Seniors Jefferson, Lee embrace Miles’ two-quarterback system

An old football adage says if a team plays two quarterbacks, then it doesn't have one it can rely on.

But according to LSU players, that doesn't apply to the Tigers' two senior quarterbacks. Players have continually pledged their allegiance to both quarterbacks as the LSU offense has turned back toward the two-quarterback system it ran in 2010.

Jordan Jefferson has seen an increase in snaps in every game since his reinstatement before the matchup against Kentucky. Jefferson received seven snaps against the Wildcats, 15 against Florida the following week and 29 snaps — 42 percent of the plays — against Tennessee on Saturday.

"The diversity of attack with both quarterbacks is what we want," said LSU coach Les Miles. "That certainly will give defensive coordinators issues as they prepare calls and formation attacks. ... I think it should continue."

To this point, Jefferson's action has primarily come in the running game. Of the 51 snaps he received, Jefferson only attempted seven passes — completing four for 69 yards — and carried the ball 22 times.

Jefferson ran the ball 14 times against Tennessee for 73 yards and has racked up 109 rushing yards this season. Junior wide receiver Russell Shepard said he noticed a difference in defenses when Jefferson enters the game.

"They expect run," Shepard said. "We want them to start doing that. Jordan's one of the premier passers in the [Southeastern Conference]. He has a very talented and live arm. So if they continue to do that, we'll go to our other phase, and that's to let him sling it."

Miles said Jefferson brings a combination of size and speed to the running game and possesses the elusiveness of a running back, but Miles doesn't consider him a run-first quarterback.

Jarrett Lee said he and Jefferson bring different skill sets to the position and added the coaches have done well at substituting the two. Miles continues to substitute the two quarterbacks based on feel rather than scheduling snaps.

"Both guys give strengths, and at some point in time you're going to want to expose the strengths of whichever guy is on the field," Miles said. "As long as it's a perceived strength, I don't think you can be wrong putting a guy in the game."

Shepard said the entire team has grown accustomed to the revolving door at the quarterback position — including Jefferson.

"A month ago we thought Jordan would probably be in jail," Shepard said. "He can move on like nothing's happened, and he's still happy even though he's splitting reps with another quarterback."

Lee remains the starting quarterback and has completed 62.2 percent of his passes while throwing for 11 touchdowns and just one interception. He admitted that even though he and his teammates have grown tired of the constant media attention the two-quarterback system receives, he continues to do what the coaches ask of him.

"We're fine with it," Lee said. "We have a goal that we want to get to at the end of the year. We're moving the ball, we're putting points on the board and we're winning ball games, so we're happy with that."

Shepard said Lee has matured since his freshman season — when he threw 16 interceptions — and his acceptance of the two-quarterback system shows a lot about his character.

"When you have somebody on the field like that, somebody you know has been through all that and can still step in and be a leader for us, it's amazing for this team," Shepard said.

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Contact Hunter Paniagua at hpaniagua@lsureveille.com