LSU rounded out preseason camp with its third and final full scrimmage on Saturday, in preparation for the season opener against BYU in Houston.
Each team went 70 plays apiece, including goal line, red zone, two-minute and red zone. They also covered special teams situations, including live punts and kicks.
“Tuesday we’ll start game planning for BYU,” LSU coach Ed Orgeron said. “We’ve focused on us and getting better. I wish we could’ve practiced a little more in the heat this preseason camp. Hopefully this week it’s hot and we can practice in the heat all week and we can get more accustomed to it. It’s just the way the factors were.”
Backup quarterbacks getting snaps
Orgeron continues to assert that he has not named a starting quarterback yet, but senior Danny Etling continues to take first team reps, while freshman Myles Brennan and Lowell Narcisse take second team reps.
“I believe that’s going to happen next week,” Orgeron said. “We have to talk to our staff and have a big discussion about it tomorrow. But as far as Myles and Lowell, they’re going to be great quarterbacks of the future.”
Under offensive coordinator Matt Canada LSU’s offensive play calling can be changed for each quarterback.
“If we had Lowell in there, we run quarterback runs,” Orgeron said. “When we have Myles in there, he drops back and throws the ball. They’re completely different quarterbacks and they do different things.”
Greg Gilmore and Ed Alexander rotating at nose tackle
Orgeron is hoping to rotate senior Greg Gilmore and sophomore Ed Alexander at nose tackle Because of the rotation, he believes that the starter does not matter and reps will be shared throughout the season.
Gilmore and Alexander are the only two eligible nose tackles on roster due freshman Tyler Shelvin redshirting after being ruled partially eligibility. Shelvin is able to practice, but can’t play in games.
“He will use his redshirt academic year, but we’re allowed to have him,” Orgeron said regarding Shelvin. “We’re glad to have him. I think he’s going to be a tremendous player for us in the future.”
“If we have to move someone in an emergency, we can,” Orgeron said. “I think [Alexander and Gilmore] are going to share reps. Ed has battled some injuries. He’s a little bit overweight right now. We’re going to have to limit Ed’s reps because of that. But if we get him completely healthy, he’ll be a good player.”
Gilmore, on the other hand, lost a lot of body fat and is in shape to have a good year. Once Alexander gets healthy, Orgeron believes he can take over.
Jonathan Rucker and Caleb Lewis receive scholarships
Senior linebacker Jonathan Rucker and sophomore quarterback Caleb Lewis were awarded full scholarships on Friday.
“Here’s a young man who came to me during the summer,” Orgeron said about Lewis. “Always wanted to be a tiger. Players love him. He told me ‘Coach, I want to stay here, but I can’t make it.’ So I told him if I could make it, I would. Two scholarships came open, so I gave it to him.”
Stats
Danny Etling: 13-22, 168 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
Myles Brennan: 10-20, 122 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Lowell Narcisse: 0-2, rushing TD
DJ Chark: 3 receptions, 89 yards
Darrel Williams: 3 receptions, 22 yards
Stephen Sullivan: 2 receptions, 27 yards
Racey McMath: 2 receptions, 25 yards
Drake Davis: 2 receptions, 13 yards
Justin Jefferson: TD from Brennan
Darrel Williams: 17 carries, 60 yards
Clyde Edwards-Helaire: 13 carries, 50 yards
Nick Brousette: 12 carries, 47 yards
Derrius Guice: 7 carries, 47 yards
JaCoby Stevens: 4 carries, 21 yards
