LSU ultimately overcame a 17-0 deficit to beat South Carolina on Saturday, tying the second-largest road comeback in program history. A major reason the Tigers ultimately fell in that hole was a blocked punt in the first half in a 10-0 game that set the Gamecocks up

Shane Beamer exhausted his only option on Saturday night. South Carolina had just lost a heartbreaker to LSU — once up 17, the Gamecocks gave up the game-winning touchdown with just over a minute to play — and much of the game’s story centered on officiating.

A run game that was once an anticipated strength has become an unknown likely to define LSU’s season. But finding a solution requires specifying the root cause.