2017 LSU Tiger Pride

225BATONROUGE.COM

2017

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CONTENTS

THIS MONTH FIND OUT:

PLUS A8 Fall 2017 schedule

Who DJs the music inside Tiger Stadium

A18

A12 Getting to know Coach O

A21 What happens at band

Matt Moscona’s season preview

camp—and practice

A26 When Pete Jenkins decided

working at LSU was his dream job

A29 Why Christian LaCouture

is back for a fifth year

A36 How outside linebacker

coach Dennis Johnson plans to tackle the season

A15

A34 Jersey No. 7’s special meaning

A41

LSU associate athletic director’s fave memories

A45 Game-day outfit ideas A54 Tailgating survival guide A58 Picture This

GREAT SHOT! LSU graduate research assistant Moinul I. Mahdi captured this image during a roaring, middle-of-the-night spring thunderstorm. “When I came in front of the Tiger Stadium, I was stunned,” he remembers. “The purple and gold light of Death Valley and the lightning—it was so beautiful that I knew I needed to capture this.

I was standing there for around 3-4 hours, trying different settings. After a lot of trial and error, I felt ‘This is it; I got the shot.’”

A6

TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

ON THE COVER Is it just us, or is Coach O leaping off the page in this photo by LSU Athletics Staff Photographer Steve Franz?

Leap, by the way, is exactly what Louisiana expects its newest football coach to do this season. For his first full year leading the team, expectations are high for everyone’s favorite “down the bayou” guy. But no matter what Orgeron does this season, expect him to do it with a lot of energy. As we learned while making this issue, he drinks 8-10 energy drinks per day. Test your Coach O knowledge on page A12.

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Publisher: Julio Melara Executive assistant: Millie Coon

EDITORIAL

JORDAN HEFLER

Editorial director: Penny Font Editor: Jennifer Tormo Managing editor: Benjamin Leger Staff writer: Kaci Yoder Digital content editor: Mark Clements Staff photographer: Collin Richie Copy editor: Robin Mayhall Contributing writers: Andrew Alexander, April Capochino Myers, Cynthea Corfah, Lee Feinswog, Lauren Heffker, Megan Herr, Adrian E. Hirsch, David Jacobs, Tracey Koch, Elizabeth Macke, Elle Marie, Kayla Randall, Maggie Heyn Richardson, Stephanie Riegel, Jeff Roedel, Jessica Rogers, Leslie D. Rose, Meg Ryan, Rachele Smith, John Wirt Contributing photographers: Allie Appel, Kristina Britt, Miriam Buckner, Charlene Guilliams, Jordan Hefler, Courtney Holden, Stephanie Landry, Miracle Marcelle, Ischelle Martin, David Morris, Sean Richardson, Amy Shutt, Tate Tullier

HERE COME THE TIGERS IT’S A NEW ERA in LSU football. This season belongs to Ed Orgeron, and Baton Rouge is ready for him.

The city has already rallied behind Coach O. In a reader vote that wasn’t even close, he was named Best Local Celebrity in the 2017 Best of 225 Awards.

All eyes will be on him, but he’s not the Tigers’ only big story this fall.

Our 225 cover star Derrius Guice has been the talk of Baton Rouge for a while, named one of 225’s own 2015 People to Watch. But this year, he will be one of the most discussed players in the country as he runs for the Heisman. And he says he couldn’t do it without the help of standout blocker J.D. Moore.

Defensive lineman Christian LaCouture was handpicked by Coach O to wear the honorable No. 18 jersey. Team members will be looking to him for inspiration—and for this issue of Tiger Pride, he shares with us the even more inspiring story of how he overcame adversity to get there.

After 12 years of on-again, off-again coaching at LSU, Pete Jenkins returns to coach the defensive line.

Here, he explains what being a Tiger means to him.

And few know as profoundly what it means to be a Tiger as the Golden Band from Tigerland members.

Following the August 2016 floods, the marching band knew just how to lift spirits. At the season opener halftime show, their Louisiana-themed formations filled the crowd with pride for the strength of our region. For this issue, we spoke with band directors to find out just what goes into performance prep.

Thank you for reading this year’s issue of Tiger Pride. See you at the game!

A8

TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

2017 SCHEDULE SEPT. 2 SEPT. 9 SEPT. 16 SEPT. 23 SEPT. 30 OCT. 7 OCT. 14 OCT. 21 NOV. 4 NOV. 11 NOV. 18 NOV. 25

BRIGHAM YOUNG AT HOUSTON | 8:30 P.M. UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE CHATTANOOGA MISSISSIPPI STATE AT STARKVILLE | 6 P.M. SYRACUSE TROY* FLORIDA AT GAINESVILLE AUBURN OLE MISS AT OXFORD ALABAMA AT TUSCALOOSA ARKANSAS TENNESSEE AT KNOXVILLE TEXAS A&M

HOME GAMES ARE IN BOLD • ALL START TIMES TBA, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED • *HOMECOMING

HANG WITH US AT THE GAME

The 225 digital team was live at every home game last season. We broadcasted on Facebook Live as the coaches, team and band marched down Victory Hill. We shared behind-the-scenes photos and videos on Instagram, and posted score updates and fan commentary on Twitter. Follow along with us again on Saturdays. Geaux Tigers! facebook.com/225magazine twitter.com/225batonrouge instagram.com/225batonrouge

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A9

Season outlook Meet Mike VII

—College football analyst and former LSU Tiger Marcus Spears on the running back’s chances of making it to December’s Heisman trophy ceremony in New York

Buzzworthy game

Local predictions

—Baton Rouge radio host Matt Moscona gives his full season expectations on page A15

A10

MA TT MO SCON A

Early rankings

SY

“The head coach may be different, but expectations in Baton Rouge haven’t changed.”

