Landen Clark did not need a full game against Texas A&M to make his presence felt. He rushed for two touchdowns and 41 yards as LSU beat the Aggies 35 to 6. Now, with the Tigers set to face McNeese tonight in Tiger Stadium, Clark could get a much bigger opportunity.
Whether he starts remains a game day decision. But LSU fans have reason to be excited if No. 11 takes the opening snap. Clark brings speed, starting experience and a proven ability to turn a broken play into a scoring chance.
The threat LSU has already seen
Clark has appeared in all four of LSU’s games. He has rushed 16 times for 83 yards and three touchdowns, adding a rushing score against Louisiana Tech to his two against Texas A&M. When LSU gets close to the goal line, his legs give the defense one more problem to solve.
He can throw it, too. Clark connected with Phillip Wright III for a 30 yard touchdown against Clemson. Through four games, he is 7 of 15 passing for 109 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. Those are limited opportunities, but he has already contributed four touchdowns to LSU’s offense.
Coach Lane Kiffin has seen the same knack for producing plays in practice. “When he goes into games, he really finds a way to make plays,” Kiffin said ahead of McNeese. Kiffin also praised the way Clark has performed in scrimmages.
Elon showed what happens when he runs the whole offense
Clark was a starter before he came to Baton Rouge. At Elon last season, he started all 12 games, threw for 2,321 yards and 18 touchdowns, and rushed for 614 net yards and 11 scores. His 29 combined touchdowns were the second most in a season in Elon history.
He earned Coastal Athletic Association Co-Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and was a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, given to the top freshman in the Football Championship Subdivision. That résumé came from leading an offense week after week, not from a handful of late game appearances.
His best performances showed how difficult he can be to contain. Against Western Carolina, Clark threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns, then added 72 rushing yards and two more scores. A defense that focused on taking away his passing game still had to tackle him in space.
Where Clark can take the next step
Clark’s ability to create plays is clear. The question is how consistently he can deliver from the pocket. He completed 55.96 percent of his passes at Elon and threw eight interceptions in 277 attempts. Even his four touchdown performance against Western Carolina included two interceptions and an 11 for 28 passing line.
At LSU, he went 0 for 5 passing against Texas A&M. Kiffin said some of those throws reached receivers’ hands, so the stat line alone does not tell the full story. Still, Clark has attempted only 15 passes as a Tiger. A start would give him the chance to establish his timing with LSU’s receivers and show how he responds when a defense takes away his first read.
What to look for tonight
Expect Clark’s running ability to matter immediately if he starts. His presence could open room for LSU’s backs, and it gives the Tigers a dangerous option on short yardage plays. The more revealing moments may come on ordinary passing downs: a quick completion to settle in, a throw under pressure, or a deep shot when McNeese commits too many defenders to stopping the run.
Clark has already shown he can enter a game and change its energy. Tonight could be his chance to show he can command it from the first snap.
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