By GLENN GUILBEAU, Tiger Rag Editor
LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt found playing against the Tigers’ defense was more difficult than going against air on Saturday in the team’s first scimmage of the pre-season at Tiger Stadium.
“I thought the first team defense played extremely well, gave the offense a lot of pressure and really good coverage. That was great to see,” LSU coach Lane Kiffin said Monday. The scrimmage was closed from all reporters.
“Obviously, any time in scrimmages, both sides are never going to look really good,” Kiffin continued. “The first offense struggled for a while, then came back and played well later, which is what we hope for.”
Leavitt had been completing passes at a high percentage throughout the media portion of recent practices without contact.
Still, the redshirt junior transfer from Arizona State and first team quarterback moved well and appears to be completely over the foot injury from last season that required surgery, Kiffin said.
“The quarterback being out there every day and being fully healthy has made a big difference,” he said. “He’s moved great. We knew what kind of athlete he was, especially two years ago on film. He moves around great. Got out of a lot of trouble with some great pass rush (in the scrimmage) that came at him and some that come free on Saturday.”
The Tigers scrimmaged for 170 plays on Saturday.
“There were a lot of good things to evaluate,” Kiffin said. “We played for a long time. That was really good to see to get a lot of information on our guys, and half of it being tackling helped us on some evaluations, too.”
Kiffin praised the defense more.
“I think the defensive mentality of the individual players has come together,” he said. “You have a lot of alphas over there that have come from other places and from here and them meshing together.”
MONDAY PRACTICE REPORT
After an off day Sunday, LSU practiced Monday morning. Missing from the workout were running back Harlem Berry, defensive tackle Malik Blocton and edge Jordan Ross.
“They should be fine,” Kiffin said.
Transfer wide receiver Roman Mothershed was seen working at tight end as No. 1 tight end Trey’Dez Green continues to be held out of any contact.
“We held Trey’Dez today – just normal type of decisions,” Kiffin sadi. “Roman’s doing well outside. He’s been playing well for us, making big plays.
Defensive assistant coach Ed Orgeron was also held out of practice.
“He wasn’t feeling real well. We sent him home,” Kiffin said. “We expect him back soon. You can imagine what that conversation was like.”
Kiffin was asked about the status of redshirt freshman defensive end Damian Shanklin, who has not practiced at all this month.
“I do not have an upate on that, and I cannot comment on that,” Kiffin said.
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