“I will not let Nebraska gravitate into mediocrity,” said Steve Pederson, then Athletic Director at the University of Nebraska, after firing head coach Frank Solich in 2003.

Steve Pederson had acquiesced to the outcry from the loudest corn-critics; those that impatiently demanded an immediate return to the final days of Tom Osborne’s tenure when the Corn Husker Nation was awarded three national championships in four years.

Those voices were dismissive of the success Solich had enjoyed—National Runner-up and Fiesta Bowl Champion in his second year, two division, and one conference championship in his first four years, and 58 wins in six years, which was better than both of his predecessors, Tom Osborne and Bob Devaney who are in the College Football Hall of Fame—claiming that he had enjoyed that success ‘only because of Tom Osborne’s recruits’.

To make matters worse, Solich had rebounded from a disappointing 7-7 2002 campaign that was crowned by a loss in the Independence Bowl to up-and-coming Eli Manning’s Ole Miss Rebels.

In 2003 Solich got Nebraska off to a 5-0 start with wins versus Oklahoma State and Penn State, before suffering its first loss to conference foe Missouri. That loss rattled the nay-sayers, and the “Fire Frank” campaign was in high gear.

Despite finishing the year with a very respectable 9-3 record, and invitation to the Alamo Bowl, and a Top 20 ranking, Steve Petersen made the move and infamous statement mentioned above.

Of course, the move allowed the Corn Huskers to by-pass mediocrity, and fall straight to futility, eventually costing Petersen his own job.

It was reported at the time that Dave Wannstedt, Al Saunders, Houston Nutt, Mike Zimmer, and even Steve Spurrier turned down the opportunity to coach the historical power-house Corn Huskers.

One could only speculate that perhaps the unceremonious firing of a very successful coach with only one rebuilding year on his resume, indicated an athletic department and fan base that was far too demanding.

Is it delusional to expect nothing less than three national championships in four years?

Recruits apparently thought so. Despite Bill Callahan’s NFL pedigree, and the Husker’s history, Nebraska’s recruiting took a turn for the worse.

Callahan only enjoyed one Top 25 class ranking during his tenure, and though rankings were not available throughout the Solich years, I for one remember the days when Nebraska was one of those teams who had their pick of the best talent in the country.

Nebraska fans turned to Osborne to resurrect the program after four dismal years of Solich’s predecessor, and most corn fanatics are optimistic with his decision to hire former defensive coordinator Bo Pelini, so far—though Blog’s such as Corn Nation have already highlighted some “overreactions” to recent losses.

Only time will tell if Bo Pelini can restore the once prominent program to national relevance, but as right now the Huskers have only “gravitated” back up to mediocrity.

What does all this have to do with LSU you ask?

Well aside from some eerily similar circumstances with the coaching staff, it serves as a warning message to a somewhat restless Tiger Nation.

As one who has followed LSU Football since I was knee-high to a grasshopper (and trust me when I tell you as a man who stands 6′7″ inches tall, that was a long time ago) I have never seen some of my fellow Tigers more discontented.

When I read (LSU) blogs that question Les Miles job security, decry “the fall back to mediocrity” and discuss how horrible it is to be 5-1, I want to reach out and collectively shake my fellow Tigers in to consciousness.

“Wake up, Wake up, there is a fire…”

And YOU are setting it in your sleep.

Put down the matches Tiger Fans, wake up and educate yourself as to what’s really going on with the program, and for the love of goodness remember the Huskers!

The simple case for Les Miles

Results are what matters, and he gets them. With his next victory he will have as many victories (48) as his predecessor, with fewer losses, and he has won all of his bowl games by lop-sided margins.

In his third year at the helm he won his second division title, the conference, and a national championship.

He also publicly pledged his loyalty to LSU by rejecting an offer to become the next head coach at his alma-mater, and dream job, the University of Michigan.

For this alone LSU fans should be more than willing to give this man a chance to right the ship if it is taking on water.

But is the ship really taking on water?

