Jefferson makes return to football field after suspension

Jordan Jefferson must love his critics.

Amid a smattering of boos throughout Tiger Stadium, No. 9 stepped on the field for the first time this season on a fourth and goal situation at the Kentucky one-yard line and took care of business.

The senior quarterback ran the ball in to put No. 1 LSU ahead, 7-0, against Kentucky, a lead the Tigers would never give up.

While it was only one yard, the run was a giant step for a quarterback that was pegged as the starter prior to the season and his offseason criminal trouble following the Shady's incident in late August.

Many players said Jefferson didn't miss a beat while he was suspended from the team.

"He's already been in the playbook every day and throwing everyday," said freshman wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. "He's been wanting to be back and be part of this team again, and now he is."

Jefferson finished the game with four rushes for 29 yards, which included two 12-yard quarterback keepers and a touchdown.

The team was quick to dispel any notions that Jefferson's return to the team would cause complications.

"It's been five years now [for Lee]," said senior offensive guard Will Blackwell. "There's nothing we haven't really seen. We're excited and Jordan and Jarrett are going to lead us to where we want to go."

The Tigers were unanimously unhappy with the crowd's reaction to Jefferson taking the field.

"I'm very disappointed in the boos," Blackwell said. "It doesn't really matter who's in there at quarterback for us. I don't think it's good for our program or good for our school."

Senior offensive guard T-Bob Hebert didn't play against Kentucky, but he took to Twitter to talk about the crowd.

"Anybody who booed [Jefferson] today needs to stop watching #LSU games and stop cheering for the tigers, we don't need you and don't want you," he tweeted.

Hebert later thanked the supportive fans, which he said were the majority.

LSU coach Les Miles said he didn't talk to Jefferson following the boos.

"He certainly understands the position he's in," Miles said. "He's taken defensive ends on and linebackers on, and I suspect he can handle 2,500 fans that are a little disposed to bemoan a guy that's busting his tail to do everything he can do for LSU."

Senior quarterback Jarrett Lee has had Tiger Stadium crowds send boos his way during his tumultuous freshman campaign.

"I've been in that position before," he said. "We've got some dedicated fans and sometimes that happens. But you've got to shrug it off and I thought he did a good job."

Lee played his least statistically attractive game of the season.

He was 8-of-21 passing for 169 yards and a touchdown, but Miles showed his confidence in the senior by subbing him in for Jefferson on a third-and-six situation in the fourth quarter.

Miles said the way the Tigers used Jefferson was specific to the Kentucky game plan.

"There's an opportunity to use him in a variety of ways," Miles said. "I can tell you this: Jarrett Lee is our starting quarterback."

Blackwell said having Jefferson back will provide more competition for Lee, rather than become a distraction.

"Jordan Jefferson was here last year and we went 11-2," Blackwell said. "Jarrett Lee was here too. I think they're just going to compete and it's going to make both of them better."

Some players said Jefferson's return gave the team an energy boost.

"He was excited to be back," Lee said. "He was ready to get on the field. He was being really vocal. He was getting us excited and that's how Jordan is."

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Contact Albert Burford at aburford@lsureveille.com