LSU’s quarterback conundrum will carry over into fall camp.
Ed Orgeron is still searching for the right fit for the Tigers’ new look offense.
“If we had to name a starter tonight, there’s not a clear-cut winner,” Orgeron said in a post-game press conference.
Senior quarterback Danny Etling, who started 10 games last season, took the field with LSU’s first-team offense in the Tigers’ lightning-shortened spring game.
Etling started the game 4-of-5 for 53 yards, including a 35-yard third down completion to senior wide receiver D.J. Chark.
However, Etling’s fast start ended with him not completing a pass in his last seven attempts.
“[Danny] didn’t play good,” Orgeron said. “He didn’t have a good night. I mean, he’s had some good days, but today wasn’t one of his better nights.”
After Etling got his opportunity, redshirt sophomore quarterback Justin McMillan took over for the second team.
“Most of the spring, Danny has been there,” Orgeron said. “Nobody has took him over. You’ll hear it again, tonight underneath the pressure, they didn’t perform the way we wanted to. So they’re going to have to show me who performs under pressure to get ready to be the LSU quarterback.”
McMillan showed athleticism within the pocket but not much in the passing game. He had one completion for 10 yards on three attempts.
“I don’t know if any of the quarterbacks played the way we wanted them to play,” Orgeron said. “That’s why we’re going to keep it open, and that’s why we wanted these guys underneath the fire and compete.”
Redshirt freshman quarterback Lindsey Scott played one series before the game was moved to the LSU indoor practice facility.
Scott had one run for one yard.
Away from the rain and lightning, early enrollee Lowell Narcisse took reign of the offense.
Narcisse displayed his arm talent, firing a strike to sophomore wide receiver Stephen Sullivan over the middle.
“[Lowell] is an excellent talent,” Orgeron said. “I think the learning of the offense and the timing of the receivers, he definitely has one of the strongest arms we have and definitely one of the better athletes.”
LSU’s quarterback competition will eventually shake itself out, but until then, Orgeron knows what he is searching for.
“I’d like the quarterback to be a dominant football player — I’d like the quarterback to be able to takeover the game,” Orgeron said. “I don’t know if we have that quarterback yet. So if we don’t have that quarterback, we’re going to have to have a quarterback that can manage the game, get the ball to the receivers, protection, short throws first and not make mistakes.”

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Chunfeng Lu

LSU senior quarterback Danny Etling (16) hands off the ball to junior running back Derrius Guice in the National L Club Spring football game on Saturday, April 22, 2017.