The battle rages on.
Junior quarterback Anthony Jennings and sophomore quarterback Brandon Harris head into the 2015 National L Club Spring Game much like they did in 2014 — as running mates.
After a disappointing 8-5 finish, in which the two quarterbacks combined to complete just more than 52 percent of their passes, much talk surrounds the Tigers’ inability to execute in the passing game.
The Tigers finished dead last in the Southeastern Conference last year in passing offense, averaging only 162.9 yards per game on 21.2 attempts. Thirteenth place Vanderbilt averaged about 17 yards more per game than the Tigers.
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.
“LSU is national,” Jennings said. “Having to be the quarterback, obviously I wasn’t good enough last year, just to put it simple. I have to get better. We have to get better as a room and have to get better playing the quarterback position, so I’m not surprised people talk about that. I just have to come in, keep talking to the coaches and getting better.”
Jennings, who started 12 of the Tigers’ 13 games last season, was the focus of much of the blame and criticism directed toward LSU. The negative tension against Jennings reached a boiling point after Jennings threw two picks in only five pass attempts in an eventual 63-7 victory against New Mexico State on Sept. 27, 2014.
After being benched in a 41-7 blowout loss to Auburn, Jennings took over for the remainder of the season, remaining sloppy and inconsistent in his play leading to doubt over the future fate of LSU’s quarterbacks.
“[Last year] is going to push me to do even more things,” Jennings said. “Everybody’s talking about it. It’s going to make me better, it’s going to make Brandon better and it’s going to make [freshman quarterback] Justin [McMillan] better. I’m just going to continue getting better and use it as fuel.”
The fuel has been burning since the Tigers’ season ended. Both Jennings and Harris are beaming with confidence and comfortability at spring practice, which could never be found a season ago.
LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron taught both Jennings and Harris a lesson on how to be a good quarterback. He taught them not only does a quarterback have to be talented, but intelligent, confident and a leader.
“[My relationship with offensive coordinator Cam Cameron] has grown a lot,” Harris said. “Now it’s more so. When I was a freshman I wouldn’t ask the same questions I’m asking now. I’m feeling comfortable. I understand why we run this for this reason.”
Teammates have noticed the increased confidence and intelligence of the quarterbacks.
LSU junior wide receiver Travin Dural said he has seen change in both Jennings and Harris already with only a few practices under their belt.
“They’ve grown a lot,” Dural said. “They’ve both grown as leaders. They’re throwing the ball real well, and they really know the playbook. As opposed to last year they weren’t really vocal. They didn’t really speak too much, but now they’re taking control of this offense.”
Both Jennings and Harris went back to the drawing board after the season completed, watching film and working out with the receivers to get on the same page and improve. Jennings set a goal for himself to up his completion percentage by at least 10 percent, with 60 percent as his ultimate goal for the upcoming season.
Jennings still has to win the job, however, and Harris has identified his own obstacles. Harris said the biggest factor holding him back was himself. Harris acknowledged he had difficulty learning the playbook and the nuances of the offense for much of last season while nursing a high ankle sprain.
The sophomore said he didn’t utilize his coaching staff enough in 2014. He wasn’t asking questions and handling himself in a professional demeanor.
“I wasn’t doing enough as an overall quarterback, and that’s one thing I want to do in 2015 is handle myself more like a professional,” Harris said. “If I have a question, don’t be afraid to ask it. If I mess up, admit the mistake and improve, and that’s one thing I’ve done going into this spring in these two practices.”
Both quarterbacks are working on improving themselves and their games in hopes of being named the starter in September. But as the battle rages on, they hope to improve each other as well.
“Everybody wants to talk about [the competition],” Jennings said. “Me and Brandon know where we both have to improve drastically from last season. We help each other in the film room and on the field. We want the best from each other and we’re going to keep pushing each other on and off the field.”
You can reach Jack Chascin on Twitter @Chascin_TDR.