Vandy?
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Vanderbilt, LSU coaches put trust into young hands
Sophomores run both offenses
LSU's Jordan Jefferson and Vanderbilt's Larry Smith share some common ground.
Both are sophomores starting at quarterback in the SEC. Both started bowl games as freshmen.
Both led their high schools to 15-0 records and state titles as seniors, Jefferson in Louisiana and Smith in Alabama.
And as both showed last week in their season openers, passing the football is not the only thing they do well.
Jefferson rushed for 42 yards in LSU's 31-23 win over Washington. Smith ran for 66 yards in the Commodores' 45-0 rout of Western Carolina.
Contending with dual-threat quarterbacks will pose a challenge for both defenses Saturday in Baton Rouge.
"When you rush the passer, you've got to be careful because (Jefferson) will pull it down and run it," Vanderbilt Coach Bobby Johnson said.
"They do run some option. They run some zone read. He's very dangerous doing that. And he can throw it."
The 6-foot-4 Jefferson threw for 172 yards and three touchdowns Saturday, making use of receivers Brandon LaFell (6-3) and Terrance Toliver (6-5) for eight of his 11 completions.
LSU Coach Les Miles doesn't mind Jefferson running the ball, but he would like him to avoid the vicious hits he took against Washington by learning to slide.
"We'll always have option in every game plan," Miles said. "There's a place and time when you get into the secondary when your quarterback needs to get down. It's his body, but it's our quarterback.
"It's admirable that he has that kind of courage, but it's something we want to control. We want him to go down low and go get the yards you can safely. It's something he needs to learn."
Vanderbilt is coming off its first shutout in 10 years and held Western Carolina to four first downs.
"It's a different view than the team we just played," Miles said. "(Vanderbilt) starts in the cover-two shell a lot and moves from there. I think it's something that (Jefferson) will be very comfortable with."
Since 2001, five LSU quarterbacks have been drafted ? Josh Booty, Rohan Davey, Matt Mauck, JaMarcus Russell and Matt Flynn.
Johnson knows that slowing Jefferson down on Saturday is essential to the Commodores' chances for an upset.
"I'm really impressed with Jefferson," Johnson said. "He's a big headache."
Sophomores run both offenses
LSU's Jordan Jefferson and Vanderbilt's Larry Smith share some common ground.
Both are sophomores starting at quarterback in the SEC. Both started bowl games as freshmen.
Both led their high schools to 15-0 records and state titles as seniors, Jefferson in Louisiana and Smith in Alabama.
And as both showed last week in their season openers, passing the football is not the only thing they do well.
Jefferson rushed for 42 yards in LSU's 31-23 win over Washington. Smith ran for 66 yards in the Commodores' 45-0 rout of Western Carolina.
Contending with dual-threat quarterbacks will pose a challenge for both defenses Saturday in Baton Rouge.
"When you rush the passer, you've got to be careful because (Jefferson) will pull it down and run it," Vanderbilt Coach Bobby Johnson said.
"They do run some option. They run some zone read. He's very dangerous doing that. And he can throw it."
The 6-foot-4 Jefferson threw for 172 yards and three touchdowns Saturday, making use of receivers Brandon LaFell (6-3) and Terrance Toliver (6-5) for eight of his 11 completions.
LSU Coach Les Miles doesn't mind Jefferson running the ball, but he would like him to avoid the vicious hits he took against Washington by learning to slide.
"We'll always have option in every game plan," Miles said. "There's a place and time when you get into the secondary when your quarterback needs to get down. It's his body, but it's our quarterback.
"It's admirable that he has that kind of courage, but it's something we want to control. We want him to go down low and go get the yards you can safely. It's something he needs to learn."
Vanderbilt is coming off its first shutout in 10 years and held Western Carolina to four first downs.
"It's a different view than the team we just played," Miles said. "(Vanderbilt) starts in the cover-two shell a lot and moves from there. I think it's something that (Jefferson) will be very comfortable with."
Since 2001, five LSU quarterbacks have been drafted ? Josh Booty, Rohan Davey, Matt Mauck, JaMarcus Russell and Matt Flynn.
Johnson knows that slowing Jefferson down on Saturday is essential to the Commodores' chances for an upset.
"I'm really impressed with Jefferson," Johnson said. "He's a big headache."
Thanks IE...may not play the game but thinking maybe Tigers laying about 4 more than they should be?
Was just wondering the same thing Ageecee...been wet most of the day here although I'm a little NE of the city. Don't have a clue if it would help one team more than the other. An interesting side point...Chavis knows Vandy from his Tennessee days; but at the same time Vandys got to know him to. Could be interesting.
Kinda thinking like you Autt...that Vandy could play them fairly tuff. They have most of last yrs team back and they did beat Ole Miss in Oxford...although it was probably the Rebels worst game of the year...and then the Rebels go and beat Florida the next week...go figure...but that's what makes college football great. Can't wait till tomorrow...:0corn
Kinda thinking like you Autt...that Vandy could play them fairly tuff. They have most of last yrs team back and they did beat Ole Miss in Oxford...although it was probably the Rebels worst game of the year...and then the Rebels go and beat Florida the next week...go figure...but that's what makes college football great. Can't wait till tomorrow...:0corn
I'm backing off the Vandy lean. It's been raining most all night in the area...not hard but steady, and I just don't like to have a play when the weather could be a factor. Although the only areas I see LSU having an advantage are in the running back & receiving department, that could be enough to make a difference if the field is slippery.
