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LSU head coach Les Miles had a once-in-a-lifetime message for the student body during his weekly luncheon Monday.
“If there’s a great kicker in the sound of my voice that goes to school at LSU and has the opportunity to kick a ball from a college tee and a college landmark, into the end zone or with great hangtime, I’d love him to come to the football [operations facility] and take a shot at it,” Miles said.
But with the potential for a “Rudy” moment aside, the coach would obviously rather work with what he already has on his roster, despite their well-documented struggles. Drew Alleman and DJ Howard have split the kickoff duties this season, and they have reached the five-yard line on only three-of-22 kickoffs and the end zone just once.
Alleman, who was LSU’s choice for kickoff duties entering the season, is still feeling the effects of a leg injury that he suffered against Oregon. The coach said the injury has affected his distance but not his accuracy, a statement that appears to be true after he made four-of-four field goals against Mississippi State last week.
“We’re getting his leg back to full strength,” Miles said.
Punter Brad Wing is also recovering from a leg injury, and Miles said the Aussie could be an option for kickoffs when he returns to full health.
Another way the Tigers could go before the walk-on route is true freshman kicker James Hairston, but LSU would have to lift his redshirt to place him in the game.
“[Hairston] is getting a look and he’s getting a look repeatedly,” Miles said. “He’s another guy with a big, strong leg and occasionally knocks it out of the back of the end zone. We’d like to see that happen.”
But the good field position LSU opponents have been enjoying following an LSU kickoff has as much to do with depth as another factor most don’t usually consider.
“When you spray the ball into the backfield there and you’re really trying to cover a specific area, it really throws your coverage off,” Miles said. “We haven’t really been happy [with the kickoff coverage unit]. We’ve had very good kickoff coverage at times and other times we’re very sporadic.”
But whoever is kicking off for the Tigers following their first score in Saturday night’s contest, LSU will be featured on national TV for the third time away from home this season, and Miles said all the national attention LSU has been receiving speaks to the talent of his team.
“Our guys love that environment,” Miles said. “That’ll be fun for us to play in. It’s anther challenge. The good news is we’ve been on the road and understand it. We’re getting to a point where our road character is now established.”
After holding the ‘Neers to 14 points and 177 total yards in Tiger Stadium last year, LSU will face a different offense with offensive mastermind Dana Holgorsen at the helm this time around.
“It’s a much different attack than it was in the past,” Miles said. “They had Noel Devine and a number of guys there that operated it a little different. They still run the football very well. They still throw it extremely well, so as much as it’s different, it’s still very, very productive.”
West Virginia has the No. 7 passing offense in America after three games, averaging 356 passing yards per contest, and starting quarterback Geno Smith has seven touchdowns and one interception in 2011.
As for LSU’s offense, the Tigers get Russell Shepard back from his three-game suspension. Even though Miles was vague about whether Shepard would resume his starting role immediately, he said he doesn’t think it would take much time for Shepard to regain comfort in LSU’s offense.
Freshman Odell Beckham has stepped up nicely in Shepard’s absence, catching 15 balls for 111 yards so far this season.
“Both are very good players and guys that deserve opportunities at touches of the ball. We’re going to make sure that happens. We’ll find a way,” Miles said.
“I don’t think adding a guy like Russell Shepard will upset chemistry in any way.”
On the injury front, Miles said left tackle Chris Faulk “has the great potential to play in this Saturday’s game.” Faulk missed the remainder of the Mississippi State game after injuring his ankle/foot in the first quarter.
LSU will depart for their team hotel in Pittsburgh, Pa. Friday afternoon, and kickoff in Morgantown, W.V. is ABC’s primetime game of the week, set for 7:08 p.m. Saturday.
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