In the past three seasons, LSU and Florida’s football programs have been virtual mirror images.
Both programs have hired new coaches, both have more than 25 wins and now, both have similar signal callers they are building their programs’ future around.
LSU sophomore quarterback Ryan Perrilloux and Florida sophomore quarterback Tim Tebow were both consensus five-star prospects coming from Louisiana and Florida, respectively.
Each player accumulated two 1,000-yard rushing seasons during their high school careers, while also passing for more than 3,000 yards.
Perrilloux and Tebow also committed to universities other than LSU during their recruitment, despite listing the Tigers as one of their finalists.
Perrilloux committed to Texas early in his recruitment process before switching to LSU on signing day in 2005.
Tebow chose Florida instead of Alabama, LSU and USC to highlight Florida coach Urban Meyer’s first full recruiting class as a Gator.
Although the two are now conference rivals, the similarities in the players’ styles remain apparent.
Tebow split time this past season with senior quarterback Chris Leak, with Tebow being used primarily as a runner.
LSU has used the same dual-quarterback system this season with Perrilloux acting as a primary rusher for senior starter Matt Flynn.
Flynn has done his part so far this season, passing for nearly 700 yards along with three touchdowns. But an ankle injury has limited his mobility, causing LSU coach Les Miles to turn to Perrilloux more than many expected him to before the season.
“I don’t necessarily know that we studied the way [Florida] did it,” Miles said. “It’s always been a thought of mine to incorporate [all] of the talents of your team.”
Miles said Tebow has developed into a competent quarterback in his second season.
“Certainly [Meyer] did that, bringing on a quarterback and not giving him many opportunities to throw the football much. Now after a year of not throwing but just being in the game and getting comfortable, [Tebow] is the starter and is very comfortable throwing the ball.”
Through five games in 2006, Tebow was eight-of-12 for 116 yards. He also carried the ball 32 times for 193 yards and two touchdowns.
This season, Perrilloux has posted similar numbers in his four games as a reserve – eight-of-12 for 105 yards and has rushed 17 times for 106 yards and one score.
In Perrilloux’s first career start against Middle Tennessee, he went 20-of-25 and threw three touchdown passes.
Meyer said one concern with switching quarterbacks is a difference in snap counts between the two players, causing confusion among the offensive line.
“Last season we had an issue because we had to work through Tim Tebow and Chris Leak, who had different cadences under center, so [pre-snap penalties] are a major concern,” Meyer said. “Last season we had a number of motion penalties.”
The Tigers have faced similar problems this season, being called for two substitution penalties against Tulane along with several pre-snap penalties.
Miles did not say if the penalties were a result of the two-quarterback system, but he did say it is necessary for his team to have two quarterbacks involved in the team’s game plan.
“I like the idea that our backup quarterback will be ready to go into the game if we need him,” he said.
In his first season as a full-time starter, Tebow has wowed opponents, completing 70 percent of his passes for 11 touchdowns while also rushing for 433 yards and eight touchdowns – something LSU can emulate next season when Perrilloux takes over.
Five games into the season, LSU is the No. 1 team in the nation. Even though Miles does not want to get too excited about his team’s position in the polls right now, he hopes the Tigers will have the same fate Meyer had this past season when the Gators won the 2006 Bowl Championship Series title.
“The outcome of how we play is always more significant than the challenge,” Miles said. “If we continue to play well and handle our business and focus on ourselves and improve, we’ll be a very good football team.”
The Gators enter Saturday’s game following a 20-17 loss against Auburn. Tebow said he will try his best to rally his team together in what will be his first start following a loss.
“The motivation’s going to be there,” Tebow told the Florida Today. “And we’re going to play hard down there.”
—Contact Casey Gisclair at [email protected]