Back problems sideline two LSU quarterbacks

By David Moorman  |   Friday, August 22, 2008  |  Comments( 0 )

LSU Tigers
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LSU has completed the three scrimmages it planned to conduct in getting ready for the Aug. 30 season opener against Appalachian State in Tiger Stadium. But we'll get back to that later.

Besides the public and media, which were barred from the workouts, the real news was the people who weren’t there. Namely, quarterbacks Andrew Hatch and Jarrett Lee.

Hatch, a sophomore, left the second scrimmage early with what coach Les Miles described as “a little stiffness in his back.”

Hatch was back in full force for the third and final scrimmage, but Lee, a redshirt freshman, missed that one after having experienced back spasms at an earlier practice. Lee wished to take part, Miles said, but the coaching staff wanted to “make sure he was fresh” for game-week preparations.

Given that Lee missed some practice time early with a sore ankle, and now a scrimmage with back spasms, it’s likely Hatch will start the season opener. Even so, the two are sure to split plenty of time throughout the season.

True freshman Jordan Jefferson may well see some playing time, too, although it won’t be as significant as the others. Jefferson’s athleticism and development have drawn Miles’ praise. In the third scrimmage, Hatch and Jefferson combined to complete 16-of-30 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns.

The LSU sports information department released only team statistics from the 100-play situational scrimmage that was forced indoors because of rain. In the second -- a 140-play situational scrimmage -- the three quarterbacks combined to complete 26-of-50 passes for 255 yards.

The quarterbacks are not to be confused as the Tigers’ playmakers, however. That distinction belongs to the deep pool of running backs, the skillful receivers and even a highly touted defensive line.

Juniors Charles Scott and Keiland Williams, and sophomore Richard Murphy, headline a potent running back corps. The receivers, such as senior Demetrius Byrd and junior Brandon LaFell, may flourish more in another system, but as dangerous threats, they’ll keep defenses honest.

As for LSU’s talented defensive line, it continues to excel with the likes of senior ends Tyson Jackson and Kirston Pittman, junior tackle Ricky Jean-Francois and up-and-coming sophomore tackle Drake Nevis.

The quarterbacks simply have to play it close to the vest, and make sure they put LSU in a position to win rather than do something that might cause the Tigers to lose.
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About David Moorman

Dave Moormann is an award-winning journalist, who has covered LSU athletics since 1980. He began his coverage with the Baton Rouge Advocate, where he was a writer and editor from 1980-98. In 1996, he authored a book on the history of LSU football entitled, "Fighting Tigers Handbook: Stories, Stats...
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