As recently as 10 days ago, “elusive” was a term only applicable to LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger’s ongoing legacy at LSU.
Whether it was his much-hyped “Mett-siah” status, a brilliant 2012 Alabama game or a maddening finish to the season after a strong November push, Mettenberger’s been tough to pin down for critics and fans alike.
Defensive rushers are having trouble pinning down a more nimble Mettenberger who has been seen in his first two games of the season extending plays and airing it out — on Saturday to the tune of 282 yards and a school-record five touchdowns against UAB.
The Blazers couldn’t sack him and TCU only got to him on two corner blitzes. The lanky Mettenberger has even shrugged off his reputation as an immobile figure by earning a first down with his legs in each of the first two games.
“A lot of times last year we got sacks that weren’t any fault of the offensive line; it was my fault,” Mettenberger said. “That’s something [offensive coordinator] coach [Cam] Cameron and I have been working on since he first got the job — setting a good end point in the pocket and being able to feel pressure. So far, so good.”
No one is suggesting the senior is the next Michael Vick. But with Cameron’s increasing insistence on a vertical passing game, Mettenberger’s newfound ability to subtly evade the pass rush has already helped LSU pile up nine completions of 20 yards or more.
Few on LSU’s roster know more about eluding defenders than Odell Beckham Jr., who caught three of Mettenberger’s touchdown tosses and already has three kick returns of 50 yards or more this season. Even the speedy junior wideout has noticed his quarterback’s new moves.
“It’s crazy. I never expected Zach to be scrambling around like that, but he’s moving around and looking to make plays that he might have taken sacks on last year,” Beckham said. “It allows you to be more patient in your route.”
It’s all been part of an undeniable change in Mettenberger’s pocket presence, with fewer throws coming off his back foot while recording the highest completion percentage of his career with a 16-for-19 effort.
“If you watch Zach throw a football, he’s throwing a football with so much confidence,” said LSU coach Les Miles. “He knows where it’s supposed to go. I would have to say there are two throws he’d like to have back. … Other than that, he took the ball where it was intended to go and threw pretty well.”
Mettenberger’s five touchdowns put him in rarified air, cementing his legacy in a small way, no matter how his senior season pans out. First overall NFL draft pick JaMarcus Russell never even threw four touchdowns in a game at LSU, let alone a handful.
In his typical nonchalant demeanor, Mettenberger said realizations like how his name may someday fit in the Tiger record books are “pretty cool” before admitting he thought the LSU record was “seven or something crazy like that.”
“Rohan [Davey] was here today, and I know he had some big games and so did JaMarcus, Matt Flynn, Bert Jones, even coach [Steve] Ensminger,” Mettenberger said in a deadpanned voice. “I’ll be giving coach Ensminger a lot of hell this week. It’s definitely something special. Go me, I guess.”
His sarcastic self-cheerleading aside, Mettenberger remained adamant that nothing in his game has changed, deflecting credit to his offensive line and recieving corps.
“I don’t know what exactly you guys are seeing, but it’s just everyone maturing in good ways. I feel the same as ever,” Mettenberger said, before mixing more sarcasm with more modesty. “I think Odell stole the show, the spotlight [Saturday]. I don’t even know why you guys are talking to me.”
But with Mettenberger throwing for 215 yards or more in six of his last seven games (five of them above the 250-yard mark) and etching his place in the LSU record books Saturday, there’ll be no evading the spotlight this fall.