LSU offense looking for new quarterback

• By SCOTT RABALAIS
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: May 3, 2008 - Page: 1C - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

• Print
• Email
• Save
• Share

• Del.icio.us
• Digg
• Facebook
• Reddit
• 

Scan LSU’s roster on the school’s Web site and you won’t find Ryan Perrilloux’s name there anymore. It had already been expunged Friday, shortly after Les Miles announced he had dismissed the troubled quarterback from the team.

What went with Perrilloux was the lion’s (make that Tiger’s) share of LSU’s experience at quarterback. With one chop of Miles’ disciplinary ax — plus the departure of Matt Flynn to the NFL’s Green Bay Packers — LSU has gone green in a big way behind center.

That may sound environmentally responsible, but the reality is in the hothouse environment that is SEC football it isn’t easy being green.

LSU’s most “experienced” hand is junior Andrew Hatch, a walk-on who transferred from Harvard before last season.

His stat line from 2007: 1 completion, 2 attempts, 9 yards.

At least he wasn’t interception prone.

LSU has two redshirt freshmen — Jarrett Lee and walk-on T.C. McCartney, grandson of former Colorado coach Bill McCartney. There’s another walk-on, sophomore Paul Scioneaux, and true freshman Jordan Jefferson of Destrehan. Jefferson is probably the most highly touted quarterback to come from the River Parishes since …  well, never mind.

With Perrilloux suspended the entire spring, the focus in practice was primarily on Hatch and Lee.

Hatch was generally credited with having the better Spring Game performance, but he’s older than Lee and has been schooled in offensive coordinator Gary Crowton’s offense since he was attending his summer camps as a schoolboy back in Nevada.

Hatch is regarded as more of the runner. Lee has more of a pocket presence and a stronger, more accurate arm.

Who will get the first start on Aug. 30 in the Appalachian State game? How about Perrilloux if he transfers to Appy State? We’re kidding of course, but you never know.

The bet, from an LSU perspective, is to put money on the Nevada kid. Just don’t bet the house.

Miles has hardly ruled out a two-quarterback system and it’s easy to envision one for the Tigers this fall. A little song, a little dance. A little run, a lot of pass. At least for the first three games, all home contests against Appy State, Troy and North Texas leading up to a pivotal first road trip Sept. 20 at Auburn.