The LSU football team concluded spring football practice Saturday with a 100-play scripted scrimmage in Tiger Stadium.
Coach Les Miles said he was pleased with the team’s play throughout spring drills and said the hard work paid off in the scrimmage.
“Overall, spring practice went well, and I think this was a very representative day.” Miles said.
With starting quarterback JaMarcus Russell out for spring practice with an injury to his throwing wrist, quarterbacks Matt Flynn and Ryan Perrilloux split repetitions with the No. 1 offense.
Flynn completed 12-of-26 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns and added a 2-yard rushing touchdown during the goal-line drills.
Perrilloux was 11-of-26 for 145 yards and one touchdown.
“I think we got a really good view of both quarterbacks, who got equal looks all spring, and it’s easy to see that there is real potential in the guys that played today.” Miles said. “I think you’ll have to wait to the fall to see exactly how it’s going to go.”
Senior wide receiver Dwayne Bowe was on the receiving end of all three touchdown passes and completed what Miles called a stellar spring with seven catches for 126 yards.
The highlight of the scrimmage came when Bowe made a one-handed touchdown grab over two defenders. He was honored with the offensive Jimmy Taylor Award, which is given to the most outstanding performer in spring practice.
“Dwayne Bowe showed why he is a go-to receiver,” Miles said. “He is a guy that can go up in the air and get a ball, and the quarterbacks look to him regularly.”
Defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, who recorded 28 tackles in a backup role last season, received the defensive Jimmy Taylor Award, after he recorded three tackles.
Sophomore Derry Beckwith led all defenders with eight tackles, and true freshman Jacob Cutrera had five. Junior Ali Highsmith, the only returning starter at linebacker, collected four tackles and a sack.
“We had a lot of people improve and step up when people went down,” Highsmith said of the linebackers. “We were focused whenever we needed to get something done, and I feel like we’re pretty strong now.”
Seven starters, including safety LaRon Landry, missed the final scrimmage because of injuries.
Because of injuries to Alley Broussard, Justin Vincent and R.J. Jackson, running backs Jacob Hester and Antonio Robinson handled the majority of the carries.
Hester opened the scrimmage with an 18-yard run around the left side and finished with 48 yards on 10 carries, and Robinson collected 70 yards on 11 attempts.
Miles said Hester received a limited number of repititons to avoid further injuries at running back but said he would be fully confident for Hester to receive extended minutes in the fall if it became necessary.
“I would have no reservations with him handling the ball in any number of situations or any number of games,” Miles said. “His role has always been a modified role, with the ability to carry the ball more [than a normal fullback] and be a receiver out of the backfield.”
The 3,000 fans in attendance also got a chance to see potential replacements for Skyler Green at punt returner.
Freshman Trindon Holliday returned a punt 66 yards down the right side of the field, and junior Chevis Jackson returned a punt 70 yards down the same side to the 12-yard line.
Although Miles was pleased overall with how spring practice went, he said he is still waiting to see the finished product.
“I think it will be fun to see as many as 11 to 12 starters return to action for the start of our season.” Miles said. “It was nice to see that we have a good football team. When you add the guys that weren’t in uniform today and then throw in a couple freshmen to add depth and speed in certain situations, we’ll have a pretty strong team to start the season.”
 
Contact Jeff Martin at [email protected]