TE UR CO

CO AT URT HL ES ET Y ICS LS U

8.4

The number of wins ESPN’s Football Power Index has projected for LSU this season, with the team ranking No. 10 in the nation as of press time. The rankings change daily, so check out the latest at ESPN.com.

The AP Poll’s official preseason rankings won’t be out until later this month, but most sports publications’ predictions have the team hovering around No. 12.

TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

“People are gonna do what they gonna do. Florida’s a great rival … We’re going to be ready to play regardless of what it is.”

—Coach Ed Orgeron on Florida scheduling LSU for its homecoming game following last year’s Hurricane Matthew debacle

COURTESY LSU ATHLETICS

CHELSEA CALDWELL

MIKE!

If updates to the habitat are completed on schedule, the plan is to have a new tiger in August, Ginger Guttner, communications manager for LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, told 225’s Tiger Pride in mid July. Mike will not enter the stadium this year, but he will be out in his habitat seven days a week, according to a press release LSU released earlier this year.

“The performance of an LSU running back when they play against Alabama—if [Guice] has a big day, then he’ll be in New York.”

COURTESY LSU ATHLETICS

We

Derrius Guice and the Heisman

Put your game face on this season to help keep Tiger Stadium one of the most intimidating places to play in the country REGARDLESS OF HOW the Tigers perform this year, one thing will remain unchanged: Death Valley is arguably the best place to play in all of college football. Here’s what sports pundits have said about Death Valley throughout the years.

“

—RESEARCH BY ELIZABETH MACKE

College football is LSU’s Tiger Stadium at night.

”

—Sports Illustrated’s Rick Reilly in 1995

“Dracula and LSU football are at their best after the sun goes down.”

—The late ESPN analyst Beano Cook, date unknown

STEVE FRANZ / COURTESY LSU ATHLETICS

Get LOUD

“The most feared road playing site in America.”

“Few places in the nation can send chills down your spine like a game at Tiger Stadium.”

—Athlon Sports & Life in 2012

—Sport Magazine in 1998

“There are very few stadiums in America worth a touchdown, but the Bayou Bengals certainly have that advantage in Tiger Stadium.”

—ESPN’s Adrian Karsten in 2002

DID YOU KNOW? LSU has been playing night games in Tiger Stadium since 1931, when the team took down Spring Hill 35-0 on an October evening. T.P. “Skipper” Heard, then graduate manager of athletics, listed the Baton Rouge daytime heat and humidity and scheduling conflicts with nearby Tulane and Loyola as reasons for the night game. But game attendance— and scores—immediately shot up, ultimately cementing night games as a school tradition.

TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

A11

Getting to know

COACH O IT’S SAFE TO say Louisianans love them some Coach O. He’s one of us. A man of the people. A coach that finally doesn’t have an accent.

Orgeron’s coaching record is well documented, vastly extensive and often scrutinized, but how well do Tiger fans

Born July 27, 1961, in Larose, Louisiana

3R 12

F

ou” the Bay “Down

—MARK CLEMENTS

Attended South Lafourche High School with former New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Bobby Hebert. They won a state championship in 1977 with only 34 players on the roster.

Larose, LA

DTB

know their new leader off the field?

From big games to the big screen, his journey has never been a dull one. So kick back, pop open an energy drink (or 10) and read some fun facts about LSU’s 33rd head coach.

Recruited Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to Miami as a defensive lineman

Home of the fighting Tarpons!

ALL-STAR

Played himself in the 2009 film The Blind Side as Ole Miss’ head coach recruiting Michael Oher

CHRIS COURTEPARENT / SY LSU ATHLET ICS

Was featured in a 2007 book

by New York Times Bestselling author Bruce Feldman called Meat Market: Inside the Smash-Mouth World of College Football Recruiting

Has coached defensive line legends like Cortez Kennedy, Russell Maryland and Warren Sapp

Played football, basketball and threw discus and shot put in high school

A12

TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

He has three sons: Tyler, the oldest who is a member of the LSU football support staff as an offensive analyst, and a set of twins, Parker and Cody, who are entering their second season on the McNeese State football team.

Drinks 8-10 energy drinks per day, but he did temporarily give them up last Lent, along with chocolate and Diet Coke

Tweets “Hold That Tiger” every time LSU gets a new recruiting commitment

He met his current wife, Kelly, at the 1996 Liberty Bowl while coaching for Syracuse.

They went on their first blind date that week and were married two months later.

And in case you were wondering: Syracuse won the bowl game.

TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

A13

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TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

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The ruling on the field ...

Sports radio host Matt Moscona talks the season ahead

FOR THE FIRST time in 13 years, someone other than Les Miles will lead LSU out the tunnel for its season opener.

In case you need a refresher: The Tigers’ high-hat-wearing, grass-chomping, championship-winning coach was unceremoniously fired four games into the 2016 season. Ed Orgeron won the job permanently after a 6-2 stint as the interim boss.

The head coach may be different, but expectations in Baton Rouge haven’t changed.

It is up to Orgeron and his tandem of million-dollar coordinators Dave Aranda and Matt Canada to navigate a schedule that includes five road conference games to get the Tigers back into title contention.