In 2002 when Nick Saban finished 8-5 did we call for his head? Did we panic and decide that the best days were behind us?

In 2003 when we lost our sixth game to Florida (7-19) in Baton Rouge with an anemic seven point offensive output, did we mail it in and start making plans for the next year and the next coach?

No, we relied on a solid defense that would become the best in the Nation by the end of the season. We watched as Jimbo Fisher made some adjustments offensively, which allowed the Tigers to become a near unstoppable force running roughshod over the rest of the SEC, including Top-Five Georgia for a second time in the SEC Championship game, and then Oklahoma in the BCS National Championship Game.

Will the 2009 Tigers fulfill a similar destiny, who knows?

What we do know, is that destiny is still firmly in our grasp, and to fall asleep on these Tigers might be a big mistake.

Remember the Huskers

Regardless of what happens this year—another national championship, or an 8-5 campaign—Tiger fans need to be careful what they wish for.

When the Husker’s demanded Solich’s head they just knew that any coach would jump at the chance to reside in Lincoln. They didn’t.

When the Husker’s demanded Solich’s head, they took for granted that top athletes would always chose to reside in Lincoln. They didn’t.

When the Husker’s demanded Solich’s head they just thought they were asking for what they deserved. They were, and they got it—they just didn’t know that they deserved to be looking UP at mediocrity.

That’s where we are Tiger Nation, the cross-roads between continuing greatness and looking up at mediocrity, if you are in that growing minority that is calling for “big changes”, just know that you might get what you deserve.

Have faith in the Hat, support the Tigers, and get ready for a great second half.

Geaux Tigers!

By Henry Ball – Syndicated Writer and Feature Columnist at Bleacher Report

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It has not been easy and it most certainly hasn’t been pretty, which is not necessarily a bad thing when you think about where the LSU Tigers are after four weeks of play.

With today’s 30-26 win in Starkville, Miss., LSU improves its record to 4-0 (2-0 SEC).

Like the first three games, vs. Washington, Vanderbilt and UL-Lafayette, it wasn’t easy.

First-year head coach Dan Mullen inspired his Bulldogs to get off the porch and run with the Tigers. Sr. RB Anthony Dixon led the way with 106 yards on 27 carries with two touchdowns.

Overall, the offense was able to put up 374 total yard with three touchdowns. Sr. QB Tyson Lee was able to shake off three interceptions and lead a comeback that culminated in their final drive that found the Bulldogs inside the two-yard line with first and goal and just a little over a minute on the game clock and down by only six.

Getting to that point may have been ugly in the eyes of some LSU Tiger fans, but the ensuing four plays were anything but.

On third and ten from LSU’s 20 yard line, Dixon broke several tackles to rush for 18 yards before being pushed out of bounds by Chris Hawkins at the two.

After being stuffed on first and second down, the Bull Dogs lined up in a power I and looked intent to try to force it in on all four downs, if necessary.

When Lee took the snap and faked the hand-off, TE Marcus Green slipped off his block and was seemingly wide open for the winning touchdown. S Chad Jones, the Tigers MVP, did not bite on the fake and made a spectacular play, knocking down the pass.

The touchdown saving play set up fourth and goal from the one for all the marbles. Lee faked an option pitch to Dixon and attempted to slide into the end zone.

Again, the Tigers stopped him cold and LSU took over at their own one-yard line.

The loss drops MSU to 2-2 (1-1 SEC) and leaves the Dogs on the bottom looking up in one of the toughest divisions in the country.

On the other hand, No. 7 LSU remains undefeated, is battle tested and is staring at what could be the defining stretch of their season with four of the next five at No. 21 Georgia, No. 1 Florida, and currently unbeaten Auburn in Baton Rouge before traveling to Tuscaloosa for a wild (SEC) west showdown with No. 3 Alabama.

Tiger fans across the country – including the 30-plus at Providence Road Sundries in Charlotte, N.C., where your humble correspondent took in the game with the Carolina LSU Alumni Association – were left with as many questions as were answered.

