You can add former LSU tight end Deangelo Peterson to those who are still scratching their heads about the Tigers’ offensive performance in the 21-0 loss to Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game.
LSU had fewer than 100 yards total offense, made just five first downs, and crossed midfield just once in the title game Jan. 9 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Reporters and fans alike have wondered why LSU coach Les Miles didn’t give quarterback Jarrett Lee a chance to play in place of Jordan Jefferson, who was playing poorly. Lee started the first nine games of the season and was a key contributor until giving way to Jefferson down the stretch.
Wide receiver Russell Shepard tweeted his disappointment at playing just three snaps and seemed to say he was headed to the NFL before being talked into staying for his senior season by Miles.
Now Peterson is telling reporters at practices for the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., that LSU essentially abandoned the game plan it had prepared and practiced for weeks leading up to the game.
“The game plan that we had,” Peterson said, “that we were working on in the weeks before the game and everything, I don’t think we used it.”
He didn’t offer many specifics, but Peterson did say “we didn’t have a chance to put the ball in our playmakers’ hands to do something,”
Peterson is one of three former Tigers on the South team at the Senior Bowl. The others are guard Will Blackwell and safety Brandon Taylor.
“We might call a couple of plays that we worked on, but as for the whole game plan I don’t think we used it,” Peterson said. “I just think the playmakers on offense, they didn’t really have a chance to make no plays. That’s the big thing that bothers me. I feel like I could have done more to help the team move the ball, Russell Shepard feels the same way, (wide receiver) Rueben Randle feels the same way, our other receivers feel the same way. That’s the main thing, that we didn’t have the opportunity.”
Meanwhile, Blackwell was the latest in a series of people on or close to the team to deny rumors of pre-game altercations in the locker room.
“It is totally fictional.” Blackwell said.
I feel bad for the players, who had worked so hard to get to the place where they had won 13 straight games and the chance to win the BCS. Miles made some stupid choices during the game, I believe Lee could have helped, dig them out of the hole they were in. Lee is the much better passer of the two and Miles should have gave him, the chance to try and move the ball and get that old fire ignited in the TIGERS.