Oddsmakers in the desert have LSU penciled in at nine wins. With that road schedule, a 9-3 season for LSU sounds about right, with anything above that being a dynamite debut for Coach O. —MATT MOSCONA

SEPT. 3 VS. BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY (IN HOUSTON) Another season, another neutral site opener.

BYU is a veteran club that lost four games in 2016 by a combined eight points. Don’t be surprised if the Tigers find themselves in a dog … er, cat fight with the Cougars.

SEPT. 9 VS. CHATTANOOGA

Though the Mocs were a Football Championship Subdivision playoff team a season ago, they’re still not in our league. LSU will have a tougher time spelling Chattanooga than winning its home opener.

If you’re looking for a potential “trap” game, this might be it. Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald is a budding star and will present a challenge for Aranda’s defense, which loses eight starters and its top five tacklers from a season ago. The last three meetings have all come down to the wire.

JORDAN HEFLER

SEPT. 16 AT MISSISSIPPI STATE

TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

A15

defensive starters and could be working in a new quarterback. The Tigers will be aching for payback, but are only 2-3 in their last five visits to The Swamp.

OCT. 14 VS. AUBURN

Gus Malzahn’s crew will be the betting favorite to challenge Alabama for supremacy in the SEC West. Baylor quarterback transfer Jarrett Stidham might be the league’s greatest wild card. A visit to Baton Rouge will be Auburn’s fourth consecutive SEC game, so LSU might be catching the team at the right time.

JORDAN HEFLER

OCT. 21 AT OLE MISS

SEPT. 23 VS. SYRACUSE

When Canada called plays against Syracuse last season, his Pittsburgh offense scored 76 points. And he didn’t have Derrius Guice. The Tigers can name their score in this one.

SEPT. 30 VS. TROY

In Week 2 of 2016, eventual national champion Clemson recovered an onside kick to hold off Troy’s upset bid, 30-24. The Trojans return three-year starting quarterback Brandon Silvers and, amazingly, every player that recorded a rushing or receiving statistic in Issue Date: May Ad proof #1 2016.

The lesson: Don’t look ahead to …

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OCT. 7 AT FLORIDA

If LSU has one game circled—other than the obvious one in November—it’s this one. The fallout from the Hurricane Matthew postponement was one of the ugliest scenes in college football last year. It was made worse when Florida rallied to beat LSU in Tiger Stadium.

Like LSU, the Gators are replacing eight

He will never admit it, but the Ole Miss game will always mean a little extra to Orgeron, who was the head coach there 10 years ago. Expect the Tigers to empty the tank going into their open date.

NOV. 4 AT ALABAMA

Everyone knows the count. But just for good measure: Yes, Alabama has won six straight in the series. The “at Alabama” part of this game is why it will become seven. The last two games in Tuscaloosa have been decided by 21 and 14 points, respectively.

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TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

AWARDS 2016 WINNER

NOV. 11 VS. ARKANSAS

The Hogs’ top running back, four of its top five receivers and its left tackle are gone. There just isn’t enough firepower to outscore LSU in Baton Rouge.

NOV. 18 AT TENNESSEE

Thanks to the SEC’s loony scheduling format, the Tigers head to Rocky Top for the first time since 2011 and won’t be back until 2026 at the earliest. Plan accordingly, Tiger fans.

Still, familiar names for the Vols like Dobbs, Barnett and Kamara are gone. The team will have to do a lot of growing up if they want to hold serve against LSU.

NOV. 25 VS. TEXAS A&M

Since joining the SEC, the Aggies are 0-5 against LSU. Don’t expect this to be the A&M team to break the streak.

JORDAN HEFLER

Matt Moscona has hosted “After Further Review” on 104.5/104.9 ESPN Baton Rouge since 2010 and is now syndicated on 100.3 ESPN New Orleans. Radio Ink magazine named him one of the U.S.’ Top 30 Local Sports Talkers every year 2012-2016. He is also the 2016 and 2017 Louisiana Association of Broadcasters Prestige Award Winner for Best Sports Show.

TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

A17

The Death Valley

DJ

Kyle Huber keeps Tiger Stadium rocking every Saturday night

JORDAN HEFLER

BY ANDREW ALEXANDER

A18

TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

EVERY LSU FOOTBALL fan knows it’s not officially a game day until Garth Brooks belts out, “I spent last night in the arms of a girl in Louisiana.”

The purple and gold faithful scream the final word of the opening line in unison from their seats in Tiger Stadium.

High above the field in the press box, Kyle Huber, assistant director

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playing and there’s not enough time for another song.”

He works with LSU’s director of fan experience, Jason Suitt, to coordinate when to cue the marching band to play, when to play songs and when to let Tiger Stadium’s public address announcer, Dan Borné, speak to the crowd.

With a few exceptions, songs are typically only played once per game, and Huber utilizes a computer program that organizes songs for different points of the game, including pregame, kickoffs, timeouts and official replay reviews.

Huber also coordinates with LSU players for pregame music suggestions the team wants to hear during its warmups.

Last season, the team requested COURTESY KYLE HUBER

Throughout the game, Huber of marketing for LSU Athletics, showers Tiger fans with “Turn serves as the conductor for “Callin’ Down for What,” “Jump Around,” Baton Rouge” and the rest of the the techno track “Sandstorm” and stadium soundtrack each Saturday basically anything that will make during football season.

Tigers fans stand Huber, a Metairie native, worked up, dance and get in the athletic marketing departcrazy. ment while obtaining two degrees He’s also creditfrom LSU. He started off sitting ed with introducwith the Golden Band from Tigering Tiger Stadium land during sporting events, cueing to a clean version the band director when it was time of Louisiana for the marching band to play.

