BATON ROUGE ? Jordan Jefferson‘s 40-yard touchdown pass to Brandon LaFell and a 60-yard TD run by Keiland Williams highlighted LSU’s second full-scale scrimmage of preseason camp here Saturday in Tiger Stadium.
Saturday’s scrimmage was 150 snaps in length and featured the first offense facing the first defense for most of the day. The defense was limited due to the fact that it was a “thud” scrimmage and there was no tackling to the ground. LSU also spent time on working on all phases of special teams.
“It was a good, long go,” LSU coach Les Miles said following the workout. “We touched on every game situation that we could get to. We had third downs. We had long drives, two minute, four minute and goal line. Our kickers and punters came out and pooch-punted.
“More than anything, we tested the team in a number of game situations, and it was really as coaches what we needed to see. We operated the clock. We had a full set of officials. The operations of the game went well. We got them on and off the field and substituted wisely, but again, it was a learning situation for coaches and players. Its not practice; it’s a game that operates out of situations, and we tested them today”
Jefferson paced the Tiger offense by connecting on 16-of-24 passes for close to 200 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Jarrett Lee connected on 10-of-18 passes with two interceptions, while Russell Shepard was 2-of-6 from the quarterback position.
Williams led the Tiger running game with nine carries for 71 yards, including the 60-yard TD run. LaFell led the Tiger receives with five catches for 72 yards, which included the 40-yard TD catch. Chris Mitchell added a 3-yard TD reception for the Tigers.
“I thought our quarterback and offense played pretty well,” Miles said. “I thought that they may well have been governed by the defense. One-hand tags make for short gains, and this was not a tackle scrimmage but a controlled scrimmage with two-hand touch.
“I think the rushing was probably a little bit lighter than we actually achieved, but I thought we played well. I thought the defense was all over the field and had great speed to the ball. I think the offense played efficiently and played well today, and it was just what we needed to do.”
Defensively, linebacker Harry Coleman and defensive back Brandon Taylor each intercepted passes for the Tigers. Coleman added four tackles, while linebacker Perry Riley had a sack for a 5-yard loss. Ryan Baker paced the Tiger defense with seven tackles, including one for a 3-yard loss.
“I think the defense looked good,” Miles said. “Again, I don’t know that they were tested as much considering it wasn’t tackle football today, but the defense played well. The defensive front pressured the ball, gave them every opportunity to defend against the rush and to pressure the passer.”
The Tigers will have one final scrimmage before the season starts and that will come on Tuesday in Tiger Stadium. The final scrimmage will be shorter in length and will be one that will allow the defense to tackle.
“Were a ways a way, but I like where we are,” Miles said. “I think all the pieces are there. We just need to tighten up and play better. We look forward to playing on the road, putting the team together, playing a very good opponent and playing well on the road.”
LSU opens its fifth season under Miles on Sept. 5 when the Tigers travel to Seattle to face Washington. Kickoff for the contest is set for 9:30 p.m. CT and it will be televised nationally by ESPN.