So. QB Jordan Jefferson (15-28 233 yards, two tds) was spectacular early, connecting with receivers Brandon Lafell, R.J.Jackson and Terrance Tolliver for deep strikes of 58, 40 and 39 respectively, answering the question: can he throw the ball effectively?

At the same time, questions abound in the trenches, particularly on the offensive side. Jefferson, typically hard to corral, was sacked twice and hurried on countless plays.

Perhaps more disconcerting was the inability to open holes for the talented backfield. The Tigers were only able to net 30 yards on the ground.

On the defensive side MSU was able to move the ball effectively at times, but the Tigers forced four turnovers and turned MSU back four times on fourth down including the aforementioned game-saving goal-line stand.

Additionally, special teams play was mixed. Chad Jones’ 93 yard punt return for a touchdown highlighted a strong night for the return team.

On the other hand, a third snap in four games, deep in their own territory, sailed over punter Derek Helton’s head setting up a one yard touchdown drive for the Bulldogs.

There was also a missed extra point due to a bad snap-hold transition after Patrick Peterson’s interception touchdown on the first play of the game.

At the end of the day, (the dreary, wet, mushy, rainy day) it wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t easy, it may not have even been fun but like the not-so pretty king of the hard way, Al Davis, likes to say, “Just win, Baby!”

The Tigers keep doing that and that’s the bottom line.

Initially published on the Bleacher Report:

By Henry Ball (a.k.a. Southern Man) Syndicated Writer

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Vanderbilt at LSU
Tiger Stadium
Baton Rouge, LA
Kickoff Time 6:00 pm
ESPNU

Television:

• ESPNU (live) — cable ch. 243 in Baton Rouge
• Cox Sports Television (delay) – cable ch. 37 and HD ch. 737 in Baton Rouge

Radio:

• LSU Sports Radio Network – 98.1 FM in Baton Rouge
• Sirius Satellite Radio – ch. 216
• XM Satellite Radio – ch. 198

Internet:

• Geaux Zone on www.LSUsports.net

October 10 2009

Florida at LSU Football Tickets October 10 2009 Buy Florida at LSU Football Tickets at Tiger Stadium – Baton Rouge in Baton Rouge LA on October 10 2010

Florida at

LSU Sunday Night Live! is presented by Louisiana John Deere Dealers and will originate each week from TJ Ribs on Siegen Lane. Jordy Hultberg, a veteran sportscaster who is entering his 12th season as the sideline reporter for LSU football games, will serve as the host.

LSU Sunday Night Live! can be heard each week on the LSU Sports Radio Network and on the internet in the Geaux Zone on LSUsports.net. The show can be heard in the Baton Rouge area on 107.3 FM.

LSU Sunday Night Live! will once again feature interviews with assistant football coaches and head coaches of other sports as well as a call-in segment with the fans.

There will be no show on Sunday, Sept. 6, however, LSU Sunday Night Live! will resume its weekly schedule the following Sunday (Sept. 13) and will continue for 14 straight weeks throughout the fall.

Source: LSUSports.net

Defending national champion Florida topped the poll with 58 of 60 first-place votes, while Alabama (5), Ole Miss (8) and Georgia (13) also represented the Southeastern Conference in the rankings.

LSU opens its fifth season under head coach Les Miles on Sept. 5 when the Tigers travel to Seattle to face unranked Washington in a nationally televised game on ESPN.

