Archive for the ‘Sports’ Category

The LSU Tigers traveled almost 2,600 miles, across nine states and two time zones, to meet up with the University of Washington Huskies for college football’s season opening weekend. Traveling with almost 10,000 fans, this game was one of firsts for both teams. LSU debuted true sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson coming off a stellar performance in last season’s bowl game and for the first time will be donning ‘LSU’ on the chest of their jersey. The Huskies are playing under the leadership of a new head coach as well as celebrating the return of legendary quarterback Jake Locker fresh from injury.

In the first half, the Huskies kept up with the Tigers. In the first score of the game, the Huskies quarterback Locker connected with receiver James Johnson after a 51-yard run by Johri Fogerson. Soon after, LSU put up three points on the board after a 62-yard drive, making the score 7-3. On the very next play, LSU linebacker Jacob Cutera tipped the ball in the air to make a beautiful interception and 29 yard run for LSU’s first touchdown, making the score 10-7. Opening the second quarter, Huskies kicker Erik Folk tied the game 10-10 with a 34-yard field goal after an unsuccessful drive. In the next possession, the Huskies had two consecutive personal fouls which gave LSU an additional 30 yards and a first down. However, during the next play LSU legendary player Charles Scott had his first ever forced fumble, returning the ball to the Huskies’ possession. LSU’s first drive touchdown came late in the half after Jefferson connected with Terrance Toliver for a career long touchdown pass of 45 yards. The Huskies next possession ended in a 37-yard field goal after a 46-yard pass to Devin Aguilar. This ended the half with LSU in the lead 17-13.

At the beginning of the second half, LSU entered with another touchdown play from Jefferson and Toliver. Leading at 24-13, LSU continued to put up points for the remainder of the quarter. The Huskies put up a 32-yard field goal, but LSU immediately answered with yet another touchdown reception by Toliver. This put the Tigers in the lead 31-16 with a minute left on the clock. The Huskies ended the game with a touchdown as time expired, ending the game 31-23.

LSU was a trending topic for most of the evening. College football's best fans in the world in action again.

The game didn’t end in a blow out that most fans had expected, but then again traveling a couple thousand miles and playing after midnight in your home time zone doesn’t really lend towards stellar athletic performance. Notwithstanding these factors, LSU’s opening game went fairly smoothly. Jefferson did well, connecting with his money man Chris Toliver for a few touchdowns. Of course, new defensive coordinator John Chavis leaves a lot to be desired. Coming from nearly two decades of coaching at the University of Tennessee, Chavis, who commands of a salary of nearly half a million dollars a year, was expected to turn the defense that gave up 50+ points to both Florida and Georgia last year completely around. Instead of doing a complete 180, the defense gave up three touchdowns to a team that hits a lot softer than one like Florida, who many expect will continue on to win the national championship.

The Tigers still put a hurting on the Huskies, though, and played with the fierce determination that we expect from our Bayou Bengals. It’s still unclear if this game portends a successful season or not. Really, any accurate prediction can’t be made until the Tigers get back into Death Valley, which they will when they face conference opponent Vanderbilt next week, where they perform much better. If anything, this game really only reaffirmed one thing: LSU really is a second-half ball club.

The LSU Tigers are on the road for their season opener against the University of Washington in Seattle. The game is to be broadcasted on ESPN at 9:30 PM local time. It’s the furthest away game LSU has ever played. An estimated 2,550 miles, the Tigers will pass through nine states, two time zones on a trip with an estimated drive time of 44 hours.

I don’t know about you, but that seems an awful long way to drive to win a football game.

The Reveille is reporting that LSU senior associate athletic director Herb Vincent has confirmed several cases of Type A influenza. The exact number at this point is unconfirmed, and the Athletic Department suspects that its a spillover effect from the general student population so no epidemic within the athletic community in particular is suspected. All athletes are being urged to follow the same precautions Chancellor Michael Martin issued the student body earlier this week. The Department is dealing with illness on a case-by-case basis. No swine flu (strain H1N1) has been diagnosed yet within the Department, but as with all flu this season is presumed to be so.

I doubt this will adversely affect in any way the opening of the football season in eleven days, but we’ll keep this story updated.

Mashable reports that the final version of the SEC’s new media policty is expected to be released today. LSU is a member of the South Eastern Conference and therefore subject to any of its official policies. Earlier this month the SEC informed its members of a temporary policy that prohibits any ticketed fans from producing or disseminating any material about the event. This effectively includes all social media, including Facebook and Twitter.

If this were in any way similar to the final version, it would be a very sad day for LSU fans. Creating social media has become integrated into our everyday lives, and being in Tiger Stadium is certainly something that we want to share. Like last year during the Alabama game, I was tweeting and posting pictures during that heart-wrenching, seat-gripping game. I just can’t imagine that this policy would be the final version or if it is that it will be enforceable.

I’ll keep my eye on this and update when we receive the final version.

The Shaquille O’Neal CHAMPS/Life Skills Program at LSU, which is for student-athletes and teachers them the basics of life in preparation for life outside of being a student-athlete, is holding the Shaq Classic on September 1, 2009, at Carter Plantation. The Classic is a golf tournament fundraising event with limited spacing. LSUSports.net has more information on how to register.

Until the start of LSU Football season. First game is on Saturday, September 5 at Washington in Seattle, WA. Kickoff at 9:30 PM CST. Broadcasting on ESPN and the LSU Sports Radio Network.

The Daily Reveille is reporting that LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri will sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” at Wrigley Field in Chicago for the seventh inning stretch of a Chicago Cubs baseball game on July 26. The National Coach of the Year is longtime friends with the general manager and LSU infielder DJ LeMahieu was drafted by the Cubs in the second round of this year’s MLB draft.

Not only can he coach the best college baseball team in the world, but he can also sing. What can’t this guy do?

LSU bested Texas in a best-of-three series in the College World Series tonight to be crowned with the school’s sixth championship. Beating Texas 11-4, every member proved to be a critical component of a winning team.

From all of us at the Baton Rougean, congratulations guys. Geaux Tigers, and Forever LSU!

The second game in the best-of-three NCAA baseball College World Series ended in a heartbreaking 5-1 loss for LSU. Initially delayed, Texas scored their runs early in the game. LSU then succeeded in holding them to only five for the remainder of the game. Texas held the Tigers to only one run for the first time in a long time, ending their winning streak. Either team only needs one more game to win the championship. Join the Tigers tomorrow at 6 PM local time on ESPN for the finale. Let’s cheer on our boys in the final, nail-biting game to bring home our sixth championship.

The Reveille is reporting that Rick Perry, governor of Texas, and Bobby Jindal are taking bets on the College World Series final. Perry bet a plate of Texas BBQ and Jindal a plate of Louisiana Seafood that their respective state’s team would take home the trophy. Of course, we all know that after last night’s rally to win the game 7-6, LSU is taking home this trophy. I mean, seriously, when Chad Jones was up to bat ESPN was showing highlights from his football career at LSU. And Matty Ott helped save the day by striking out four batters in a row, three in the last inning to save the game—he’s a freshman, mind you.

Oh yeah, we got this locked down. Watch LSU win tonight on ESPN at 6 PM or listen on LSU Sports Radio 98.1 FM.