By GLENN GUILBEAU, Tiger Rag Editor
Three nights before one of the biggest games in the LSU-Ole Miss football rivalry, and LSU starting quarterback was listed as doubtful with an unspecified injury in coach Lane Kiffin’s availability report to the Southeastern Conference office on Wednesday night.
Leavitt, a redshirt junior transfer from Arizona State who started LSU’s first two games this season, was scheduled for player interviews on Tuesday at LSU, but was not there. No reason was given then by LSU sports information director Michael Bonnette, who had no comment on Wednesday.
No. 7 LSU (2-0) plays at No. 8 Ole Miss (2-0) on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. on ABC in Oxford, Mississippi, in the biggest game of the college football season so far that has been hotly anticipated ever since Kiffin left Ole Miss’ head coaching job after the regular season last year to become LSU’s coach. ESPN’s College GameDay is broadcasting live from Oxford on Saturday morning, leading into the SEC opener for both teams.
The game is the first top 10 pairing by Associated Press rankings in the LSU-Ole Miss series since 1962.
Leavitt did not appear injured through any part of the Tigers’ 45-14 win over Louisiana Tech on Saturday night at Tiger Stadium. He completed 25 of 38 passes for 344 yards and a touchdown after throwing three interceptions in the second quarter. Leavitt also rushed 11 times for 22 yards and three touchdowns. In the opener against No. 23 Clemson on Sept. 5, Leavitt rushed 12 times for 113 yards and two touchdowns while completing 16 of 28 passes for 230 yards and a touchdown with an interception in a 51-10 win.
The SEC named Leavitt the offensive player of the week after the Clemson game.
Leavitt missed most of LSU’s spring practices last March and April as he recovered from surgery on his right foot from an injury suffered last season at Arizona State. He showed no signs of any issues with his foot through two games this season.
Kiffin has his weekly coach’s radio show on Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. SEC coaches are expected to update their availability reports to the SEC office on Thursdays and Fridays before league games.
Starting linebacker TJ Dottery, a transfer from Ole Miss, was listed as questionable with an injury in the same SEC availability report. Dottery led LSU with nine tackles in the win over Tech on Saturday and forced two fumbles with a quarterback hurry. He also showed no signs of an injury in that game.
Also questionable is backup linebacker Tylen Singleton. Listed as probable are starting tight end Trey’Dez Green and starting linebacker Whit Weeks. Backup wide receiver Phillip Wright III is listed as “out” for the game.
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