AP Preseason Top 25

Rank, Team (First-Place Votes), Total Points

1. Florida (58) 1,498

2. Texas (2) 1,424

3. Oklahoma 1,370

4. USC 1,313

5. Alabama 1,156

6. Ohio State 1,113

7. Virginia Tech 1,054

8. Mississippi 1,047

t9. Oklahoma State 989

t9. Penn State 989

11. LSU 914

12. California 746

13. Georgia 714

14. Boise State 659

15. Georgia Tech 593

16. Oregon 587

17. TCU 521

18. Florida State 307

19. Utah 289

20. Brigham Young 267

21. North Carolina 261

22. Iowa 229

23. Notre Dame 225

24. Nebraska 207

25. Kansas 134

Others Receiving Votes

Oregon State 122, Illinois 105, Pittsburgh 103, Michigan State 100, Rutgers 83, Texas Tech 76, West Virginia 57, Cincinnati 44, Clemson 42, Miami (FL) 40, East Carolina 30, Tennessee 15, Arizona 13, North Carolina State 10, Boston College 9, Central Michigan 7, Auburn 7, UCLA 7, Northwestern 5, South Florida 3, Southern Miss 3, Vanderbilt 3, Missouri 3, South Carolina 2, Nevada 1, Arkansas 1, Houston 1, Troy 1, Tulsa 1.

Source: LSUSports.Net

Walk-On’s Bistreaux will once again serve as the on-site sponsor for all LSU coaches’ radio shows on the LSU Sports Radio Network.

The Les Miles Show presented by Capital One Bank can be heard across the state of Louisiana on the LSU Sports Radio Network. The show can be heard in the Baton Rouge area on Eagle 98.1 FM as well as on the Internet in the Geaux Zone on www.LSUsports.net (Join Now!).

The show will continue its 14-week run through Wednesday, Nov. 25, the week of LSU’s regular season finale against Arkansas. The show will also take place during LSU’s open date, which is the week of Oct. 17.

The show will once again be hosted by the Voice of the Tigers, Jim Hawthorne, who is entering his 28th season as the play-by-play voice for LSU football, men’s basketball and baseball.

Source: LSUSports.net

The scrimmage, the third of camp, had the Tigers tackling for the first portion of the workout before going to thud (no tackling to the ground) for the second half of the scrimmage. The scrimmage featured the 1s going against the 2s on both offense and defense. LSU also spent time going over all phases of special teams during the scrimmage.

“We had approximately 130 plays and really hit every situation that we needed to hit,” LSU coach Les Miles said of the scrimmage. “We tackled for half the scrimmage and touched off thereafter. I really felt like it was a very good go.

“I feel like our team’s coming. The offense answered the call. I think the defense had been ahead, and I think the offense really came to play today.”

Offensively, sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson had his best scrimmage statistically, going 11-of-14 for 150 yards and one touchdown. Jefferson connected with Brandon LaFell on a 15-yard scoring play as well as a 40-yard gain during the scrimmage.

Freshman Russell Shepard connected on 3-of-4 passes for 73 yards and he led all rushers with 60 yards on six carries. Jarrett Lee was 6-of-12 for 50 yards, while Chris Garrett was 4-of-5 for 21 yards.

Joining Shepard as rushing leaders for the Tigers were Keiland Williams with 40 yards on nine carries; Charles Scott 30 yards on six attempts; Richard Murphy 30 yards on five carries and Trindon Holliday with 30 yards on six attempts.

LaFell led all receivers with 74 yards on five receptions, while Rueben Randle had four catches for 34 yards. Terrance Toliver had three catches for 38 yards and R.J. Jackson two receptions for 60 yards, including a long of 53 yards.

Defensively, linebacker Perry Riley came up big for the Tigers, recording five tackles, including a pair of sacks. Defensive end Chase Clement chipped in with five tackles and a sack, while linebacker Harry Coleman added four tackles, which included a sack and another tackle for a loss.

There were no turnovers during the scrimmage.

The Tigers capped with scrimmage with kicker Josh Jasper connecting on a 44-yard field goal to close out camp.

“The guys have made some real improvement,” Miles said of his team. “Any time you go into a period of time where you have to mature your team, to me, it’s improvement that must take place.

“I think the team has practiced awfully hard in this camp, and I think across the board and individually, there is a lot of improvement.”

The Tigers will take tomorrow off before returning to practice on Thursday afternoon in what will be the first day of preparation for the season-opener against Washington. LSU faces the Huskies at 9:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Sept. 5 in Seattle. The game will be televised nationally by ESPN.

Source: LSUSports.net

Kickoff Time: 6:00 PM September 12, 2009. Tiger Stadium.

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