Michael Bacigalupi
By Hunt Palmer and Matt Moscona
A week after the defense swallowed the LSU offense whole in Tiger Stadium, the offense got its revenge on Saturday.
The offense scored 10 touchdowns over periods that included full-field drives, three red zone possessions and two two-minute drives. The offense chewed up yards, protected the football for the most part, produced some big plays and clearly won the day.
QUARTERBACK COMMENTS
I thought both scholarship players really handled themselves well. They split reps between the first and second teams. Neither threw an interception though Huson Longstreet had one dropped by Treylan James during the two-minute period. The next play was a 58-yard strike for a touchdown to a streaking Winnie Watkins.
Longstreet also hit Jackson Harris up the seam in his second drive for a 40-yard touchdown right between DJ Pickett and Ja’Keem Jackson. Later, Longstreet and Harris hooked up again, this time for a 46-yard catch and run. The third touchdown connection from Longstreet to Harris from 25 yards out on a scramble drill was counted by the staff. I’d have credited a blitzing Charles Ross with a sack, but give Harris a hat trick of touchdowns.
In a red zone period, Longstreet ran in off the offensive right side against the first team defense. He can move his feet.
Landen Clark was much better, too. He threw three interceptions a week ago and really didn’t put the ball in harm’s way on Saturday afternoon. He made a great threw to Phillip Wright on a fade for about 20 yards on a touchdown drive. That jaunt also included a 20 yard seam route to Jayce Brown. His best play might have been a two-point conversion when the pocket collapsed forcing him to step up and then fire a dart to the back of the endzone for Wright who hauled it in.
By my eye, Longstreet had the better day, but it was a well-played afternoon.
THIRD TEAM HIGHLIGHTS
The lone interception of the day came from Emile Picarella who tried to throw an out route. Craig Walter jumped it for a 77 yard pick six.
Picarella had his moments, though. He hit Tyree Holloway for a 67 yard score and ended the workout with a really good throw to JD LaFluer for a touchdown in the red zone.
INJURY REPORT
Sam Leavitt and Whit Weeks sat out. Tamarcus Cooley was also present but not dressed out. Jhase Thomas took his first reps, but Faheem Delane and CJ Jimcoily got a lot of action, as well.
Tre’ Brown and Tre Wilson also missed the scrimmage. had his jersey on but no pads.
William Satterwhite was the last of the missing scholarship players. That meant Ryan Miret worked with the second team at center. Christian Stamps and Ja’Quan Sprinkle also got some time snapping the ball.
KICKING COMPETITION
Scott Starzyk was perfect a perfect 3-for-3 from inside 40 yards. Sean Perret was good from 37. Gavin Higgins missed wide right from 37.
1-ON-1s
Before the team period, they lined up Winnie Watkins and PJ Woodland for three one-on-one reps. The first was a pass interference that may have drawn 20 flags. They just rained in from everywhere. Watkins shook free pretty easily on the second rep. On the third, Clark dropped a fade in the bucket at the back pylon for a touchdown. Woodland was there, but it was too good a throw.
HUNT’S TAKE
I was glad to see the offense punch back on Saturday. There were some running lanes, some big plays and consistent rhythm for the majority of the day.
Watkins appears to be a real playmaker. He and Jayce Brown really stand out to me. Obviously, you can’t discredit Harris’s three touchdowns. That group of receivers is starting to rise to the top of a huge competition.
Deuce Geralds spent some time on the edge which I found interesting. It’s obvious that the staff is taking a very close look at Geralds in his first spring. He’ll be getting reps in the fall for sure.
Harlem Berry and Dilin Jones handled running back duties with the first team.
It was an encouraging day after a disastrous Saturday last week for the offense. The Tigers have one more week of spring ball, and then it’s all eyes on fall.
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