Of the 67 plays called by LSU offensive coordinator Greg Studrawa on Friday against Arkansas, two truly went on to change the complexity of the game.
Both were plays that may not have happened at the beginning of the season.
With 1:12 remaining in the first half, junior quarterback Zach Mettenberger threw a pass that many initially believed would be beyond sophomore wide receiver Jarvis Landry’s reach.
That was before Landry swirled around, extended his right hand and snatched the ball before his backside landed in-bounds.
Some are calling it college football’s catch of the year.
“It was one of those things that we do at practice to mess around,” Landry said of his one-handed grab. “It was kind of high and behind me, so I just trusted my ability, and I went up and made the play.”
The second play came with roughly two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and the Tigers leading Arkansas 17-13.
Mettenberger threw a strike to sophomore receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who then sprinted 47 yards to put the Tigers in field goal range and burn precious seconds off the clock.
“I just got open, and when I looked ahead I saw there was no one up, so I just tried to get out of the tackle,” Beckham said. “I slipped my leg out and tried to stay in bounds to keep the clock moving.”
Both of these plays were critical to LSU’s victory the day after Thanksgiving, but they may not have looked the same earlier this season.
Many hoped Mettenberger’s presence and the emergence of a young receiving corps would bring efficiency to LSU’s passing game in 2012.
And then things began to fall apart.
Three-fifths of the original starting offensive line was eventually replaced. Both Beckham and Landry found themselves regularly dropping would-be completions.
Even Mettenberger came under fire, with some members of the Tigers’ fan base calling for redshirt freshman backup Stephen Rivers to get more playing time.
Right when it looked as though the passing game needed a boost, the top-ranked Crimson Tide marched into Tiger Stadium.
The receivers knew their quarterback had taken heat from both the media and the fan base, and they set out to silence the critics.
“We just decided that it’s not fun to be talked about and to hear that we’re not good,” Beckham said. “We decided that we had to turn it on and start making plays for the offense.”
Mettenberger responded with 298 yards and a touchdown through the air.
Since the Alabama contest, the passing attack has hardly resembled the unit that took the field earlier in the season.
“All the receivers are really starting to mature, and they’re really solidifying our identity as an offense,” Mettenberger said. “Guys are starting to understand that every route has a purpose.”
The Tigers passing offense came out firing in the next two games, as Mettenberger threw for 273 and 282 yards against Mississippi State and Ole Miss, respectively.
Mettenberger’s growth as a passer would be stalled without the growth of his young receiving corps.
“I’ve just been learning and progressing week in and week out,” Landry said. “I also learned how to be coached. [Receivers coach] Adam Henry came in and did a really great job with us. I think his contribution helped me individually and us as a receiving unit, and we’ve continued to progress and get better.”
With Mettenberger and most of the young receiving corps expected to return for the 2013 campaign, the expectations for the LSU passing attack will be astronomical at the beginning of next season.
“[This program has] an opportunity to continue to get better,” said senior offensive lineman Josh Dworaczyk. “This offense has continued to grow. Everybody has started to gel together because, even with the diversity we’ve faced, we’ve had a consistent set of starters for the most part. This offense has the ability to be great next year and into the future.”
LSU sophomore tight end Travis Dickson (41) celebrates with sophomore wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) after Landry's leaping touchdown grab in the first half of the Tiger's 20-13 win over Arkansas in Fayetteville on November 23, 2012.
