A Star Born in Atlanta - Again?

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Jordan Jefferson becomes the latest LSU quarterback to have his coming out party in the Georgia Dome.

by Matt Moscona
Special to Tiger Rag

Perhaps LSU should petition the Georgia Dome executives to make it official and name the field at the stadium “The Breeding Ground.” After all, no field has seen the instant, unexpected development of LSU quarterbacks in the last decade more than this one.

That trend continued when freshman Jordan Jefferson became the latest Tiger signal caller to add his name to that rapidly growing list by leading LSU to a 38-3 thumping of No. 14 Georgia Tech.

In fact, the last two quarterbacks to lead LSU to the national championship are on the list. Matt Mauck subbed for an injured Rohan Davey in the 2001 SEC Championship game here to pace LSU to an upset win over No. 2 Tennessee. Matt Flynn made his first career start replacing an injured JaMarcus Russell in the 40-3 drubbing of Miami in the 2005 Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl. As for Davey, he burst on the scene at The Breeding Ground in 2000 when he rallied the Tigers for a Peach Bowl victory over Georgia Tech.

Which brings us to Jefferson. Looking more like the other seasoned veterans on this list and less like a true freshman making his second career start, the Destrehan High product made his presence felt from the onset. Jefferson paced LSU with a methodical mix of run and pass leading the Tigers on a seven play scoring drive to open the game. Jefferson connected on all three of his pass attempts which all went for first down yardage.

“It was very exciting,” Jefferson said. “My adrenaline was pumping. I just wanted to put points up on the board.”

There would be plenty more points to come for the Tigers on this night, and an equal amount of poise demonstrated by Jefferson.

While his stats may not be mind boggling – 16 of 25 for 142 yards and a score – it was still a record setting day for the thoroughbred LSU offense and Jefferson was its jockey. Its 35 point first half is the most productive half for an LSU offense in a bowl game since the Davey-led route over Illinois in the 2002 Sugar Bowl produced 34 first half points. LSU also set a Chick-Fil-A Bowl record with 28 points in the second quarter. In fact, it was not until the second quarter that Jefferson threw his first incomplete pass after starting the game a perfect nine for nine.

“From day one I had to become a leader in order to be on the field,” said Jefferson. “Even though the guys are a lot older than me, I had to find a way to become a leader.”

An MVP performance on the field is a good way to start earning that respect. And Jefferson’s teammates took notice.

“I’m so proud of Jordan and the way he stepped up,” said tight end Richard Dickson who was Jefferson’s favorite target with a team high 50 yards and four receptions. Dickson also caught the only touchdown pass of the night on a 25 yarder which pushed the LSU lead to 28-3 in the second quarter.

Speedster Trindon Holliday offered a prediction that most LSU fans will probably agree with. “He’s young but he didn’t play like it. I think we found ourselves a quarterback.”

Let the debate begin. Jefferson’s performance on The Breeding Ground coupled with the 30 point offensive output at Arkansas in the season finale might be the strongest case for him to begin spring practice taking reps with the first offense.

On the other hand, Jarrett Lee has eight starts under his belt, tossed 14 touchdown passes and likely would have set the LSU freshman passing record had he not suffered an ankle injury against Ole Miss. The most glaring advantage for Jefferson is the stat which has made some in Tigertown opine that Lee would be better off transferring than ending his career on the bench in Baton Rouge—interceptions. Lee threw 16 balls to the wrong jersey with seven of those going for scores the other way. Jefferson has thrown just one pick in 73 attempts. And we have not even mentioned Russell Sheppard, the nation’s top quarterback prospect who will be on campus in Baton Rouge later this month.

When asked if he would comment on the likelihood of Jefferson being the starter at the beginning of the 2009 season, Les Miles said, “I think he certainly made a strong point.”

It was more like an exclamation point to punctuate a disappointing season for the defending national champions. Thanks to a much needed trip to The Breeding Ground, there is certainly reason for optimism in 2009.