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LSU DL Rashard Lawrence explains why Jalen Hurts is a challenging QB to face

Jake Rill

By Jake Rill

Published:

Rashard Lawrence has an idea of what to expect facing Oklahoma’s offense in the Peach Bowl. And that’s because the LSU senior defensive lineman has gone up against quarterback Jalen Hurts before.

While Hurts is now with the Sooners, he spent the first three seasons of his college career at Alabama. He played against LSU twice during that span, both games that he helped lead the Crimson Tide to victory.

Lawrence spoke with the media in Atlanta on Monday ahead of Saturday’s game, and he shared what makes Hurts a difficult matchup.

“I think the biggest thing is he can sit back there and throw it,” Lawrence told the media. “They’ve got a lot of different designed runs for him, but he’ll sit back there and throw it. It’s going to be tough with all the different things they can do. [Oklahoma head coach] Lincoln Riley, I knew about him before I even got into college football. He’s a good offensive coach, so he’ll have some things dialed up.

“Jalen, he can throw it, he can run it and he’s also the heart and soul of that team.”

Hurts played well during his career at Alabama, but he’s fared even better this year at Oklahoma. He was the Heisman Trophy runner-up to LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, as he’s passed for 3,634 yards and 32 touchdowns and rushed for 1,255 yards and 18 scores while leading the Sooners.

Lawrence will try to be a big part of LSU’s defensive effort to stop Hurts. He has 10 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble in nine games for the Tigers this season.

LSU and Oklahoma are set to kick off on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Jake Rill

Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.

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