LSU still has questions at quarterback after being shut down by Auburn’s defense in a 41-7 loss Saturday night. The Tigers amassed only 280 yards of total offense and failed to convert a single third down.
“I told a guy in the locker room, ‘Tell me this is a nightmare because it was terrible’.” said freshman starting quarterback Brandon Harris.
The LSU offense is still looking for a leader after Harris completed just three of his 14 passes for 58 yards and rushed for 36 yards on eight carries in his much-anticipated first start.
Harris had no interceptions in the game but had trouble finding his targets all night. The majority of his 58 passing yards were on a 52-yard pass to fellow true freshman reciever Malachi Dupre that set up the lone LSU score.
“I flat out came out and played terrible,” Harris said. “I can’t even put a grade on it because it’s that below.”
Despite Harris’ frustration with his performance, he defended the play calling of offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.
“Cam did a great job of game planning for this game,” Harris said. “He gave me safe throws, just easy completions you can hit with your eyes closed, and I just missed them.”
Harris claimed his lack of concentration was not a product of Auburn’s hostile environment.
“I didn’t feel nervous at all,” Harris said. “The crowd didn’t get to me or anything like that, I just didn’t hit the throws.”
Harris exited the game late in the third quarter with a self-diagnosed bruised ankle from a play at the end of the first half.
Sophomore quarterback Anthony Jennings entered the game with 5:28 left in the third quarter and failed to do much better than Harris. He completed just five of his 10 passes for 84 yards and rushed for seven yards on two carries.
Jennings was not available for interviews after the game, but junior offensive guard Vadal Alexander showed confidence in the ability of Jennings and the quarterback staff as a whole.
“Anthony came out and played well,” Alexander said. “We know that both of our quarterbacks have the ability to play well, so we just have some things we need to improve on as the weeks go on.”
Miles and his coaching staff said they are aware there is a need to look hard at the situation between the two young quarterbacks, and Miles has yet to name a starter for this Saturday’s game at Florida.
“Our guys in that room want to work hard, and they’re looking to improve,” Miles said. “They want answers, just like everyone does. The film will be the answer. [The coaching staff] will make adjustments and get better.”