Les Miles highlights passing game following LSU scrimmage

The LSU Tigers took part in a scheduled intrasquad scrimmage during Saturday’s spring practice session, and afterward head coach Les Miles discussed his offense’s pass attack, which ranked last in the SEC in 2014.

Both quarterbacks that started for the Tigers a year ago — Anthony Jennings and Brandon Harris — were given extensive reps on Saturday. Miles indicated that Jennings was “8 or 9 for 14 (attempts)” passing the ball and that he threw for 200 yards on those “8 or 9” completions to go along with two touchdowns. Miles also noted Jennings threw two more touchdown passes later in the scrimmage when the Tigers were working through tight, red zone situations.

Harris reportedly threw 22 passes (Miles never indicated his completions, yardage or touchdowns), which, for who struggle with math, is eight more attempts than Jennings was given, which likely means nothing but is worth noting as Jennings is the team’s returning starter.

Nevertheless, despite giving Harris more passes Miles seems to think it is Jennings who has had the better spring to this point.

Les Miles on LSU's spring quarterback battle: "Anthony Jennings probably has performed better on more days."

— Cody Worsham (@CodyWorsham) March 28, 2015

Miles also discussed the other end of the passing game connection: the Tigers’ receivers.

Rising sophomore D.J. Chark, whose accelerated development as a player has already been noted this spring, shined brightest among the wideouts with three catches for 99 yards and two scores. Among the other wideouts who impressed Miles on Saturday were Jacory Washington (54 yards, 1 touchdown), Trey Quinn (35 yards and 2 touchdowns) and Travin Dural, who only caught one ball but in typical Dural fashion made that catch count for 25 yards.

Miles also noted the development of his offensive line, which he said has rotated through multiple positions throughout the spring. The head coach said he expects this will benefit the line’s depth and versatility come the fall.

“This was probably the best offensive scrimmage that we have had this spring,” Miles noted.

Watch a full video of Les Miles’ post-scrimmage media availability above, courtesy of the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Here are some other numbers from Saturday’s scrimmage in Baton Rouge:

Leonard Fournette: 100-plus yards rushing, 1 TD

Darrel Williams: 55 yards rushing

Deion Jones: 6 tackles, 2 sacks

Duke Riley: 7 tackles

Jamal Adams: 6 tackles, 1 sack

Sione Teuhema: 6 tackles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 TD

Ethan Levine

A former newspaper reporter who has roamed the southeastern United States for years covering football and eating way too many barbecue ribs, if there is such a thing.