On Saturday, all eyes will be on the new-look offense that has been initiated by LSU’s offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
Senior quarterback Danny Etling said the offense has come a long way in learning the new system since the beginning of spring.
“We’ve done a good job of installing everything,” Etling said. “We’ve wanted to install up to this point and I think we’re ahead of where we thought we would be. We’ve put in a lot of things that are exciting. Just adding things here and there to make it more fun and more difficult for the defense to stop.”
The fifth-year senior said he has never played a spring game at night, but is looking forward to the experience.
“Just go out there and try to have some fun, play with your teammates some and enjoy the atmosphere of having people there watching you,” Etling said. “Kind of a culmination of all the work you put in the spring. I think it’ll be fun being at night and having the whole day leading up to it. A little more anticipation and fun, so we’ll see.”
Etling finished the 2016 season with 2,123 passing yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Etling’s most experienced target, senior receiver D.J. Chark, has also seen good signs under the new offense.
“This offense is very unique,” Chark said. “It moves a lot, there’s a lot of shifting that defenses will have to read. I feel like developing a game plan against is going to be very hard.”
Chark is one of only two senior receivers returning for LSU, but says he has seen the receiving core develop firsthand. He finished the 2016 season with 466 yards on 26 receptions with three touchdowns.
“Everyone is given their opportunity,” Chark said. “They’re making the most of it. They’re being positive. Russell Gage is making plays, Derrick Dillon has stepped up, Drake Davis and those guys are learning this offense and embracing it as theirs. When they finally get their shot, they’ll be in an offense that they are comfortable in.”
A new play has been introduced to LSU’s receivers, the “jet sweep.” Something that sophomore receiver Derrick Dillon is looking forward to executing.
“It’s real exciting and different,” Dillon said. “We work on the timing of it every day. Russell, DJ, and I are really the main guys running it right now.”
The spring game will kickoff at 7 p.m. in Tiger Stadium and will be broadcast on SEC Network.
LSU offensive coordinator Matt Canada directs offensive players during the spring football practice on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at the Charles McClendon LSU football practice facility.
