LSU

LSU aware of what McNeese almost did at Nebraska

Glenn Guilbeau

BATON ROUGE – After No. 13 LSU opens the season Saturday night at 6:30 against Football Championship Subdivision, second level McNeese State, it immediately enters Southeastern Conference play against Mississippi State and Auburn over the next two weeks.

Both State and Auburn beat LSU last year. So LSU coach Les Miles was asked if he would be “saving plays” in the McNeese game for his second and third games of the season. He did not take the bait.

“I just want you to know that we’re not in a position where we’re talking about saving plays,” Miles said. “We want our offense, defense, special teams to play well, and we want to do the things that we’ve practiced. Our guys, they deserve to have our best stuff called as opposed to – for some unknown reason – to call less than a capable game. Doesn’t make any sense to me.”

McNeese is ranked 23rd in the FCS coaches’ preseason poll and nearly pulled a major upset at No. 19 Nebraska last season. The Cornhuskers won on a 58-yard touchdown catch by Ameer Abdullah, who caught a short pass and broke five tackles on his way to the touchdown with under 30 seconds to play for the 31-24 win.

“They played Nebraska off their feet. If it wasn’t for a great play late in the game, they had Nebraska at Nebraska,” Miles said.

“That definitely caught all of our attention going into their place and playing like that,” LSU offensive tackle Vadal Alexander said. “So we’re definitely aware of what they can do. And we definitely don’t want anything crazy happening. We want to go in there, execute, have a good game and come out with a W.”

HARRIS NOT SURPRISED: When Miles told Brandon Harris last week that he would be the starting quarterback for the season opener on Saturday, the sophomore from Bossier City took it in stride. After all, he had been taking most of the first team snaps since practice began on August 6 over junior Anthony Jennings, who started 12 of 13 games last season.

“It’s not like Brandon was excited or Anthony was down,” LSU wide receiver Malachi Dupre said. “It wasn’t like a huge surprise or anything when c

oach Miles said it. I feel like he’s prepared. All summer, he was working with us in 7-on-7 drills while Anthony was away (suspended). He feels that all his hard work has paid off. And I will say that he’s come a long way. The coaches thought it was necessary for him to get the start. I know he’s improved enough and has done everything they’ve asked him to do. So, he’s earned the job, and I think he’s ready to play.”

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “We’re ready to play against somebody else instead of banging on each other. We’re ready for the season to start.”

— LSU tailback Leonard Fournette.