LSU fans shouldn’t have a difficult time remembering the two-quarterback system used during the 13-0 regular season run in 2011.
It was a heavily criticized offensive attack, finally concluding with a controversial BCS National Championship that saw senior Jordan Jefferson struggle to move the ball past the 50-yard line while senior passer Jarrett Lee watched from the sidelines as the Tigers fell to Alabama.
According to new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, fans won’t see a similar system when senior signal caller Zach Mettenberger and freshman backup Anthony Jennings take the field for the first time Aug. 31 against TCU.
He wants his quarterback to know he’s running the show.
“You want a quarterback to feel like he’s really in control of the offense,” Cameron said. “That’s how they grab a hold of it and really do their best.”
The Tigers aren’t expected to run a dual-quarterback system in 2013, but if Cameron’s history says anything, it’s that Jennings won’t find a permanent home on the bench.
Over the course of his almost five seasons as the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive coordinator, Cameron had two backup quarterback options with body types
similar to Jennings’.
Ohio State Heisman Trophy-winner Troy Smith and Virginia Tech standout Tyrod Taylor were both the No. 2 option at one point behind reigning Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco in Baltimore, and both found time on the field in Cameron’s system.
In 2008, Cameron’s first season with the Ravens, Smith logged eight snaps in close-game scenarios with the majority of his plays coming in the first or second quarter.
Taylor was also called upon during Cameron’s time, including two separate instances against Cleveland, taking one snap on first down and eight inside the red zone.
In total, 70 percent of packages involving either Taylor or Smith resulted in a quarterback run, largely used to change the pace of the offense and to keep defenders guessing.
The idea of a dual-threat quarterback forced opposing teams to defend against a number of threats, and 80 percent of the packages featuring Taylor or Smith resulted in a positive gain, including a passing touchdown.
So the moral of the story remains: LSU’s new offensive coordinator doesn’t touch a two-quarterback system, but he certainly likes to give an athletic backup option the opportunity to make an impact with the first team.
Cameron has already made his share of references to his time with the Ravens, even comparing Mettenberger’s throwing ability to that of Flacco.
That being said, he has yet to reveal how he intends to use the mobile Jennings — if he intends to use him at all.
“Strategically, if we were going to [use Jennings], I wouldn’t talk about it anyway,” Cameron said.
He also said he intends to run a spread offense in 2013, especially utilizing the roles of the fullback and the running game as a whole.
Whether it’s Mettenberger or Jennings under center, Cameron’s play-calling will be directly related to each passer’s skill set.
“Right now, we’re trying to teach [Jennings] the system in case something were to happen and he were to have to play,” he said. “We will tailor what we call for what [each quarterback does] best.”
Regardless of if or when Jennings is called upon, the freshman will be ready to jump in for Mettenberger.
“I don’t come to college just to sit on the bench,” Jennings said. “I was prepared to play in any game that I needed to, and I’ll be prepared to play this season.”

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graphic by Andrew Hebert

Cam Cameron's play calling