Jefferson: Play calling hurt LSU against Bama
Evidently, Jordan Jefferson wasn’t thrilled with how LSU’s BCS game plan worked out, either.
Interviewed Thursday on WCNN radio in Atlanta, the former LSU quarterback echoed statements made by his former teammates since their 21-0 loss to Alabama on Jan. 9 in the BCS National Championship Game that LSU didn’t use some of the offensive gameplan that it prepared for the showdown with the Crimson Tide.
“I think we should’ve spread them out a little bit more, put the ball in different passing areas, use our talent on the receiving side,” Jefferson said. “We had that in as far as play-calling, we just didn’t get to it.
“We have great guys in those areas and sometimes we just wonder why we don’t use those guys. But we’re not the one calling the plays. We still have to go out and execute what the coaches and coordinators are calling. We can’t complain as players, but sometimes we do question that.”
Jefferson played the entire game against Alabama even though the Tigers offense was stagnant, much to the dismay of LSU fans who wanted to see fellow senior quarterback Jarrett Lee have a chance.
LSU managed just 92 yards total offense, the second-lowest total in BCS championship game history.
“I definitely didn’t expect for it to play (out) like that,” Jefferson said. “Alabama was a little bit more prepared than us. There was a lot of things that we should’ve did different to catch a rhythm on offense. To win a type of game like that, you’ve got to win all three phases – offense, defense and special teams – and we just didn’t get over that hump to winning those phases. We kind of fell short in that game.”
Jefferson said the Tigers studied film of Utah’s gameplan in its 31-17 victory over Alabama in the 2009 Sugar Bowl, but that study didn’t contribute much to what LSU did in the BCS title game.
“We were going to spread out our guys to make sure we’d get them the ball,” Jefferson said “But once we got in the game, it wasn’t how we practiced.”
Jefferson was 11-of-17 passing in the BCS title game for 53 yards and an interception. He also netted 15 yards rushing on 14 carries and was sacked four times.
Lee, who started LSU’s first nine games last season, has said since the championship game that he expected to be part of the game plan and was frustrated that he was not. Lee threw just five passes in the Tigers’ final five games after being relieved by Jefferson midway through LSU’s 9-6 overtime win at Alabama on Nov. 5.
Jefferson was asked about the rumor that Lee refused to go in the BCS championship game at one point but denied that was true.
“They had so many rumors that are not true, it’s unbelievable,” Jefferson said.
LSU coach Les Miles could not be immediately reached for comment.
Jefferson is one of eight LSU players who have been invited to participate in the NFL’s big pre-draft combine, Feb. 22-28 in Indianapolis.
To prepare, Jefferson said he is working with Patrick Peterson Sr., father of the former LSU and current Arizona Cardinals cornerback, with World Class Speed in Boca Raton, Fla., to improve his footwork. Jefferson is also working out with former NFL quarterback Chad Pennington on his passing mechanics.
Now that Jefferson and Lee have passed the quarterbacking baton to rising junior Zach Mettenberger, Jefferson said he expects the Tigers to have another BCS championship contender on the field this fall.
“I definitely expect to see us back in the championship next year, Jefferson said.