LSU QBs, WRs shred second-team defense in spring game
LSU entered the game hoping to identify a pulse at quarterback, either from Brandon Harris or Anthony Jennings.
What it found instead was an offensive explosion.
The White team, comprised of the starting offense, rained deep balls upon the Purple team in a 45-6 victory.
“Really like the way both guys ran the team,” coach Les Miles said after the game. “We can expect to have real quality quarterback play. Both guys will compete.”
Jennings (13-of-20, 242 yards, 2 TDs) and Harris (11-of-17, 178 yards, 2 TDs) both hit some exceptional passes downfield, including this highlight diving touchdown by Malachi Dupre.
LSU’s top three receivers — Dupre, Travin Dural and D.J. Chark — averaged a remarkable 29.3 yards per catch Saturday, torching the second-team defensive backs with regularity. Four of their 10 catches went for touchdowns.
Harris, whom many believe possesses a higher ceiling, completed 7 of 7 passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns running the first-team offense in the first half. He also ran for a touchdown on a play that was deleted from the stat book as LSU essentially re-ran it.
Five-star early enrollee Kevin Toliver, trying to supplant sophomore Ed Paris for a starting cornerback job, intercepted Harris at the end of the third quarter.
https://twitter.com/TigerDroppings/status/589516805573599232
With the exception of a few missed deep balls and that interception, both quarterbacks performed well. Harris and Jennings should continue to compete throughout the summer and fall, and Miles may not name a starter until days before the Sept. 5 opener against McNeese State.
Miles on QBs: "I think both guys distinguished themselves today as capable." #LSU
— Lawrence Barreca (@LawrenceBarreca) April 18, 2015
Miles: "Who's the best QB? I'm going to defer and let the competition play out." #LSU
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) April 18, 2015
#LSU coach Les Miles: Harris has great arm, makes throws . Consistency is his issue.
— JimKleinpeter (@JimKleinpeter) April 18, 2015
Miles: "I kind of thought that (Harris') composure was good today." #LSU
— Lawrence Barreca (@LawrenceBarreca) April 18, 2015
Miles: "I certainly would like to have that guy that I could turn to to get the majority of snaps." #LSU
— Lawrence Barreca (@LawrenceBarreca) April 18, 2015
Miles had a pit in his stomach after last spring game but feels better about QBs now. Still "not completely satisfied with either," #LSU
— Scott Rabalais (@RabalaisAdv) April 18, 2015
Miles: we've made big strides at the QB position. Period. #LSU
— Scott Rabalais (@RabalaisAdv) April 18, 2015
Overall, the day was encouraging for LSU. Not only did the quarterbacks play well, but Maquedius Bain (3 sacks), Tashawn Bower (1 sack) and Davon Godchaux (1 sack) established a consistent pass rush working against the second-team offensive line.
For good measure, Leonard Fournette and Darrel Williams combined for 18 carries and 82 rushing yards.
#LSU coach Les Miles: Leonard Fournette has had a really good spring. Darrel Williams is really good. We will be elite again at RB.
— JimKleinpeter (@JimKleinpeter) April 18, 2015