LSU head coach Lane Kiffin weighed his options on Sunday.
One of those is sitting starters for this Saturday’s 6:45 p.m. matchup with McNeese. Sam Leavitt’s status for the game is unknown to the public, but the LSU quarterback hobbled all over the Tiger Stadium turf a week ago in the 35-6 win over Texas A&M. His hamstring gave him problems with mobility, one of his strengths at the position.
When it was time to run, LSU subbed in backup Landen Clark who produced 46 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Clark won the backup role in fall camp, outdueling USC transfer and former five-star recruit Husan Longstreet. Both got extensive reps with the first team in the spring until Leavitt returned from foot surgery.
“He really he does a good job in practice,” Kiffin said. “I.m not saying he’s (Ole Miss’) Trinidad (Chambliss), but in the same way with Trinidad whenever we call it “Trinimagic” whenever we went into scrimmages, all of a sudden these things happen or the games and Landen has done the same thing.
“He really performs really well,” Kiffin said. “He was our third quarterback for the mock game and had to go be the Clemson quarterback in the stadium and ran around all day long and made some plays against our first defense.”
That effort as the scout team earned Clark reps.
As LSU trounced its ACC visitors in the opener, 51-10, Clark stepped in and completed 5-of-7 passes for 72 yards and a score to Phillip Wright III. He also ran for 23 yards.
Practice is one setting. The games are another altogether. Clark was credited with an 0-for-5 passing effort against Texas A&M, but two of his throws were dropped including a potential touchdown to Jayce Brown who was open in the end zone as the ball bounced off his hands.
“Landen’s done a great job when he goes into games,” Kiffin said. “He really finds a way to make plays. I joked with him, ‘you got to be the first player in the history of football to actually throw two touchdowns that are in guys hands, throw another completion in the game and somehow be 0-for-5’. So, that’s hard to do.”
Running back Dilin Jones has shared the huddle with Clark and Leavitt in the season’s first month.
“I feel like it’s the exact same,” he said of the two quarterbacks. “It ain’t no drop off. Landon, he can also go out there. You can see that he’s very comfortable. He can do the same things. He can run the ball. He can throw. He’s smart. He prepares the exact same way Sam does.”
Teams never want to have to lean on a backup quarterback throughout the season, but it’s always a possibility. Saturday presents Clark an opportunity to play one way or another whether Leavitt sits out or the scoreboard gets lopsided.
He made 11 starts at Elon last season and threw for 2,321 yards. Those reps are helpful, but playing with this group of Tigers helps just a bit more.
Clark may be more than just a backup. He could be an offensive threat with his athleticism and quickness.
“I’m happy for (Clark),” Kiffin said. “It’s a good weapon to have, obviously, regardless of Sam’s health.”
