LSU Tigers vs Texas A&M Aggies: News & Notes

In advance of this Thursday’s contest between the LSU Tigers and Texas A&M Aggies, Tigers’ coach Les Miles met with the media yesterday for the final “Lunch with Les” press conference of the season.

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The following are some highlights from Miles’ presser:

Miles began by wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
On Odell Beckham Jr.’s spectacular catch for the New York Giants in the NFL Monday Night game: “It’s truly Odell Beckham. You I saw him and Jarvis (Landry) do things like that on the practice field all the time. I mean all the time. They finally caught one on camera, I guess. It’s something that we would have expected.”
On other former LSU Tigers: “So I’m really proud of what Zach (Mettenberger) is accomplishing. Threw four 300 yards yesterday. Jarvis Landry scored two touchdowns. Jeremy Hill and Alfred Blue are having great years as runners. It’s nice to look back at those guys.”
On the team: “Now final week of the regular season. Opportunity to win eight games overall, and the opportunity to win a series of 15-straight 8-victory seasons. Certainly the longest streak in school history. It’s something that our football team would enjoy doing. We practiced twice during the open week. Gave them the weekend off and brought them back on Sunday and practiced. Sunday was a Tuesday‑style practice, and there was a lot of energy. Our football team knows how to practice. They’re looking forward to playing a very, very good, very talented Texas A&M team.”
On injuries and the lineup: “On the offensive line we expect Vadal (Alexander) to play; Ethan Pocic will be at center (filling in for the injured Elliott Porter); Evan Washington will be the next at right guard. We would expect that Hoko Fanaika will be the next offensive lineman in the game. So glad that Vadal is back.”
On the quarterbacks: “Quarterback is going to have to play better, but the key is make is the 10 players around you best, and the opportunity to do the things that we do that allows us to win. Both guys are improving. Both guys are coming. I like my quarterbacks. They’re getting better and working hard at it.” When asked later, Miles didn’t say whether (Brandon) Harris would play, other than “I would suggest that he’s improved, that he continues to improve, and I would want to assess this week fully before I commented on that.”
When asked whether LSU is looking at junior college quarterbacks, Miles stated he’s “certain we’re looking at some junior college guys, including quarterback.” For more on this, LSU 247 has a story with additional details.
On the situation at Michigan: “I have given little or no thought to any other jobs. I am so comfortable with my team and doing what I’m doing. I do not read the paper. I certainly respect and love Michigan and wish them the very best.”
Finally, LSU fans may be familiar with Luke Boyd, an active-duty U.S. Marine on the LSU roster. David LaCerte, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, recently sent a letter to Miles asking the coach to give Boyd “a few snaps” in this week’s game. Miles stated “although I was touched by the fact that so many people have championed Luke Boyd’s cause in terms of getting him get on the field and letting him take some snaps. I certainly understand that. But. To travel and have him take one of the spots would be very difficult for us to do this late in the season.” Miles did confirm that the entire team, including Boyd, is traveling to the game.

In other news:

La’El Collins has been invited to play in the 2015 Senior Bowl on January 24th in Mobile, AL
Jermauria Rasco, Terrence Magee, and Kenny Hilliard have been invited to play in the East-West Shrine game on January 17th in St. Petersburg, FL.
Les Miles’ radio show will air tonight at 7:00 pm CT, instead of its usual Wednesday night slot due to the Thanksgiving game this week.

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