Throughout the past 10 years since LSU captured its last national title, the Tigers have been limited by inconsistent and subpar quarterback play. They have started seven quarterbacks, and only twice — with Jordan Jefferson in 2009 and Zach Mettenberger in 2013 — did one of those seven finish the season ranked in the top five of passing efficiency among Southeastern Conference quarterbacks.
So far this season, senior quarterback Danny Etling’s passing efficiency of 156.6 is third in the conference and fourteenth in the nation.
The Sign
By now most LSU fans have seen it, even Etling has seen it.
The words “Danny Etling Is A Good Quarterback,” written in black marker on a white posterboard.
The sign, held by Slidell native and self-described optimist Patrick Mullett, made its debut at a protest in New Orleans when the city’s leadership was in the process of removing monuments related to Confederate States of America.
“All these signs were either for this or for that,” Mullett said. “I told my buddy that I was going to make a sign that made total sense and no one can debate me on this.”
So Mullett, a lifelong LSU fan, made his sign and was spotted by television cameras at the protest. Pictures of the sign soon made its way around social media and LSU message boards.
Eventually, Mullett took the sign to an LSU game, where Etling spotted it during the Tiger Walk down Victory Hill prior to the Tigers’ game against Troy. Etling introduced himself to Mullett and expressed his gratitude for the support.
“I thought it was a funny sign just to randomly see,” Etling said. “I was like ‘Was it that much of an in-question decision that we needed to make signs about it.’”
Even members of Etling’s family were intrigued by the sign and found Mullett, who also wears a unique Danny Etling jersey, in the crowd.
“[Etling’s family] kind of caught me off guard,” Mullett said. “They asked me why I was holding up the sign, and I said, ‘Because I think he is a good quarterback.’ Then they said that they were his family, and that was pretty cool.”
The Quarterback
“[The sign] reaffirmed everything for me for sure,” Etling said jokingly. “If anything was in question, I saw the sign and knew that, that was the case.”
Although Etling may not have set the world on fire with his play this season, he has been more than capable. The fifth-year senior has thrown for 1,452 yards and nine touchdowns while completing 60 percent (93-of-155) of his passes. His 15.6 yards per completion ranks fifth in the nation, and he tied for first with the least amount of interceptions thrown with a minimum of 150 passing attempts.
Etling’s ability to be able to hit the long ball while not throwing interceptions has been crucial for the Tigers this season.
Against Alabama last season, Etling failed to do either, completing just 11 passes for a measly 92 yards and an interception.
“Danny has to be very, very patient,” said LSU coach Ed Orgeron. “He has to make the right throws, the right decisions in a big game. This is his test. He knows it. But we got to protect him. I mean, now, there were some throws last year wide open, he didn’t make them. He realized that. There were sometimes we didn’t block very well for him.”
The Game
Since defeating LSU in the 2012 BCS National Championship, Alabama has a combined record of 72 wins and seven losses.
In the seven losses, opposing quarterbacks have averaged 279 passing yards, 2.5 touchdowns and a total of two interceptions on 22-35 passing. They also found success with their legs rushing for 48 yards on 14 carries per game.
In the five games against LSU since, the Tigers’ quarterback has averaged 167 passing yards and less than one touchdown on 13-25 passing, along with negative 1.2 rushing yards per game. If Mettenberger’s two starts against Alabama are taken out, the average passing yards per game falls below 100, and the quarterbacks are throwing more interceptions than touchdowns.
For Etling to turn the Tigers’ fortunes around against Alabama, consistent offensive success must start up front, with the Tiger offensive line protecting him.
“If you can’t protect,” Orgeron said, “you don’t have a chance.”
In order from left to right: Gretchen Etling, Patrick Mullett, Mary Kate Etling, Joe Etling.
