Zach Mettenberger, the senior quarterback for LSU, ended his collegiate career sooner than expected on Friday after suffering a left knee injury in the fourth quarter of the Tigers’ game against Arkansas.
The injury ended one of the greatest runs by an LSU quarterback, as Mettenberger became the first player to throw for 2,500 yards in back-to-back seasons and only the third to pass for over 3,000 yards in a single season.
Mettenberger now ranks third on the LSU all-time passing yardage mark with 3,082 yards for the season with his final completion to Jarvis Landry on Friday against Arkansas.
If he hadn’t had an injury, he most likely would have passed JaMarcus Russdell, who recorded a 3,129-yard pass in 2006. In the bowl game, he may have also surpassed Rohan Davey’s record of 3,347 passing yards, set in 2001.
Zach’s performance disappointed LSU coach Les Miles, who stated as much in a news release on Wednesday. He has been an incredible leader for our team and is the most competitive guy I have ever met. He has made a major improvement to our program.
Mettenberger, of course, began his Bulldog career in Athens, Georgia. His mother Tammy has worked in the Georgia athletics department since 1998. He is a native of Watkinsville, Georgia.
His tenure there was short-lived, though, as he was let go after admitting to sexual assault following an incident that occurred at a club during spring break of his freshman year.
After leading Butler Community College to an 11-1 record and a berth in the JUCO National Championship game in 2010, Mettenberger sought safety at LSU in 2011. He played his sophomore year behind Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee, who were seniors at the time.
In his first eight games as the Tigers’ starting quarterback in 2012, he completed 56.6 percent of his throws for an average of 177 yards per game. His performance was passable but not outstanding.
Mettenberger made his initial impression as one of LSU’s all-time great quarterbacks last season in a 21-17 loss to then-No. 1 Alabama by throwing for 298 yards and a score.
For the young quarterback, who finished the season with four touchdowns and 892 yards on 60% of his passes, the game proved to be a turning point in his career.
With the assistance of offensive coordinator Cam Cameron in his rookie campaign, Mettenberger’s play only improved as he neared his senior year, and he became one of the SEC’s most effective and productive quarterbacks.
Mettenberger dazzled on his return to Georgia, finishing 23 of 37 passes for a career-high 372 yards and three touchdowns.