The LSU football team completed its final spring practice before the highly anticipated National L-Club Spring Game kicks off at 1 p.m. tomorrow in Tiger Stadium.
The spring game will be a first look at the 2015 version of the LSU offense — one that finished in the bottom half of the Southeastern Conference in total offense and last in passing offense in 2014.
After loads of scrutiny fell upon the Tigers’ abysmal offensive performance during their 8-5 campaign, LSU will get its chance to showcase its progress in Tiger Stadium for the first time in 2015.
Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said he has noticed vast improvement in the offensive unit as a whole since the beginning of spring practice in March.
“We’ve improved offensively,” Cameron said. “I haven’t been around many quarterbacks at any level who can stand alone and perform at a high level, and they have improved. Our receivers have improved, we’re always going to be solid up front, but our offensive line has had a tremendous spring. Our tight ends are as improved as any group we’ve got.”
While the unit may be improving, all eyes will be on the progression of junior quarterback Anthony Jennings and sophomore quarterback Brandon Harris.
The Tigers averaged only 162.9 passing yards per game on 21.2 attempts, worse than bottom feeder Vanderbilt by more than 17 yards per game.
The question marks surrounding LSU’s quarterback play cast a dark cloud over a prominent program and put immense pressure on Jennings and Harris to improve upon their mistakes.
Cameron said he’ll have his eyes on the two quarterbacks’ abilities to lead their respective squads come Saturday’s game.
“It’s a leadership position,” Cameron said. “Just lead your group. Get your group in the end zone. One thing we’ve done is we’ve just charted guys’ ability to get their unit in the end zone. That’s the bottom line. Take care of the football. Get your team in the end zone. I want to see which group can get their team into the end zone.
“Obviously completion percentage is something we’re looking for, staying away from the negative play. Just consistency — if you’re consistent then you’re going to play well. Consistency is probably going to be the most important thing in the spring game.”
Preparing for the Spring Game
When the Tigers take the field on Saturday it’ll be their first chance to showcase many LSU fans in attendance what the 2015 team is about for the first time at Tiger Stadium.
There’s only one chance at a first impression, and many LSU players will take the field in hopes of making a lasting impression on the fans and coaching staff as they vie for a potential starting role once the 2015 season kicks off in September.
Jennings said the spring game is never taken lightly and is one of the more important dates of the preseason.
“It’s not just one more day,” Jennings said. “You want to come out here and execute the offense. Get the pall into our playmakers hands. You don’t want to turn the ball over.”
Harris, Jennings’ running mate, will be hoping to gain an edge in the current quarterback battle after squandering an opportunity a season ago.
Harris said he’s eager to show his and the offense’s improvements.
“It’s not even close anymore [how much I’ve developed],” Harris said. “For everybody who has an opinion about trying to see how much I’ve improved they just need to come to the spring game Saturday and they’ll see.”
While many eyes will be on Jennings and Harris come tomorrow’s game, fans will be interested to see the performance of sophomore running back Leonard Fournette.
Fournette will be playing in his first ever spring game after running for 1,049 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2014. Fournette, who is expected to be a potential Heisman candidate during the 2015 season, said he looks forward to making improvements in front of the fans.
“[I’m looking forward to] just competing and getting better,” Fournette said. “Like coach Cam says, let your personality shine and show off the world what we have.”
You can reach Jack Chascin on Twitter @Chascin_TDR.