RUSSELL’S SUV STOLEN
LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell’s 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe was reported stolen Friday from his off-campus apartment.
The Associated Press reported that Russell filed a stolen vehicle report just before leaving Friday for Gainesville, Fla.
Baton Rouge Police told the AP on Saturday that the vehicle has yet to be recovered.
A BRPD supervisor declined comment and said information on the theft would be available today.
INJURIES
Senior defensive back Daniel Francis, freshman wide receiver Brandon LaFell and junior offesive lineman Will Arnold are all questionable for this weekend’s game against the University of Kentucky.
LSU coach Les Miles said Francis sustained a leg injury, and LaFell suffered a rib cage injury against the Gators.
Arnold sprained his ankle against Mississippi State on Sept. 30 and had his knee scoped Tuesday.
NO BLAME GAME
Quarterback JaMarcus Russell threw three interceptions and had a critical fumble near the Florida goal line in Saturday’s game, but Miles said not all the blame should go on the junior signal caller.
“The quarterback play, in a tough situation in my opinion, played in difficult surrroundings as well as could be expected,” Miles said. “Did he play well? No, nobody plays well when we lose.”
JUMP PASS WORKS
Florida true freshman quarterback Tim Tebow’s 1-yard jump touchdown pass to tight end Tate Casey resulted in a missed assignment, Miles said.
“The defender had [Casey] man-to-man,” Miles said. “And the throw was one that we would have loved to have the defender standing there with [Casey] to make a play on the ball…our defender released [Casey] when we had him man-to-man.”
WHO WAS THAT?
Miles was at a loss for words Sunday to describe the Tigers’ mistake-riddled performance against the Gators.
“It didn’t look like the team we have all grown accustomed to,” Miles said. “With each play the correction is obvious. We shot ourselves in the foot. We cost ourselves opportunities at victory.”
The second-year LSU coach said the Tigers must reach their potential to be successful the remainder of the season.
“We have to respond to what’s happened and enjoy the opportunity to improve and work hard at it and return to the team we’re capable of being,” Miles said.
NO HATING DOUCET
Wide receiver Early Doucet’s fumble on the second-half kick off did not cause his coach to hold a grudge.
“It’s simple – Early is a good player,” Miles said. “The very next kickoff return, he returned it to about the 36 yard line.”
DEFICIT KILLS BALANCED ATTACK
Miles said he was content with the Tigers’ balance on offense until they confronted the 23-7 deficit.
“When we hit that 16 point deficit, we still wanted to run the football to a point,” Miles said. “But there was a time where that clock was ticking, and we had to throw it. And [Florida] knew it.”
LSU finished the game with 41 pass attempts compared to 25 rushing attempts.
HALFTIME ADJUSTMENTS
Miles told CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson at halftime that fans should expect a different LSU team in the second half.
Miles maintained that attitude Sunday, saying morale in the locker room was positive.
“I think our offense looked forward to getting back on the field,” Miles said. “And I think the defense really wanted us to go out and get 7 [points] and be tied.”
—–Contact Kyle Whitfield at [email protected]