Ca$h’s “[Expletive] When Huber became a graduate I’m From Louiassistant, he was promoted to DJ siana” to invigoin Death Valley during football rate the student games, despite having no formal section during the disc jockey experience. opening kickoff.

“I just happen to be a pretty big Kyle Huber Still, there will fan of music,” Huber says. always be tradiWhen assembling each football season’s playlist, Huber draws tionalists, who prefer the marching band more than piped-in stadium inspiration from current Top 40 music. hits, while incorporating the Tiger “We would rather the band play Stadium musical staples: “Callin’ the entire time than have us play, Baton Rouge,” Guns N’ Roses’ especially in-game,” Huber ex“Welcome to the Jungle” and Mel plains. “The only time we play muMcDaniel’s “Louisiana Saturday Issue Date: AUG(LSU) Ad proof #1 sicrevisions. in-game is if the band is finished Night.”

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lots of Future and Kevin Gates, Huber says, with former LSU superstar running back Leonard Fournette specifically requesting Future’s “My Savages.”

No songs are officially banned from Huber’s playlist, but do not expect to hear Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Southern rock anthem “Sweet Home Alabama” anytime soon in Death Valley.

“It’s understood that it’s banned,” Huber says.

Because first-year head coach Ed Orgeron is a big Chris Stapleton fan, Huber always plays “Tennessee Whiskey” when the coach enters Tiger Stadium to conduct his pregame interview. Unsurprisingly, Huber says Orgeron is also partial to “Born on the Bayou” by Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Ultimately, Huber says his goal is to ensure each fan enjoys the experience, regardless of the outcome.

“Even if [LSU loses] the game, our goal is to have people go home and say, ‘We lost the game, but we still had great time.’”

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TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

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And the BAND PLAYED on What goes into each performance by the Golden Band From Tigerland

BY KACI YODER

EVERYONE WHO’S EVER set foot in Tiger Stadium can describe the heart-stopping feeling of the first chord of “The Pregame Salute” reverberating through your chest.

When you’re on the field, when the shiny brass bell of your instrument is helping create that explosion of sound, it’s even more thrilling. It’s possible that nobody has a better time in Tiger Stadium than the Golden Band From Tigerland.

It’s also possible that nobody—other than the football team itself—has worked harder to be there.

Here’s how they make it happen.

TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

A21

BEFORE THEY EVER make it to the first rehearsal, musicians must go through auditions and band camp. A series of cuts let only the best performers into the band.

First, instrumentalists perform face-toface with one of the band directors. Wind instrument players have to prove their skills with scales, their own musical selection and sight-reading, while percussionists can join up for four drumline camps throughout the summer before their final audition just before the start of band camp.

Meanwhile, the music department staff is working to secure meals, cover housing, reserve facilities, alter uniforms, set up stadium seating arrangements and train student leadership before those who pass auditions show up for band camp. New and returning members sweat through days of drills, hammering down marching fundamentals, reading charts of formations and rehearsing music. You think marching bands just walk? You better learn how to rollstep if you want to make the cut.

And there are definitely cuts. Just because you go through all the paces doesn’t mean you’ll be wearing a shako in the fall. After days of work, band directors will cut any applicant who lags behind the rest of the band until only 325 performers remain.

A22

TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

MADELINE VEZAIN / COURTESY LSU ATHLETICS

Making the cut

CHRIS PARENT / COURTESY LSU ATHLETICS

Halftime prep

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OVER THE COURSE of a single football season, the Tiger Band performs at least six unique halftime shows, usually based around a theme. Assistant director of bands Kelvin Jones designs the majority of the drills—those elaborate formations you see taking shape on the field.

Pages and pages of charts are handed out to each band member during practices every week. Every member is assigned a number with a little corresponding dot on the chart, which designates where on the field he or she should stand. A performer’s job is to memorize every page of the charts, every assigned spot and the paths required to get there in order to smoothly create those impressive formations.

Usually the band will start prepping two weeks in advance, but they will often have to turn a new show around in a week.

“We strive to do a new halftime show for each home game, and depending on the schedule we [could] have as little as four days to learn a brandnew show and have it Tiger Stadium-ready,” Jones says. “On paper, we spend around six to eight hours total for a one-week show from conception to performance. Behind the scenes, our student leaders spend countless hours outside of our normal rehearsal time coordinating sectionals and practices to make sure things are performance-ready, especially our Golden Girls and Colorguard members.”

“Luckily,” he adds, “our students are second to none.”

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TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

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MADELINE VEZAIN / COURTESY LSU ATHLETICS

One big, noisy family

A24

TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

IT MAY BE hard to believe that a bunch of college students would willingly sacrifice so much of their nights and weekends to Tiger Band. But if you ask a longtime member, they’ll tell you they wouldn’t have it any other way. Some members have even been known to take an extra year of classes so they can have one more season with the band.

“The members of the band know that they have been watching Tiger Band since they were kids and that they, now, need to be that awe-inspiring ensemble that makes today’s youth want to be a part of Tiger Band in 10 years,” associate director of bands Dennis Llinas says. “If anyone ever wonders how the band looks and sounds how they do, they just need to take a look at the heart of the students in the group.”

From early-morning rehearsals on game days to gathering in the band hall after games to watch the replay of the halftime show, from staying to the very end of the game to play the alma mater or the tuba section flanking the Golden Girls and Colorguard on the late-night march out of the stadium to protect them from drunk and unruly revelers, it’s a family. The culture keeps everyone together and makes everything worth it.

