LSU Practice Report: August 23

By Hunt Palmer

LSU put on helmets and went into Tiger Stadium with the lights on for one more dress rehearsal before game week Saturday night.

The practice was a massive walk through that presented a multitude of game situations from standard first and tens to goalline packages to kickoffs to kickoff returns to substitutions on special teams, quick change of possession on fumbles, big play hurry ups. You get the picture. They worked on about anything a standard game can offer.

There was no tackling, so play-by-play wasn’t noteworthy. One piece to the equation was. Garrett Nussmeier did not throw at all. We saw that back on Monday, and Brian Kelly suggested Nussmeier was just resting his arm. That makes plenty of sense. August demands a ton of throws from a lot of arms. I just found it noteworthy that the starting quarterback hasn’t thrown a pass in two of the last four practices we’ve watched. Nussmeier was dressed and participated fully in the running game reps. He was bouncing all over the field and in good spirits. He just didn’t throw.

ATENDENCE NOTES

Nic Anderson, Carius Curne, CJ Jackson, Keylan Moses and Austin Ausberry were all present but not dressed out.

I did not see Dominck McKinley present. We were up in the press box, and there were a lot of bodies on the field/sideline, but I also didn’t chart him on any of the reps. So, it’s likely he wasn’t present.

Braelin Moore was in shoulder pads and a helmet working off to the side doing some shotgun snaps and light run game work. He did not participate in any team drills. We spoke with Moore on Friday afternoon, so I don’t think that’s anything serious to worry about. Again, he was a limited participant, not fully out of the workout.

OFFENSIVE LINE

With Moore out and Curne not available, DJ Chester worked as the first team center. Paul Mubenga was the left guard, and Weston Davis did work as the right tackle. Tyree Adams and Josh Thompson manned their usual spots.

DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE

There was no tackling, and the line of scrimmage was playing at 85 to 90 percent speed, so take that into plenty of consideration when reading.

The defense shoved the offense in a locker.

Nussmeier was not throwing, so Michael Van Buren and Colin Hurley took most of the 11-on-11 reps. I think there was one completed pass of over four yards in the air. Kyle Parker caught a 65-yard deep ball over Michael Turner. Everything else was completely muzzled.

Harlem Berry had a nice catch and run on a flat route to the right that probably would have scored. Bauer Sharp made a nice catch a run on a similar play. Down the field was a no fly zone due to coverage, pass rush and some inaccuracy from the backup quarterbacks.

TRENCH WORK

The linemen went to 1-on-1s in pass rush situations at one point. I thought the reps were split pretty evenly between both sides.

Weston Davis had a good win over Jack Pyburn.

Josh Thompson stonewalled Jacobian Guillory.

The big defensive wins were from Zion Williams who flatbacked Brett Bordelon twice. Williams is a strong dude.

Gabriel Reliford looked good in the drill as well.

RETURN MEN

On kickoff return, we saw No. 6 and No. 0 back which I expected. I just thought it would be Barion Brown and Zavion Thomas. Instead, the other No. 0, Tamarcus Cooley, was back with Brown as a lead blocker.

Thomas handled the punt returns.

Those two should get nearly all the return work for the Tigers.

GENERAL THOUGHTS

It was a very light workout that was probably as much mental as it was physical. The guys have been getting up early for practice all month long and will have to be sharp at 7:30 pm local time for kickoff next week. That’s why they went into the stadium for a night practice.

None of the players we saw held out where on crutches or in a cast. I think the team is relatively healthy and ready to go.

Every time I leave a practice I come away impressed with the defense. My concerns at backup quarterback are still significant.

But the hay is in the barn for the offseason. Sunday the team will be off, and Monday school begins with game week.

It’s time to play.