After a disappointing end to the 2011 football season, a promising spring has LSU looking forward to the fall.
A black cloud hung over the program before the season even started following the incident at Shady’s Bar. A number of players were involved in an altercation Aug. 19 with Andrew Lowery and three other unidentified people. The fight resulted in the suspension and arrest of former quarterback Jordan Jefferson and junior linebacker Josh Johns – though charges against Johns have been dropped.
Both players were reinstated before LSU’s game with Kentucky, but Jefferson still faces a misdemeanor charge of simple battery, and his legal process will continue May 10 with a hearing between Jefferson and a judge. Jefferson pleaded innocent during his arraignment on Feb. 9.
Despite the early adversity off the field, LSU shrugged aside the trouble and took care of business on the field. The Tigers rolled to an undefeated regular season, including a 9-6 victory Nov. 5 in the “Game of the Century” against Alabama.
The Tigers followed that with a Southeastern Conference Championship after handling Georgia in the championship game, which guaranteed the Tigers a spot in the BCS National Championship in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
That’s when the disappointment came. The Tigers faced a rematch with Alabama, only this time things didn’t go LSU’s way. The Tide shut out the Tigers and prevented them from crossing the 50-yard line until the fourth quarter.
The criticism mounted against LSU coach Les Miles as he stuck with Jefferson, who struggled in the game, instead of turning to former quarterback Jarrett Lee, who played well during Jefferson’s suspension.
But as the weeks carried on, fans began to overcome their grief and look toward next season.
Miles made changes to the coaching staff after former defensive backs coach Ron Cooper left for the NFL and former wide receivers coach Billy Gonzales took an offensive coordinator position with Illinois. Adam Henry replaced Gonzales and Corey Raymond replaced Cooper.
Fans had more to look forward to on National Signing Day as LSU brought in another top-20 recruiting class. Though the class lacked star power, LSU raked in nine Rivals four-star recruits.
While LSU adds recruits, the team also loses five players to the NFL Draft. Morris Claiborne (Dallas) and Michael Brockers (St. Louis) went in the first round. Rueben Randle (New York Giants) was picked late in the second round. Brandon Taylor (Philadelphia) went in the third round, and Ron Brooks (Buffalo) served as LSU’s final drafted player, going in the fourth round.
After a month of spring practices, the spring season culminated March 31 in the National L-Club Spring Game. Though an exhibition, fans saw the new-look Tigers take the field for the first time since the disaster in New Orleans.
The white team won, 24-17, behind new quarterback Zach Mettenberger’s 270 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Receivers Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. each contributed more than 100 receiving yards.
That emphasis on the passing attack is a sign that LSU is moving past the Jefferson-Lee era and into a time of more success.
____ Contact Hunter Paniagua at [email protected]