Between all the gold and purple, all the grass and brass, there’s a whole lot of heart.

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TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

A25

Track record Pete Jenkins is back for another year as D-line coach at LSU. Here’s a look at the accolades—and heart—he brings

• 36 years of college and NFL experience • Coached 22 All-SEC players • Sent 75+ to the NFL • Made 11 coaching stops at college or pro level • Coached 22 seasons in the SEC • Won 3 SEC titles • Coached in 14 bowl games • Coached in 4 NFL playoff games

CHRIS PARENT / COURTESY LSU ATHLETICS

JENKINS’ RESUME

BY MARK CLEMENTS

P

ete Jenkins can show you exactly where he was sitting the moment he knew he wanted to coach at LSU. “I’ve looked up there at the seat a thousand times,” Jenkins says.

“No, not a thousand­—thousands of times. I’m telling you, really and truly, I’ve looked at that damn seat a million times over the years.”

It’s a spot tucked away near the South endzone, in the corner bowl above the visiting team’s entrance.

Jenkins was a high school football assistant in Alabama at the time and was sitting in the visitor’s section as the Tigers hosted the Crimson Tide in 1967.

He had no direct ties to LSU. But he still felt compelled to leave his seat at halftime to call his wife on

A26

one of the payphones that used to line the outside of Tiger Stadium and tell her that this was his dream job.

Her response? “What are y’all drinking?”

Jenkins would get to fulfill that dream 13 years later, when he left Florida for less money to become LSU’s defensive line coach. He wept outside the LSU offices when he ultimately accepted the position.

Jenkins was 39 at the time, and now, as he turns 76 this month and is still going strong, he is living proof that age is just a number.

He’s back as the Tigers’ defensive line coach for the third time now with more than 36 seasons of college and professional experience under his belt, having come out of retirement (for the third time) last

TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

season to add one more stint in Baton Rouge to his resume.

Some thought Jenkins might be a temporary fill-in on the staff of then-interim coach Ed Orgeron, but the now full-time head coach has managed to keep Jenkins around for another year. And it didn’t even take much convincing.

“He didn’t have to twist my arm,” Jenkins says. “There’s two things I’ve had a real hard time in my life saying no to. One is Ed Orgeron, and two is LSU. So it wasn’t a big decision on my part.”

The question Jenkins gets asked most often is: How much does he have left in the tank?

One more season? Two more?

Will he ever stop? If it were up to him, he certainly wouldn’t.

“I don’t even buy green bananas

anymore. I don’t know if I have time for them to ripen,” Jenkins jokes. “I’ve got no plans right now of stopping. As long as [Coach Orgeron] wants me here, I’m going to try to stay as long as I feel well.

And don’t you think for a minute that I’m not thankful and know how blessed I am to have this opportunity at this point in my life.”

Jenkins is considered by most to be a living legend in the coaching world—a defensive line “whisperer,” consistently capable of getting the most out of his players.

His track record speaks for itself.

Listed at right are some of the most impressive accomplishments from players Jenkins has worked with during his illustrious career.

He’ll hope to add a few more to his tally in 2017.

His former players’ accomplishments

RAMSEY DARDAR

1982 SEC Defensive Lineman of the Year 1982 First Team All-SEC 71st overall pick in 1983 NFL Draft

LEONARD MARSHALL

KARL WILSON

KARL DUNBAR

JARVIS GREEN

37th overall pick in 1983 NFL Draft 2-time Super Bowl champ (with the New York Giants) 2-time Pro Bowler

1986 First Team All-SEC 1985 Second Team All-SEC 59th overall pick in 1987 NFL Draft

1989 Second Team All-SEC

2001 Second Team All-SEC No. 4 on LSU’s All-Time Sack and Tackle for Loss list 2-time Super Bowl champ (with the New England Patriots)

ROLAND BARBAY

HENRY THOMAS

DARRELL PHILLIPS

MARC BOUTTE

1985, 1986 First Team All-SEC

1986 First Team All-SEC 2-time Pro Bowler Second-team All-Pro selection in 1993

1987, 1988 First Team All-SEC

PHOTOS COURTESY LSU ATHLETICS

LYMAN WHITE

1979, 1980 First Team All-SEC 54th overall pick in 1981 NFL Draft

1990 First Team All-SEC 1991 Second Team All-SEC 57th overall pick in 1992 NFL Draft

TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

A27

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TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

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Better

DAYS

After a tough year, Christian LaCouture is still smiling

BY MARK CLEMENTS • Photos by Collin Richie

T

he past year hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing for Christian LaCouture.

Calling it a roller coaster sounds cliché, but it’s a fitting comparison to make considering all the peaks and valleys he’s experienced since last summer.

Rewind to August 2016. The defensive lineman had just recently decided to forgo entering the NFL Draft­and come back to LSU for his senior season.

He didn’t make the decision alone, either.

A handful of players decided to bypass an early paycheck to return for one final shot at winning a national championship.

Things were looking up. LaCouture graduated from LSU on Aug. 3, he had his starting spot solidified on the defensive line, and his LSU Tigers were ranked in the preseason top five.

Fast forward almost exactly a week later, and he found himself out for the entire season with a torn ACL, his family’s home flooded with nearly four feet of water and the team he had recommitted to about to embark on one of the most disappointing seasons in recent LSU football history.

TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

A29

“I felt like between the injury and the flood, everything kind of hit me at once,” LaCouture says. “But you’ve got to look at the positives compared to the negatives. The flood happened; my injury happened. But there’s always going to be better times in life. I had to tell myself to keep pushing forward, because there will be better days.”

It’s that sort of positive approach to both football and life that has gotten him back to where he is today.

He’s entering his fifth year at LSU, was awarded the honorary No. 18 jersey and is finally ready to fulfill his senior season goals of competing for championships.

But he didn’t get where he is today without a fight.

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It was a fairly routine play that ended LaCouture’s 2016 season (and nearly his college career).

The 6-foot-5, 300-pound defensive end got double-teamed on a running play to the opposite side of the field in practice. He planted his foot and turned to try and follow the play when he heard a pop.

He knew it wasn’t good. Doctors confirmed a day later that he had torn his ACL and would be out for the rest of the year.

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It was a tough pill to swallow, considering he could have entered the NFL Draft a few months prior and started earning a paycheck.

Now, he not only couldn’t contribute on the field, but his future was in a bit of limbo.

Regardless, LaCouture somehow managed to keep his sights set on his football career. Sure, the negative thoughts and low points surfaced at times. But he never let those sentiments overtake the bigger picture.

“I try not to look at things like that,” he says. “It definitely creeps into my mind sometimes, but you don’t want any regrets in life. I wanted to exhaust everything I could to make sure I didn’t have any regrets. A lot of things have come along the way since then that have been very positive, so you can’t sit back and look at things like that.”

The school released news of LaCouture’s injury on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016. Three days later, on Aug. 12, historic flooding hit Baton Rouge. LaCouture’s family’s home in the Centurion subdivision off O’Neal Lane was inundated.

An estimated $250,000 of damage impacted the home, ruining everything from furniture to family heirlooms.

With his torn ACL, LaCouture

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LaCouture has been a steadying presence along LSU’s defensive line ever since coming out of high school as a four-star prospect with scholarship offers from all across the country. He’s accounted 23 career starts in 37 games played, racking up 86 tackles, 8.0 tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks in his career.

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TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

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found himself in a similar spot with his biological family as he did with his football family: watching from the sidelines.

“It breaks my heart to watch my mom and dad working hard to clean out the house, carrying soggy mattresses, furniture, boards from the uprooted flooring, and I can’t even help them lift anything because of this torn ACL,” LaCouture wrote in a GoFundMe post back in August, which ultimately raised about $20,000 for his family.

“I feel so helpless and very sad for my parents.”

But instead of sulking in his situation, he had to come up with creative ways to stay involved.

FROM HELMET TO HEADSET

After sustaining an injury, some football players tend to slowly drift away from the team. Sometimes they’re too upset to stay actively involved when they can’t actually play. Other times they’ll simply be a cheerleader on the sidelines, encouraging teammates during the games.

That wasn’t what LaCouture wanted with his team, and that wasn’t what the coaching staff wanted for him either.

Later in the season, head coach Ed Orgeron and defensive line coach Pete Jenkins came to LaCouture with a rare opportunity. They wanted him to become a makeshift assistant defensive line coach for the remainder of the season, helping the rest of the guys pick up on the new defense being installed by first-year defensive coordinator Dave Aranda and keep up with the in-game adjustments being made every week.

It was a no-brainer for LaCouture.

“You can’t really see some things when you’ve got the helmet on compared to being a coach and having the hat on,” he says. “You see things a whole lot different than when you’re on the field. I had to go out there and give my best at whatever the coaches asked me to do. I had to make sure I was helping those guys when we went into game week. I felt like it was a blessing in disguise.”

That’s the one phrase LaCouture continuously repeats when asked about his injury. It was a blessing in disguise.

Tearing his ACL allowed him to further appreciate the time he has left on the field. It allowed him to get his first glimpse into being a coach—something he says he would like to do once his playing days are over. It also allowed him to further cement his role as a team leader for the Tigers, building mutual respect among his peers.

“Being out there every day with those guys and just trying to be a coach—they’re my friends, but also when I went out there, it’s business,” he says. “When they get off the field, you can tell them, ‘Listen, this is what you did wrong.’ Or ‘Hey, great job here and here.’ Once you get on the field and you’re playing, you don’t really think about stuff like that, you just go play ball.

When you’re being a coach, you get to help those guys get through that process.”

It was a unique experience for LaCouture as he recovered from the ACL injury. His health continued to improve, but his football future was still full of questions.

EMBRACING 18

LaCouture never thought he’d have to struggle with the same decision to either go pro or return to college two separate times in his life.

Deciding to come back for his first senior year was tough enough.

When things didn’t go as planned, it’s understandable that he was heavily leaning toward closing the book on his college career and working his way into the NFL. But the more he spoke with Orgeron—his former position coach­now turned head coach—the more opportunity he saw to stay at LSU, compete for all the college goals he had hoped to accomplish and rebuild whatever NFL Draft stock was lost due to the injury.

Ultimately he did decide to return and shortly after was rewarded with the prestigious No. 18 jersey, given each year to the one player who best exhibits “what it means to be a Tiger” both on and off the field.

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“When I got [the No. 18 jersey], I was so happy.

It’s one number, but there are a lot of guys [on the team] that are huge leaders.

Even though I have this number, I still have to show that I’m a team leader.”

