Ta'amu's JUCO coach confident in former QB's ability to replace Patterson

OXFORD | Joe Forchtner sat on a bus traveling from Texas to New Mexico and watched his former star quarterback conduct a two-minute drill several states away.

The New Mexico Military head coach led his team to a 17-14 win over Tyler Junior College earlier in the day, but his mind shifted later, as he saw Ole Miss’ Jordan Ta’amu thrust into a difficult situation during LSU’s 40-24 win over the Rebels (3-4) on Saturday.

Shea Patterson suffered what seemed to be a non-contact injury while back-pedaling after a pass during the second quarter. The high-profile quarterback had an MRI following the game, and 247's David Johnson was the first to report that Patterson suffered a torn PCL in his right knee and will miss the remainder of the season.

Ta’amu, who had appeared in two games but hadn’t thrown a pass, directed a 10-play, 66-yard drive that took 1 minute, 17 seconds and ended with a field goal to pull the Rebels within a touchdown at intermission.

[Related: LSU runs past Rebels in Oxford]

Patterson returned, albeit with pain and without his normally high level of effectiveness, before Ta’amu got one more shot on Ole Miss’ final possession of the game. He conducted a 9-play, 66-yard drive, finishing with a touchdown run by D’Vaughn Pennamon.

Patterson averaged 357 yards passing per game before Saturday but was only 10-of-23 for 116 yards and three interceptions.

Forchtner, who watched Ta’amu pile up 3,000 passing yards and 39 total touchdowns last season at the junior college, didn’t see the second half possession, but he saw enough to notice the same Ta’amu he expected.

“He’s a natural leader and other players gravitate to him,” Forchtner said about the plays in the first half. “Jordan is a player and can handle the spotlight. I’d take him as my quarterback at any school in the country.”

Suddenly in a starting role now, the Rebels were happy with the first-year player’s poise.

Ta’amu was 7-for-11 for 78 yards and added 20 yards on three carries. The final drive was signature mop-up as far as situation, but LSU had starters in, and Ed Orgeron was trying to keep that final score off the board.

“I’m very confident (in Ta'amu moving forward),” Luke said. “He showed some flashes tonight and did some things with his legs. I was impressed with him throwing the ball tonight. He led us on two scoring drives and that gave him some valuable experience.”

Tight end Dawson Knox, who led Ole Miss with 72 yards receiving and converted all five targets into catches, including a two-point conversion grab, said Ta’amu had perhaps his best week of practice this season.

“That was a pleasant surprise,” Knox said about Ta’amu’s command of the offense. “He’s put in the work and he showed tonight he can get it done. I’m confident in whatever quarterback we have in.”

Forchtner wasn’t one of the surprised ones. He believes his former pupil can take up any slack created by Patterson's absence.

“He’s always watching film and working to get better,” Forchtner said. “Maturity was never an issue with him. He puts in the work, was confident on and off the field and he’ll make good decisions.”