by Austin Silvey @SilveyESP
It has become overwhelmingly evident that Trevor Lawrence's play vs Ohio State turned heads to just how good he is. It isn't his ability in throwing the ball that excited people, though, as most already knew he was gifted in that area. But it is his running ability that has stimulated the masses, including the LSU defense.
"First of all, I was watching the game, the Ohio State game some, and saw him run the ball for a 67 yard touchdown, he looked pretty fast, so he's definitely a great all-around player," LSU safety Grant Delpit told the media on a teleconference.
"People don't give him credit for his running ability. So we're definitely going to take that into consideration."
Against the Buckeyes in the Fiesta Bowl Lawrence led the Tigers in rushing with 107 yards on 16 attempts, including a 67-yard touchdown run that was coupled with some nifty moves to make defenders miss.
Lawrence has displayed his ability to get out in the open field and make things happen with his legs before but not on a stage as big as the College Football Playoff. He has not only proven how productive he can be carrying the ball but also how tough he is when he does run it.
The Bayou Bengals haven't always fared well against mobile quarterbacks this year which is why they are fully cognizant of that part of Trevor's game and how important it is that they prepare for it.
"I feel like it's something you just have to be aware of," LSU linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson told the media on Friday night. "I don't feel like we need to adjust it but it's definitely something that you always have to be aware of."
"This quarterback will pull the ball. He will try to make something happen with his legs."
"It doesn't really slow anything down for us. Same gameplan as last week.....I don't feel like we're gonna see a better running quarterback than Jalen Hurts."
"It's just something you always keep in mind, while either rushing the quarterback or you're playing in a zone read, that he can pull the ball. I trust my athleticism that I won't be outran by him but at the end of the day he has deceptive speed. I've watched him play and he's a great athlete. It's just something we've gotta always be aware of."
LSU and Orgeron respect Lawrence's ability to run so much that they have had Jontre Kirklin, a junior wide receiver, run as scout team quarterback in practice to help them prepare for it.
"It just stresses how important this game is gonna be about always keeping that in mind that this quarterback can pull the ball and make explosive plays off of it and don't take it for granted," Chaisson said.
Senior defensive lineman Rashard Lawrence also commented on Trevor when asked what makes him so special, saying, "I look at this past game, they used him as much as they have all year as a runner. And I think they caught Ohio State off-guard and they kinda blindsided them in a way."
"He can throw the ball and also he can get out and run in space; which was pretty interesting to see how fast he was. Breakaway speed."
"He's the real deal."
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