—LSU senior defensive lineman Christian LaCouture

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TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

Even though I have this number, I The tradition started in 2003 still have to show that I’m a team with quarterback Matt Mauck, who leader.” led LSU to a national championship LaCouture is more than deservbefore passing the number on to ing of the honor. Other than when running back Jacob Hester. he had to sit out for injuries, he’s “Matt Mauck was one of my allplayed in every game since arriving time favorite guys. That’s an honor, on campus, battling for playing because if it’s got anything to do time despite being slightly underwith Mauck, it’s pretty legit,” says sized by defensive line standards. defensive line coach Pete Jenkins, His dedication to the team who was at LSU at the same time coupled with the adversity he’s had as Mauck. “I think [LaCouture] fits to overcome made him a prime that role. He’s an all-in guy. I have candidate to don the number. great respect for him; I really do.

And LaCouture says he is more That’s the way he does his business. than ready for the responsibility.

I think LSU means a lot to him. I “I know I have to go in there and think [No. 18] is suiting for him.” be a team leader,” he says. “A numLaCouture will be just the second ber doesn’t display being a leader. defensive lineman to boast No. 18, You have to go in there day-in and following in the footsteps of Bennie day-out to make sure you’re doing Logan, one of his mentors, who also wore the number in 2012. all the right things all the time, 24/7, to show these younger guys “That was the cherry on top,” when they come up that this is how LaCouture says. “When I got that, you do it. You can’t go off-track.

I was so happy. It was definitely And if somebody does go off-track, humbling. I knew there were other you have to pull them back in. guys who could possibly get it as “As Coach O says, ‘One team, one well.

It’s one number, but there are Issue Date: LSU Ad proof #3 heartbeat.’” a• lot ofrespond guys by that areor huge Please e-mail fax withleaders. your approval or minor revisions.

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TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

A33

7

Special

seven

In the past decade, the No. 7 jersey has become one of the team’s biggest honors

BY MARK CLEMENTS

THE HISTORY OF LSU’s prestigious No. 18 jersey is well known and equally admired by Tiger Nation.

But there’s another numerical football tradition that might be even more elusive—the No. 7.

Unlike No. 18, the number isn’t voted on by the team. It isn’t assigned by the coaches. It’s an honor passed down between teammates to those worthy of taking on the challenge of being LSU’s dynamic playmaker, X-factor and game changer.

The newest No. 7 is senior wideout D.J. Chark. He inherited the honor from former running back Leonard Fournette, who left LSU

A34

as one of the best backs in school history.

“I was very close with Leonard,” Chark says. “[We] came in as roommates, and when he left, we always had talks about the number and the legacy and making big plays. When he left, he passed it on to me. I couldn’t wait to wear it.”

Chark has slowly worked his way to the top of the Tigers’ depth chart after a breakout junior campaign that saw him finish top three on the team in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.

Now the Alexandria native is in the leading receiver role and ready to represent the No. 7 in a new-

TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

look offense under first-year coordinator Matt Canada that promises to open up the playbook with some newfound creativity.

“Coach O, every time I make a play, he tells me how he likes the number and how it looks on me,” Chark says. “The team loves it. My name went from ‘D.J.’ to ‘Seven’ overnight. ... The team has embraced it, and I embraced it.”

The trend started with Patrick Peterson, who first arrived on campus back in 2008. LSU had boasted plenty of No. 7s in its history, but Peterson was different.

He came to Baton Rouge out of Pompano Beach, Florida, rated as the No. 1 cornerback prospect in the country and a top-10 recruit overall. And he lived up to all the hype.

Peterson played in all 13 games as a true freshman before his breakout sophomore and junior seasons.

By the time he left LSU in 2010, he was one of the most decorated athletes in school history, winning both the Bednarik Award (for the

Patrick Peterson

nation’s top defender) and Thorpe Award (nation’s top defensive back) and becoming the fifth overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2011 NFL Draft.

As Peterson was on his way out, another young, up-and-coming defensive back was beginning to make a name for himself: Tyrann Mathieu.

Mathieu wasn’t as highly rated as Peterson coming out of high school, but he made just as big an impact.

The Honey Badger played in all 13 games as a freshman and wound up finishing first in the conference and fifth nationally with five forced fumbles, while leading the team with seven pass breakups and racking up 57 tackles.

CHRIS PARENT / PHOTOS COURTESY LSU ATHLETICS

Mathieu wore No. 14 that year, but he was gifted the No. 7 jersey by Peterson once he left campus, thus beginning the tradition.

“We’re trying to get a tradition started here with the number 7,” Mathieu was quoted as saying in 2011. “Pat was like a brother to me.

Me getting his number is me giving back to him.”

Mathieu wore it well.

The New Orleans native was one of the most electrifying playmakers in the country, racking up all sorts of school, conference and national records en route to becoming another Bednarik Award winner, as well as LSU’s first Heisman Trophy finalist since 1977.

The No. 7 had just begun to take on a much deeper meaning when things took a turn for the worse.

Mathieu, who was entering his junior season as a Tiger, was kicked off the team prior to the 2012 season

Tyrann Mathieu

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Senior wideout D.J.AS Chark will wearrevision the No. 7requests jersey thisare season.

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for violating the team’s substance abuse policy. His illustrious college career had come to a screeching halt, simultaneously putting a pause on the freshly founded No. 7 tradition.

The number went unworn for two seasons, in part as a sort of remembrance for Mathieu and in part because LSU knew it had a new superstar in the pipeline.

Enter Leonard Fournette.

The number was fitting for Fournette for a number of reasons. He wanted to represent his roots from the 7th Ward of New Orleans where he and Mathieu both grew up, but as one of the most highly touted prospects in recent LSU history, he also wanted to inject some excitement back into the tradition and the program.

