http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/34563439.html
* By RANDY ROSETTA
* Advocate sportswriter
* Published: Nov 17, 2008 – UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.
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Throughout the rollercoaster ride his 2008 season has become, LSU freshman Jarrett Lee has been unflappable, both on the field and off.
In dealing with the media, the rookie quarterback has shown little emotion and been almost robotic in his answers to questions that have gotten progressively tougher as the Texan has racked up one interception after another — seven returned for touchdowns.
On the field, Lee hasn’t seemed fazed by mistakes, and even his successes have triggered little more than a mild fist pump.
He also shrugged off the vitriol of LSU fans that has gained momentum with losses to Georgia and Alabama, at least publicly. On Saturday night Lee was booed when he was introduced during the pregame and also heard some grumbling on a handful of misthrown passes.
Worse, he drew a derisive cheer or two when he threw a ball away instead of to a Troy defender.
Because of the even-keeled nature that has been his nature, it was surprising to see Lee show emotion several times Saturday during the 18th-ranked Tigers come-from-behind 40-31 triumph against the Trojans.
* Before LSU’s rally got started, Lee overthrew Terrance Toliver on a fourth-and-four play. Toliver had lined up left and run and skinny post and was wide open. Lee rushed the throw and zinged it 15 yards over Toliver’s head. As soon as he uncorked the throw, Lee punched at the air in front of him and put both hands to his helmet in disgust.
* On the Tigers’ next offensive series, Lee got in a groove and connected on 4-of-7 throws for 40 yards to fuel LSU’s best drive of the night. When the Tigers got to the 3-yard-line but stalled and faced fourth down, freshman backup Jordan Jefferson trotted on. Jefferson took a shotgun snap and raced to the end zone on a bootleg run, scoring a touchdown that began the comeback. As Jefferson sprinted off the field after his first career TD, Lee was the first to greet him with a chest bump.
* As the LSU rally unfolded and the thinned-out Tiger Stadium crowd got revved up, Lee turned to the student section several times and waved his arms, imploring them to make as much noise as they could.
“They play with emotion,” LSU coach Les Miles said, referring to quarterbacks, but specifically about Lee. “It’s a poise, it’s intellectual, it’s cut throat do the right thing. You have to make quick decisions and you’re part of a team.
“There’s a lot of pressure in that position and I’m glad he allowed himself to respond a little bit. That’s what you play the games for.”
2theadvocate.com
11/17/08
