In four games this season, the Tigers have completed seven passes of more than 15 yards to receivers not named Rueben Randle.
That number drops significantly to only three completions on passes of more than 20 yards on throws not directed at the junior wide receiver. Randle has eight catches for at least 15 yards and five for at least 20 yards.
“We take a shot at whoever the defense gives us,” Randle said. “If they leave me one-on-one, man-to-man, the ball comes to me. If they do anything else, we’ll play the other side of the field.”
The Bastrop native has emerged as the Tigers’ main deep threat this season. The next best deep threat option is a tie between senior tight end Deangelo Peterson and true freshman wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr., who both have two catches for more than 15 yards.
Beckham has emerged as another possible big-play threat for the Tigers after reeling in two bombs — a 30-yard catch and a 52-yard touchdown reception — against West Virginia last weekend.
Beckham had 15 catches for 111 yards before last week’s game against the Mountaineers.
“[Beckham’s] been showing us what he’s got since he’s been here,” said junior cornerback Morris Claiborne. “He’s stepping in, and he’s playing that role, and he’s doing well.”
Randle is the only receiver to average more than 15 yards per catch, with the exception of junior wide receiver Russell Shepard, who has caught one pass for 16 yards this season.
The return of Shepard could alter the Tigers’ offensive strategy. However, Shepard knows the receiving corps has more than enough talent to go around.
“It’s not just me coming back, you have people like Odell Beckham, [freshman wideout] Jarvis Landry, [sophomore wideout] Kadron Boone,” Shepard said. “This is possibly one of the best years since ’06-’07 that we’ve had the most talent at the receiver position.”
It’s no secret that LSU coach Les Miles’ offensive game plan is to wear the opposing team down with smashing runs up the middle and quick short passes.
Senior quarterback Jarrett Lee is tied for No. 94 in the country with Toledo junior quarterback Austin Dantin in yards per game at 156. However, Lee makes a considerable jump to No. 43 in passing efficiency [145.08] and a 64.4 completion percentage.
“In ’08, [Lee] beat Auburn and was on top, then through the season he was at the bottom of the pit,” Shepard said. “When you have a young man who’s been through things like that at such a young age, it takes a lot to shake somebody like him.”
The Tigers relatively conservative style of play has worked, as LSU has averaged 4.5 touchdowns and 350 yards of total offense per game. LSU has outscored opponents, 155-57, by an average of 24.5 points per game.
The Tigers will be tested this weekend as they take on a Kentucky team that’s ranked No. 14 in the nation in passing defense.
 
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Contact Michael Gegenheimer at [email protected]