Two weeks ago LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt couldn’t run. He didn’t run last week.
Those are different circumstances, but both resulted in strong passing performances from the pocket against Texas A&M and McNeese.
Leavitt’s tender hamstring has had two weeks of rest and treatment, and the junior transfer from Arizona State feels he’s ready to run if necessary on Saturday against Kentucky.
“It’s feeling really good,” Leavitt said of his hamstring. “I’ll be 100% by Saturday. It was just a super light hamstring thing, and got it back really good for the game, and I just didn’t really have to run around.”
Leavitt completed 76% of his throws against Texas A&M and McNeese after he was just a 61% passer in the first three weeks against Clemson, Louisiana Tech and Ole Miss. In those three games, Leavitt relied on his legs to produce 198 yards and six scores.
Over the last two weeks, he’s only run five times.
Kentucky awaits with a defense that’s struggled to contain scrambling quarterbacks.
Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed got loose for 80 yards and a touchdown against the Wildcats. LaNorris Sellers of South Carolina went nuts a week ago with 147 yards on 17 carries including a 74-yard scamper.
“He’s almost impossible to bring down,” Kentucky head coach Will Stein said of Sellers. “We practiced tackling the thigh boards in practice, and not tackling high. We got in position to get him down, and we decided to tackle him high and he broke tackles. He’s a freak show.”
Leavitt isn’t quite the “freak show” Sellers is, but he’s capable if healthy. The hope for LSU is that Leavitt can finally marry his newfound patience and accuracy from the pocket with his running ability.
Leavitt feels he can be balanced.
“I take the run when it needs to be there, and obviously I’m (a) pass-first mindset,” Leavitt said. “So, I wasn’t really able to run around the last two weeks, so (running) wasn’t an option. This next week, I’m sure it’ll be 100%. So, it’s going to be a great test for me to see how it works.”
Linebackers are often tasked with handling quarterback runs. They can spy an athletic passer and chase them sideline to sideline. Kentucky listed three linebackers as “out” on Wednesday’s injury report with Alex Afari Jr., Antwan Smith and Tavion Wallace all expected to miss the game.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s thin,” Stein said of his linebacker group. “There’s no doubt about it…It’s scary. We’re practicing with other people, guys that are down the line, because there’s really nobody left. We’ve got to find a way.”
A healthy Leavitt could unlock a new look for LSU’s offense looking to keep up with the Tigers’ defense that has smothered opponents.
Kentucky will have eyes on No. 10 (Leavitt) trying to make sure he doesn’t extend plays and drives like others have this fall.
“Sam Leavitt can run,” Klein said. “(Oklahoma quarterback) John Mateer, next one (one the schedule), can run. They can all run. So, you’ve got to be able to contain these guys. It’s not like there’s giant explosive runs from running backs right now. It’s literally quarterback scrambles. And so, that has to improve, and we know that. We’re aware of that.”
