LSU senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger has had an electric start to the 2013 campaign under new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, passing for 797 yards and nine touchdowns against TCU, UAB and Kent State.
His two primary receivers, juniors Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, have established themselves as the Tigers’ reliable options, combining for 32 receptions, 576 yards and all nine of Mettenberger’s touchdown passes.
But of all the statistics compiled by the Tigers’ offense throughout the first three weeks of the season, one standout number is 71 percent.
Seventy-one percent of Mettenberger’s completions have gone to either of his primary junior receivers, targeting both Beckham and Landry nearly 59 percent of the time.
With Southeastern Conference play arriving in Baton Rouge when the Tigers battle Auburn on Saturday, LSU may have to rely on another option to stay efficient on offense.
“It’s really important [to establish a third receiver],” said redshirt freshman wide receiver Travin Dural. “People are going to start trying to take [Beckham and Landry] away eventually, and it may
happen in the first game of SEC play, so it’s very important that our third receiver is ready to step up and make a play.”
The Auburn defense has allowed 433.7 yards per game thus far in 2013, but many LSU fans will recall an ugly 12-10 victory in
Jordan-Hare Stadium last season. A third receiving option could prove valuable in ensuring a repeat performance doesn’t occur.
Dural, senior Kadron Boone and junior Quantavius Leslie are the only other Tiger wide receivers to catch passes in 2013, combining for five catches for 81 yards.
The trio impressed the coaching staff early during fall camp, yet they remain mere ghosts on a field overshadowed by the likes of Beckham and Landry.
“It’s not that we’re trying to find a third option,” Mettenberger said. “Our one and two guys are
doing so well right now, and we have a lot of guys who are kind of waiting for their opportunity. When Jarvis and Odell get shut down in a game, there are going to be plenty of guys who will get the opportunity to get the ball.”
If the opportunity were to arise Saturday, though, Boone and Dural said they are both ready to make an immediate impact.
Boone is the veteran of the relatively young receiving corps, catching 38 balls for 495 yards and six touchdowns since 2010. Last season, he had 26 receptions for 348 yards and four touchdowns, averaging more than 13 yards per catch.
The senior knows he could be called upon in Tiger Stadium this weekend.
“One thing I learned about being at LSU is you have so much talent here,” Boone said. “You just have to bring it when your number is called. It’s all about keeping a positive attitude, and when your number is finally called on, you need to step up and make a play.”
Dural, who has acted as the No. 3 option during the Tigers’ first three games, is looking to separate himself from the pack and become a burner down the sidelines.
The Breaux Bridge, La., product said he knows there is talent sprinkled throughout the LSU receiving corps, and it’s all about being efficient when he gets his chance.
“Everybody is competing trying to get that [No. 3 receiver] spot,” Dural said. “It’s about being in the right place, running the right routes or blocking the right guy. It’s about giving the coaches that confidence to put us in certain situations.”
“It’s about being in the right place, running the right routes or blocking the right guy. It’s about giving the coaches that confidence to put us in certain situations.”