LSU football coach Les Miles voiced his happiness about the outcome of Saturday’s last-second victory against Tennessee, but he was not happy with the way LSU got the win.
 
Miles took the blame for the error in clock management that nearly cost LSU the game and an undefeated record heading into its matchup with No. 14 Florida this weekend. He said to have junior quarterback Jordan Jefferson spike the ball would have been the right call after Jefferson failed to score on a running play on second and goal from the Tennessee 2-yard line.
 
“Certainly I understand the responsibility of the way we managed the back end of the game is mine,” Miles said to open his Monday media luncheon. “I can tell you the issue was trying to use and have utility in an extra down. … That was not the mistake that was made at Ole Miss [last year].”
 
When asked why he seemed jubilant with his team after a somewhat fortuitous victory, Miles said he values the hard work of the players.
 
“The issue is I enjoy victory. Certainly our football team fought their hearts out and got it,” Miles said. “For me not to enjoy the victory and not celebrate with my team would have been a mistake.”
 
Miles said he called the game’s final play — a 1-yard touchdown run by junior running back Stevan Ridley that vaulted LSU ahead, 16-14. He also said the decision of whether Jefferson or junior Jarrett Lee goes in at quarterback on particular plays varies between himself and “the play-caller,” who he confirmed was offensive coordinator Gary Crowton.
 
“Before the series, generally there is conversation that would involve me, and during the series, generally that’s the play-caller,” Miles said.
 
Miles said he did not consider putting Lee in the game on the final plays.
 
“We kind of like the calls we had with Jordan in the game, and the opportunities for us to have advantages really rested on him at that end of the field,” Miles said.
 
Miles said both Jefferson and Lee will play against Florida, but he would not name a starter yet.
 
Ridley said the negativity from fans surrounding LSU’s football team is unwarranted because the team is 5-0, and he said a two-quarterback system between Jefferson and Lee can be valuable because each brings his own talents to the huddle.
 
“If we have to run a two-quarterback system, so be it,” Ridley said. “You never see Jarrett Lee break an [83]-yard run, but he comes in the game and is great throwing the ball. … Everybody wants to point a finger when things aren’t going as planned. … It’s ugly, but it’s getting done.”
 
Lee is eager to get another shot against Florida.
 
Lee started the 2008 game against the Gators as a redshirt freshman — a 51-21 LSU loss in which he threw two touchdowns and two interceptions — and he did not play in last year’s 13-3 loss as a sophomore.
 
“I know what Florida is like. I have to make the most of every opportunity,” Lee said. “We’ve learned from our mistakes … and we’ve got Coach Miles’ back. No matter what happens, we go out and play for him.”
 
 
 
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Contact Rachel Whittaker at [email protected]