Fifteen practices, three scrimmages and a National L Club Spring Game later, the LSU football team has concluded one of the most scrutinized spring seasons in years.
The responsibility now falls on the players to continue preparations before summer two-a-days begin before the Sept. 3 season opener against Oregon.
“Now that we cut them loose, we don’t get to touch them again until August, and so now it’s time for them to take the role of coaching,” said offensive coordinator Steve Kragthorpe.
Senior center T-Bob Hebert has been through this routine three times already, and he knows what lies ahead for the Tigers.
“We can’t rest on our laurels because we haven’t actually done anything yet,” Hebert said. “We’re glad spring’s over, but now it’s time to go back to work. There’s no rest for the weary.”
Sophomore running back Spencer Ware will enter the offseason atop the running back depth chart after his two-touchdown performance Saturday, leading the White team to a 22-7 win against the Purple squad in front of 25,032 fans in Tiger Stadium.
Ware stole the show from the contested quarterback competition, rumbling past LSU defenders for 94 yards, averaging 7.2 yards a carry and catching two passes for 50 yards, including a 46-yard reception.
“You put yourself in the position to win the job [in the spring],” Ware said. “We still have summer workouts. Other people are going to get better from now until when the season starts, but I need to stay humble and get better.”
Sophomore running back Alfred Blue rushed for 51 yards, and redshirt freshman running back Jakhari Gore ran for 45 yards.
LSU coach Les Miles is still set on using multiple running backs next season, a constant during Miles’ tenure in Baton Rouge.
“They have the abilities that need to be seen on the field with a guy like Spencer Ware,” Miles said. “The change-up, the fastball and then the curve ball — those things affect the defense. We’re fortunate to have that.”
The shining moment of the passing game came in the first play of the second half.
Sophomore quarterback Zach Mettenberger launched a 60-yard touchdown bomb to wide-open sophomore wide receiver Kadron Boone.
“It was nice to get Mettenberger in the stadium with the crowd around him to see how he would perform,” Miles said. “He continued to get better in the spring with three quarterbacks sharing reps.”
Mettenberger finished with 86 passing yards, connecting on 5-of-8 attempts.
Miles continued to anoint senior quarterback Jordan Jefferson the No. 1 option under center.
Jefferson was 4-for-14 with 102 passing yards. The Destrehan native also threw an interception, committed a fumble and was sacked twice.
Jefferson still said he was satisfied with his performance.
“I feel a lot more confidence,” Jefferson said. “I was really motivated to come out here and have a great spring game. I felt more prepared.”
Senior quarterback Jarrett Lee remains the second gunslinger, but Miles said he could soon lose his spot to the emerging junior college transfer.
Lee had a quiet 9-for-14 day with 63 passing yards and an interception to sophomore safety Eric Reid.
“Jarrett Lee certainly understands the offense a little bit better than Zach, but I don’t know how long that will last,” Miles said. “We’ll have to see how that competition plays out.”
  Click here for more pictures from Saturday’s game
 
The young defensive backs held tight coverage on the Tigers’ wide receivers all afternoon, including sophomore cornerback Tharold Simon.
Miles said Simon continues to make a case for the starting cornerback spot opposite junior Morris Claiborne.
“He’s shown he can make some big plays in a big stadium against good receivers,” Miles said.
Redshirt freshman defensive back Ronnie Vinson picked off Jefferson and recorded a game-high 10 total tackles.
Fourteen players missed Saturday’s game because of injuries, including sophomore running back Michael Ford, junior defensive end Lavar Edwards, sophomore defensive end Sam Montgomery and senior safety Brandon Taylor.
 
Related Column: Katherine’s Corner: Quarterback job is Jefferson’s to lose after spring game
 
Follow Michael Lambert on Twitter @TDR_Lambert.
 
 
_____
Contact Michael Lambert at [email protected]