Sugar and Miracles, 2000-2002 by Scott Rabalais

Yes & No....to my line of thought had Randall not been intentionally injured versus Texas? LSU wins and wins big thus Randall becomes a national frigure in one game albiet a big game. (2003 Cotton Bowl) Face it! This happens all the time. Hell the media never watches LSU and rarely anyone outside of Ohio State, Notre Dame or USCwest. Randall was victimized by Texas whose reputation goes back to 1969 with LSU and a handshake agreement with Charlie McClendon in which Texas + the Cotton Bowl committee renigged on a agreement with Louisiana State.

 

I felt that Randall was sorely out of place as a QB and was there out of necessity (ie--Saban didn't have any other QBs on the roster.) Randall had great legs and probably would've made a good TE, but he played where he was needed.

 

Well, I'll say this for Marcus Randall, he did something Jamarcus Russell never could, drive his team down the field and put up 6 at Jordan Hare. Jamarcus in 2 games at Auburn couldn't score a TD.

 

I'm not really big on IF's but...

IF Marcus Randall does not get injured in that game and goes on to have the biggest game of his career (which he was on pace at time of injury) in a shootout win over Texas in the Cotton Bowl, does he then become the starter the following year?

Then perhaps, we do not win the National Championship as Mauck had a great season that year and developed into a better passer than Randall would have become. I recall Randall eventually trying to make it as a safety but not sure of the success he had.

 

It's a testament to Randall's athleticism that he ended up in the NFL as a safety. Can't recall to many QB-converted safeties in the NFL...

 

He was a terrific athlete, but a below average QB. It was unfortunate for him that we badly needed a back-up QB when he was here. And unfortunate for us that he had to take over full-time after Mauck was injured.

 

He had potential. p.l.e.n.t.y.

LSU + Marcus Randall + Nick Saban (M. Randall / Sophmore QB 2002) did a pretty darn good job preparing for Texas considering Matt Mauck's foot injury which required major surgery & sidelined Mauck for the remaining 2002 season which severly weakened LSU's 2002 season record... The reason LSU was in a bowlgame with the 1 loss Longhorns was this game: http://www.texassports.com/sports/m-footbl/archive/stats/02/111602.htm

Texas 38
Texas Tech 42
FINAL

 

Please allow me to repeat: Marcus Randall's ankle was fractured by a helmut to ankle hit OOB in the second quarter. He visibly limped off the field at that point. He was unable to run effectively again for the remainder of the bowlgame. This would seem to indicate he was playing injured. He was not effective after this injury & I believe Texas very much desired this to effect Randall's threat to their desire to bring home a victory ... I realize Marcus Randall's carrer was not stable, pretty or pro caliber later on however I sincerely believe with success on a stage as big as this one was in 2003 had he lead LSU to a win his stock in the eyes of NFL scouts would have risen sharply. He was being compared to Michael Vick in the first half before he was hurt and had burned Texas a number of times in the air and on the ground.

PS I know what his stats are + were then.

 

Hmmmm, where have I seen numbers like those, Oh yea, brings new meaning to the made up word "jordanesque"