I still disagree that it was foolish. It was early in the game and the guy was wide open. You have to take those opportunities. The coaches comments in todays Advocate seem to indicate that Jackson was doing what he was coached to do. The most surprising play of the game came on LSU's first offensive possession of the season -- of the Les Miles era, for that matter. Jackson, standing in his end zone in punt formation, threw a pass to Ronnie Prude for 12 yards and a first down at the 22. Miles said the play is part of a philosophy that allows the punter to take advantage if the defense leaves LSU's gunners -- players who streak downfield to try to quickly tackle the punt returner -- unguarded. "There is some flexibility in the call, and a number of ways to go," Miles said, trying not to be too forthcoming about the way the play unfolded. "A lot of it depends on how wide open it is. "In this particular event, you had a completely uncovered guy. You didn't have anybody coming over late; he was uncovered. If you don't take those opportunities, you'll find yourself behind the eight ball in the strategy of the game." Opposing teams, Miles said, challenge you to make that call when you're punting from your end zone. "Chris is a very competent thrower, and with some skill at the gunners, it is a viable option for us," Miles said. "It was based on what the defense gave us." Jackson, who played quarterback at John Curtis Christian School in River Ridge, is also a third baseman for Smoke Laval and the LSU baseball team. LSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher laughed at the notion that he has a renewed quarterback controversy on his hands after seeing Jackson complete that pass. Fisher said he hasn't worked with Jackson on his passing technique in practice since he arrived at LSU. "Chris was a heck of a quarterback in high school, and he won championships," Fisher said. "He just did it. He just got it done. He's a heck of an athlete. "I think Smoke had more to do with that than I did. Chris has been over there throwing baseballs." Peveto said the fake punt was appropriate for Arizona State's alignment. "If they line up 10 in the box, like they did, we have options to go to," he said. "Throwing the ball out there to the uncovered gunner is one of those options."
How does the D being important have anything at all to do with how much coaching went into special teams? Was Dooley son a defesnive coach? Has Beamer's habit of dwelling on special teams at Va Tech over the year's hurt their defense? Was the reason Saban's defense sucked his first 2 and a half seasons because he was focusing on special teams to much? Also, anyone remember LSU faking a punt from our own 30 or so vs Tenn. in the SEC Championship game on our first possession and not making it?
Really, guess we need to average over 60 yards a punt and all of the KO's need to land in the stands.
Well, Special Teams play is a known Tennessee weakness! The Volunteers have one of the poorest special teams groups in the conference, and are mediocre on their best day. I'm counting on special teams play to pull this game out for LSU in front of a National audience. Until our defense gels under their new DC, special teams play will continue to save LSU. I would not be surprised to see LSU's defense pasted again for mucho passing yardage. I say "Rock on LSU Special Teams" & go Skyler Green, bust 'em for some BIG returns
Looking at some of the college games, it looks like it's the year of special teams. So many games have determined by special teams play. There was one game where a kicker got 6/6 on his FG's and PAT's, and in the same week, another was about 4/5 or 5/6 (I forgets). And let's remember the role ST played in the Miami/FS game. SEC schools in general have seemed to lack quality ST in the past few years. This may be one of the killer arms of LSU. And credit goes to Miles for really working this part of the team.
