LSU, already thin in the defensive backfield, will have to deal with the injury to starting cornerback Randall Gay.
Gay is out at least two weeks according to coach Nick Saban. He will have a follow-up X-ray at that point and it will be determined how much the bone, which was not fractured all the way through, has healed before seeing if Gay could wear something protective over the injured part of the left arm.
With Gay out for at least two games, Ronnie Prude will assume a starting spot Gay leaves. The injury will also mean true freshmen safeties Jessie Daniels and LaRon Landry will have to play more of a role in the Tigers’ secondary.
The two drew praise from Saban and fellow defensive teammates.
“We’re all right,” starting cornerback Corey Webster said of the effect Gay’s injury will have. “We have a lot of young guys. They have to step it up. They did real well for their first game.”
Linebacker Lionel Turner said Daniels and Landry were solid in both pass coverage and run support.
“My hat’s off to those two guys as freshmen coming in,” Turner said. “They did an outstanding job.”
Gay’s injury also brings up another intriguing possibility: the possibility of seeing wide receiver Michael Clayton playing some safety, Saturday, if needed.
“We’re prepared for him to play defense,” Saban said. “Obviously with Gay out and at a position where we’re thin, there’s a greater possibility he’ll play this coming game [as compared to the ULM game].”
Catch him if you can
Though graduating senior Domanick Davis left a rather large hole in the Tigers’ kick return game, there is hope.
Enter Shyrone Carey.
Carey, the 5-foot-6 backup running back, showed promise returning punts against ULM on Saturday notching a 20.5 return average on four returns. He had a long of 33 yards.
More importantly to Saban, Carey did not fumble the ball or muff a catch. Saban said possession of the ball is the most important outcome of a punt return.
“Shyrone did a good job in the game,” Saban said. “He played with a lot of confidence and poise.”
When asked if Carey’s short frame made it hard to find him in a group of players, Saban said other factors make Carey tough to tackle.
“I don’t know if his size is as big of a problem as it is his change of direction and quickness,” Saban said. “His greatest asset is not that he’s short, but that he has strength.”
Carey also carried the ball three times for 11 yards and a touchdown Saturday.
On Target
Quarterback Matt Mauck went 13-of-28 for 153 yards and three touchdowns and an interception. He ran for 10 yards on seven carries. He did not display any ill effects of the foot injury that caused him to miss the final seven games of last season.
The interception, however, stopped Mauck’s streak of consecutive passes without an interception at 94.
“I felt good,” Mauck said Monday. “There’s always things you can improve on.
“I really didn’t think about [the foot]. It didn’t cross my mind. After the game, the foot was a little sore, which was expected.”
As far as the offense goes, right guard Stephen Peterman said the first game gave the coaches a chance to address the strengths and weaknesses of the unit before heading on the road to Arizona.
“We threw the ball well,” Peterman said. “Hopefully we can get all of the kinks out. The main thing on the road is to get a great start and take the crowd out [of the game].”
Quick Hits
Kicking was thought to be a concern for the Tigers coming into the season. Redshirt freshman Ryan Gaudet did not calm the concern when he has his first attempt of his LSU career blocked shortly after the Tigers returned to the field from the weather delay in the first quarter . . . Arizona has several key injuries to keep an eye on. Starting left guard John Parada is out for the year due to a knee injury and sophomore tailback Gainus Scott is out indefinitely due to undisclosed reasons. Senior tailback Clarence Farmer is questionable due to a shoulder injury and backup right tackle Tanner Bell is doubtful with a knee injury. On defense, backup linebacker Kirk Johnson and starting corner Gary Love are both questionable due to knee and ankle injuries, respectively.