz, whose unit is sixth in scoring defense in the SEC. "We're getting better."