Daunting challenge awaits LSU quarterback Jefferson

• By RANDY ROSETTA
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Nov 5, 2009 - Page: 1C

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In 10 games as the LSU starting quarterback, Jordan Jefferson has had more ups than downs.

Coming off two of his best games, the Tigers’ 19-year-old quarterback has every reason to be confident.

But Jefferson knows whatever he’s accomplished so far won’t matter in one of the toughest tests yet in his fledgling college career.

Ninth-ranked LSU (7-1, 4-1 Southeastern Conference) takes on No. 3-ranked Alabama (8-0, 5-0) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

That means contending with a Crimson Tide defense orchestrated by one of the top defensive coaches in the country and filled out by a crew of the some of the best players in the land.

While that looms as a daunting challenge, Jefferson said he’s ready for the opportunity, even if that means he has to play close to perfect.

“You have to try to be (perfect),” said Jefferson, who has connected on 32 of 48 passes the past two weeks for 405 yards and four touchdowns. “In these types of games, there won’t be a lot of possessions, so we have to take advantage of being on the field and know that any momentum we can get with the offense is going to have to come quickly.”

Whatever momentum LSU can conjure might have to come from Jefferson and the passing game.

Alabama enters the game allowing only 64.6 rushing yards per game and 2.2 yards per carry.

Last season in a 27-21 overtime loss, the Tigers peppered the Crimson Tide for 201 yards rushing. That was LSU’s season-best in an SEC game, and featured Charles Scott plowing the middle for 92 yards and Keiland Williams attacking the edges for 88 more.

Scott scored on a 30-yard touchdown run, while Williams’ day was anchored by bursts of 25 and 22 yards.

That was then, though. Scott recognizes that might be tough to duplicate this season.

“We’re going to have to grind it out at times and when big plays are there, we’re going to have to make big plays,” he said. “We’re going to have to be almost perfect.”