LSU senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger enters the 2013 season with a full year of experience under his belt, a veteran group of receivers and a new offensive coordinator who contributed to the development of two Super Bowl MVP quarterbacks.
The ball is officially in his court.
“[Mettenberger] should have a great year. There are not many things that should hold him back,” said sophomore quarterback Stephen Rivers.
Mettenberger completed almost 59 percent of his passes for 2,609 yards with 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions in his first season at the helm.
While these numbers are not particularly impressive from a quarterback who was hailed as “The Mettsiah” prior to last season, expectations of him have not wavered. He was named to the preseason Maxwell Award watch list for the nation’s best college football player.
The stakes in 2013 are even higher, as it will likely be his last chance to prove he is an NFL-caliber quarterback.
It’s unclear how Mettenberger will respond to the pressure, but if his teammates and coaches are to be believed, he has done a lot of growing up in the offseason.
“Zach has matured as a quarterback,” said junior wide receiver Jarvis Landry. “He has definitely raised his level through fall camp. Zach is completing a lot more passes. Zach’s anticipation and his timing have improved. Everything that we need him to do, he is doing.”
Mettenberger also feels he has improved under the direction of new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and his NFL-style approach.
The offense may be under new leadership, but Mettenberger said the Tigers’ basic philosophy remains unchanged.
“We’ve got a few wrinkles, stuff Cam Cameron’s brought from the NFL, but at the same time, we’re doing a lot of the stuff we’ve always done,” Mettenberger said. “That’s hard running and building passes off of that.”
Behind Mettenberger is a battle of styles for the backup spot featuring 6-foot-8-inch pocket passer sophomore Stephen Rivers and freshman Anthony Jennings, who may prove to be LSU’s first legitimate dual-threat quarterback since Ryan Perriloux was dismissed from the program in 2008.
Jennings has turned heads since arriving on campus in January, impressing coaches and teammates with his ability to both throw and run the football.
“I just wanted to come in and work hard,” Jennings said. “Working hard gets you to great places. That’s how I got here. I’m just trying to give the best that I can daily.”
He was 8-for-21 for 98 yards and ran for 26 yards against the Tigers’ first team defense in April’s spring game.
Coach Les Miles said as of right now, Jennings has a “leg up” on Rivers for the No. 2 spot, but they are still competing.
Rivers said he embraces the competition.
“That’s a good problem for LSU to have: two good quarterbacks battling it out to back up the starter,” Rivers said. “I’m looking forward to it.”
LSU senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger enters the 2013 season with a full year of experience under his belt, a veteran group of receivers and a new offensive coordinator who contributed in the development of two Super Bowl MVP quarterbacks.
The ball is officially in his court.
“[Mettenberger] should have a great year. There are not many things that should hold him back,” said sophomore quarterback Stephen Rivers.
Mettenberger completed almost 59 percent of his passes for 2,609 yards with 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions in his first season at the helm.
While these numbers are not particularly impressive from a quarterback who was hailed as “The Mett-siah” prior to the season, expectations of him have not wavered. He was named to the preseason Maxwell Award watch list for the nation’s best college football player.
The stakes in 2013 are even higher, as it will likely be his last chance to prove he is an NFL-caliber quarterback.
It is yet to be seen how Mettenberger will respond to having so much on his plate, but if his teammates and coaches are to be believed, he has done a lot of growing up in the offseason.
“Zach has matured as a quarterback,” said junior wide receiver Jarvis Landry. “He has definitely raised his level through fall camp. Zach is completing a lot more passes. Zach’s anticipation and his timing have improved. Everything that we need him to do, he is doing.”
Mettenberger also feels he has improved under the direction of new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and his NFL-style approach.
The offense may be under new leadership, but Mettenberger said the Tigers’ basic philosophy remains unchanged.
“We’ve got a few wrinkles, stuff Cam Cameron’s brought from the NFL, but at the same time, we’re doing a lot of the stuff we’ve always done,” Mettenberger said. “That’s hard running and building passes off of that.”
Behind Mettenberger is a battle of styles for the backup spot featuring 6-foot-8 pocket passer sophomore Stephen Rivers and freshman Anthony Jennings, who may prove to be LSU’s first legitimate dual-threat quarterback since Ryan Perriloux was dismissed from the program in 2008.
Jennings has turned heads since arriving on campus in January, impressing coaches and teammates with his ability to both throw and run the football.
“I just wanted to come in and work hard,” Jennings said. “Working hard gets you to great places. That’s how I got here. I’m just trying to give the best that I can daily.”
He was 8-for-21 for 98 yards and ran for 26 yards against the Tigers’ first team defense in April’s spring game.
LSU coach Les Miles said as of right now, Jennings has a “leg-up” on Rivers for the No. 2 spot, but they are still competing.
Rivers said he embraces the competition.
“That’s a good problem for LSU to have: two good quarterbacks battling it out to back up the starter,” Rivers said. “I’m looking forward to it.”