| Like the team as a whole, Sparky struggled through the strange 2005 season, losing the starting job towards the end of the season to Scooter Elliott. Actually, Lester threw more passes, had more attempts, completions, and yardage than he had in 2004, but his completion percentage declined drastically, he threw more interceptions (up to 12 from 9), and his QB
efficiency rating fell from a sterling 152.51 to 110.55.
Lester seems to have won the QB job back in the spring but interceptions may still be an issue as he threw 2 in the spring game while leading the Green team to a 21-21 tie with the White squad. Other than the INT's, the big senior had a good day in the spring game, passing for 16 completions in 26 attempts, while passing for 170 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The undoubted incumbent going into 2005 after an outstanding sophomore season in 2004, Lester is an all-conference or all-american calibre quarterback and bids fair to be Tulane's third consecutive quarterback taken in the first round of the NFL draft when he completes his eligibility.
Known since childhood as Sparky.
Won the quarterback competition in August 2004 over Nick Cannon and Richard Irvin.
Started the first 9 games before breaking his wrist in the Army game.
Had a rocky start in 2004, not uncommon for a brand new starter, especially one seeing his first collegiate action. Actually shared the quarterback job with Richard Irvn early in the season.
After the first three games Lester's stat line showed an unimpressive 34 completions in 62 attempts for 364 yards. His touchdown-to- interception ratio was only 4 TD's to 5 INT's. But over the next 6 games, Lester got it going and completed 109 of 169
attempts for 1,517 yards and 17 touchdowns, with only 4 interceptions.
Among the highlights of the season were some exceptionally brilliant performances:
Navy - 18-of-19 for 323 yards and 4 touchdowns - including completions on each of his final 14 passes.
UAB - 36-of-49 for 417 yards and 6 touchdowns - completing 18-of-21 passes in the second half for 199 yards and three touchdowns and with a string of 10 straight completions from his last pass of the first half to the eight-minute mark of the fourth quarter. On Tulane's game-winning drive, he completed seven-of-eight passes for 67 yards, including six straight completions to end the game.
Army - 13-of-18 for 227 yards and 2
touchdowns.
Transferred from LSU during pre-season camp in 2003 and sat out that season. Had redshirted during the 2002 season.
Signed with LSU out of high school, after playing his high school ball at Amite High School. | 
