Lane Kiffin Leaves Door Open For Landen Clark To Start Saturday

LSU could give backup quarterback Landen Clark an expanded role Saturday when the Tigers host McNeese State at Tiger Stadium.

With LSU facing McNeese this weekend and starter Sam Leavitt dealing with a hamstring injury, Lane Kiffin was asked Monday if Clark could get the start on Saturday.

“Oh, I don’t know,” Kiffin said.

While Kiffin didn't reveal LSU's plans at quarterback, he praised Clark and the development he's shown this season.

“Landon’s done a great job when he goes into games,” Kiffin said. “He really finds a way to make plays.”

Kiffin even joked about Clark's unusual passing stat line, with several throws that could have gone for completions or touchdowns not showing up in the box score.

“You’ve got to be the first quarterback in the history of football to actually throw two touchdowns that are in guys’ hands, throw another completion in the game, and somehow be 0-for-5,” Kiffin said. “So that’s hard to do.”

Kiffin said Clark has shown the same playmaking ability behind the scenes, including when he worked as the scout-team quarterback during LSU's preparation for Clemson.

“He really performs really well,” Kiffin said. “He was our third quarterback for the mock game. He had to go be the Clemson quarterback in the stadium and ran around all day long and made some plays against our first defense.”

Clark has also reminded Kiffin of Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and his ability to make unexpected plays happen during scrimmages and games.

“He really does a good job in practice,” Kiffin said. “I’m not saying he’s Trinidad, but in the same way, he has some of that ‘Trinidad Magic.’ Whenever he went into scrimmages, all of a sudden these things happen, or in the games. And Landon has done the same thing.”

Whether Clark starts or simply sees an increased role Saturday remains to be seen, but Kiffin made it clear that he views the backup quarterback as another weapon for LSU's offense.

“So I’m happy for him, and it’s a good weapon to have, obviously, regardless of Sam’s health,” Kiffin said.