The dismissal of the popular "Honey Badger" from the LSU program highlighted all news out of Tiger Town over the weekend, but Les Miles' squad did have their first pre-season scrimmage on Saturday.

The season is still a promising one for LSU despite the end of the Tyrann Mathieu era.

The scrimmage, scheduled for Tiger Stadium, was moved inside to the indoor practice facility. Both offense and defense received plenty of snaps, but so did the kicking game.

Some post-scrimmage notes:

True freshman Jalen Mills received first team snaps at cornerback opposite starter Tharold Simon. Redshirt freshman corner Jalen Collins, expected to have first crack at replacing Mathieu, did not practice.

Breaux Bridge High true freshman, Kavahra Holmes, has been moved to cornerback to help with the depth issue at the position. Holmes could still receive work on offense at receiver, a spot where he could have received some playing time this season.

With the move of receiver Holmes to corner, running back Terrance Magee has been getting reps at receiver. It could be a permanent move, as the depth of the offensive backfield is as solid as anywhere in the country.

Starting offensive tackles Alex Hurst and Chris Faulk, and starting safeties Eric Reid and Craig Loston were held out of the scrimmage. Missing starters is not ideal, but the staff knows what the quartet can do. Plus, it builds depth and helps in position versatility.

The LSU coverage units will be spectacular as usual. Running back Alfred Blue is the best special teams player on the squad. NFL scouts like him as a running back and love him as a special teamer.

The kicking specialists all return and are expected to be great again. Punter Brad Wing and kickoff specialist James Hairston create negative field position for Tiger opponents. Place kicker Drew Alleman is as accurate as they come. All have been solid in pre-season camp.

With the exception of one ball, quarterback Zach Mettenberger was very good on Saturday. Word coming out of the scrimmage is that the position has little questions surrounding it, unlike this time last year. Tiger coaches are preparing backups Stephen Rivers and Rob Bolden on an accelerated pace should something happen to Mettenberger.

Wide receiver Jarvis Landry, who is expected to see significant playing time on offense as a true sophomore, also did not participate in the scrimmage.