Unanswered questions have been the theme of the LSU football team’s first two games.
First, the team faced questions about an ineptness in closing out football games following a nail-biter against North Carolina.
Now the questions have made their way to junior quarterback Jordan Jefferson — fresh off a career-worst game last weekend at Vanderbilt.
With LSU’s home opener looming just three days away and an array of eager fans who have waited about 10 months for another night game at Tiger Stadium, Jefferson has made a plea to fans.
“I just hope the fans will really be realistic,” he said. “I’m a college player. I’m still working. I’m still learning. I’m trying to do my best to help this team improve. … I would just hope they keep faith in me and still have time. Just have time to wait for me to help the offense.”
Jefferson’s request comes four days after a night to forget in Nashville, Tenn. His stat line — 8-of-20 passing for 96 yards and an interception — was not a misprint. Neither were his 13 rushing attempts that netted a measly 13 yards.
The start of the game against Vanderbilt was indicative of how the rest of the game would go for Jefferson. On the first play from scrimmage, he fumbled and fended off three Vanderbilt defenders for the ball, though senior running back Richard Murphy was credited with the recovery.
Two possessions later, Jefferson was in the shotgun and dropped the snap from sophomore center P.J. Lonergan. Jefferson said he was “too busy reading what the defense was doing.”
He also fumbled a third time near halftime, but it was recovered by freshman running back Alfred Blue.
Things only got worse for Jefferson. In the first half alone, he managed to complete only three passes, all of which came in the first quarter.
Jefferson’s last completion of the half came with less than two minutes remaining in the first quarter when he connected with junior tight end Mitch Joseph for 10 yards. He then strung together eight straight incompletions, with his next completion coming nearly 20 minutes later on LSU’s first drive of the third quarter.
A few balls were dropped, but most of Jefferson’s passes were either at the feet or over the heads of the receivers.
“I looked at the film — all my reads were correct. If I get the ball up a couple more inches, then it’s a totally different game for me,” said Jefferson, whose night also included an overthrown ball in the third quarter that was intercepted in the Vanderbilt end zone for a touchback.
Jefferson’s 96 passing yards tied a career low from last October against Florida. Junior quarterback Jarrett Lee played two series in the fourth quarter and completed one pass — a 16-yard laser to sophomore wide receiver Rueben Randle.
LSU coach Les Miles stirred the pot after the game regarding a possible quarterback switch in the future.
“We’re going to continue to evaluate our quarterback situation, and frankly we’re going to expect more out of the position,” he said. “Both [Jefferson and Lee] can give it to us. … We’re going to encourage Lee because he’s a guy who’s going to have to win games for us as we go forward.”
Message boards and fan chatter swirled Saturday night and Sunday as fans wondered if Jefferson would be replaced, but Miles slammed the door shut Monday during his weekly press conference.
“I have no problem putting [Lee] in the game,” Miles said. “I can only tell you that it is a game feel and not something that we are envisioning at this point.”
Despite his struggles, Jefferson’s teammates spent Monday showing support for him, though one player didn’t exactly give a ringing endorsement.
“I have faith in my quarterback, and if they want to call Jarrett Lee’s number, I’m ready for Jarrett to get in there also,” said junior running back Stevan Ridley. “I’m not picking or choosing either one, but we have some talent on the bench.”
Lee was not available for comment Tuesday.
 
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Contact Sean Isabella at [email protected]