A depleted LSU football team completed its last spring practice on Saturday, as the Purple team defeated the White team, 17-7, in the National L Club Spring Game at Tiger Stadium.
Due to either injury or eligibility issues, the Tigers were without several starters on both sides of the ball and a few other role players when the spring game kicked off. But LSU coach Les Miles anticipates most should be recovered or eligible when summer workouts begin and so will an offseason filled with lofty expectations.
Come fall, LSU coach Les Miles said he thinks his team will be capable of meeting those expectations, if his team puts in the effort.
“We still have a lot of work to do,” Miles said. “We’re not accomplished in anyway. I think we have the pieces here to be an elite team. [We] need to work hard this summer.”
One of the glaring differences junior running back Leonard Fournette notices this spring is the amount of voices the team has in locker room.
With 18 of 22 starters returning, there’s a veteran presence the Tigers didn’t have in years past, partially due to early departures.
“We have plenty leaders now,” Fournette said. “Not just me, not just Jamal [Adams], [Davon] Godchaux, everybody is playing their role.”
Playing only with the available first-team offense, junior quarterback Brandon Harris, the presumed starter, finished the afternoon 11-of-16 for 106 yards. Junior transfer quarterback Danny Etling completed 6-of-11 passes for 106 yards with one touchdowns and one interception.
Harris and the first-team offense faced the first-team defense in the first half, while Etling commanded the second-team offense against second-team defense. Harris and Etling then squared off against the second and a first-team defenses, respectively, in the second half, which used a running clock.
Etling also received a series with the first-team offense against the second-team defense in the second half.
Despite who else on the depth chart, Harris is ready compete every day for a starting role.
“Listen,” Harris said. “You’re always in quarterback battles regardless. Every position on this field is up for grabs. It’s so competitive, being at a place like this [LSU]. I feel like I’m in a battle every time I touch the field. I’m competing with myself.”
On the receiving end, freshman wide receiver Dee Anderson only had two catches for 80 yards but was on the receiving end of 70-yard touchdown pass from Etling. Anderson blew past a walk-on cornerback on the reception.
“I like Dee Anderson’s reception for a touchdown,” Miles said. “He’s a guy who really has the potential to make big plays, big games.”
Aside from seeing most of the quarterbacks play, Tiger faithful got a sneak peek to look at what the defense will look like under new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda.
The new scheme, which Miles said he didn’t want to show too much to his opponents, put pressure on the offense all day, taking down the quarterbacks eight times and had 13 tackles for loss.
“We’re in a good position,” Miles said. “You’ll see the scheme of the defense continue to take off. You had to put some time in 15 practices to get a real quality base, and I think we did that.”
While the defense has a few more tweaks to be added, most of the pressure came from when the Tigers were in nickel packages, bringing pressure from the defensive backfield. Senior cornerback Dwayne Thomas and junior cornerback Xavier Lewis racked up two sacks each.
All five early enrollees saw some time on the field today, one which took advantage of his extra playing time.
Down four defensive backs, which included three starters, freshman cornerback Saivion Smith started the game with the first-team defense. The Bradenton, Florida native was all over the field on defense, hauling in an interception and making three tackles.
“He’s a great physical presence,” Aranda said. “He’s got a great demeanor about him. He gets pissed off, he gets upset with things and he’s able to play with that type of fire. I think he’s got a natural streak in him, that’s going to allow him to be a great player.”
With spring ball finally behind them, the Tigers head into the summer with the goal of being the championship team they envision themselves to be, junior safety Jamal Adams said.
“The sky’s the limit for this team,” he said. “We’re going to regroup and battle throughout the summer and into the fall.”