The former face of LSU football revitalized No. 7, breaking school record after school record with highlight-reel runs in nearly every game he played.

He saw the potential in Chark from the moment they arrived on campus together, and now he’s hoping he can pass along some of that numerical magic to his old roommate.

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TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

M

ost hallway run-ins with a coworker are pretty forgettable.

Unless you’re Dennis Johnson, in which case an ordinary hall in the Football Ops Building marked one of the most memorable moments of his career.

Johnson, then a graduate assistant, was neck-deep last fall in game preparations for LSU’s matchup with Missouri—the nation’s No. 2 offense at the time. He was walking through the hallway when he (literally) ran into Ed Orgeron,

who had just been promoted to interim head coach. With his new title, Orgeron had begun the process of selecting his team.

“I was walking down the hallway, and he was walking down,” Johnson says. “You can tell he’s happy.

He’s got an emotional look, but a happy emotion. He comes by and he just says, ‘Congrats, new Outside Linebacker coach,’ and he kind of bumps me.”

Not much more was said.

With that bump in the hallway came a bump in position, a bump

BE CHALLENGED REACH HIGHER PUSH FURTHER ® STAY GIANT

Just a few years ago, 28-year-old Johnson was a backup on the defensive line for the Tigers, playing in 19 games and recording 11 tackles.

CHRIS PARENT / COURTESY LSU ATHLETICS

It takes strength and perseverance to succeed in any sport.

in responsibilities and a bump to a full-time role at his alma mater.

“It catches you by surprise,” Johnson says. “You’re a grad assistant. You’re doing your grad assistant stuff. Then in the hallway, you just get turned into the outside linebacker coach.”

It’s a quick ascent to a prominent role for the 28-year-old coach, who began his career as a graduate assistant at Northwestern State in 2012, a year after wrapping up his playing career at LSU. Johnson was a dependable backup for three seasons on the defensive line for the Tigers, playing in 19 games and recording 11 tackles. He made his way back to Baton Rouge as a grad assistant in 2014 after spending a very brief, six-week stint in the cold confines of Kentucky.

“I remember it being so cold,” says Johnson, who is a native of Amory, Mississippi. “There was

snow; there was ice. Then the guys who coached me here, (former LSU defensive line coach) Brick Haley and (former LSU defensive coordinator) John Chavis, they had a spot that came open, and they called me one day and asked if I was ready to come back home. Of course I said, ‘Uh, yeah.’”

Two days later, Johnson was in a U-Haul headed for Louisiana.

It hasn’t taken long for Johnson, affectionately dubbed “Meatball” for his short and stocky stature in college, to make his mark on the program. Johnson was rated as the No. 6 recruiter in the nation by 247Sports as of press time, and he previously held the No. 1 spot for several weeks this summer.

His efforts both on the recruiting trail and the practice field have already caught the eye of some other assistants, many of whom have been around the game far longer than Johnson.

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“He’s fortunate, but deserving,” says LSU defensive line coach Pete Jenkins, the 76-year-old renowned coaching legend. “Coach O is a guy that really rewards loyalty and hard work. It’s a really good break for him, but he’s deserving of it. He’s done a really, really good job in recruiting, and he’s working really hard to become a better football coach. I think he grows as time goes on. I think Dennis is going to be a real good coach.”

He’ll have his work cut out for him in his first full season working with the linebackers after they lost two senior starters in Kendall Beckwith and Duke Riley to the NFL Draft. He’ll be welcoming a crop of four freshmen, who are all expected to make an impact early.

“I feel like the young group as a whole, they’re moving so fast,” Johnson says. “Faster than what I’ve seen from freshmen that I’ve been around. It’s going to be interesting to watch that young group mature as they go at the rate that they’re moving.”

Johnson was rated as the No. 6 recruiter in the nation by 247Sports as of press time.

TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

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TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

Michal Bonnette is LSU’s associate athletic director and communications director.

TIGER

time machine

LSU’s associate athletic director shares his favorite purple-and-gold memories

BY ANDREW ALEXANDER • Photos by Stephanie Landry THE WALL OF Michael Bonnette’s office is like a timeline of LSU football memories.

Bonnette has been the school’s sports information director for nearly two decades, handling much of the players’ and coaches’ contact with the media. Newspaper and magazine clippings displayed in his fifth-floor office in the athletic administration building encompass the entirety of the Tigers’ current gridiron golden era.

The associate athletic director and communications director shares a few of the stories that make up his wall of fame.

TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

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His first Sports Illustrated cover

The Tigers’ 2003 national championship victory produced a pair of Sports Illustrated cover boys, quarterback Matt Mauck and running back Justin Vincent. The two Tiger covers marked the first time LSU landed an SI cover since Kevin Faulk in 1997. “More than anything, I was happy for Matt, because Matt is a great friend to this day and was such a big part of turning LSU football around.”

Photoshoot memory

Bonnette once spent three hours with Leonard Fournette for a Sports Illustrated photo shoot. The magazine rented an antique car from New Orleans and shot the star running back in his LSU gear on the levee, with the Mississippi River serving as the majestic background. Sports Illustrated ended up using just one photo from the extensive shoot.

Favorite human interest story

In the wake of multiple natural disasters in Louisiana, Bonnette recalls how the LSU community responded to Hurricane Katrina and the 2016 flood.

During Katrina, “LSU and our student athletes stepped up,” he says. “The LSU community responded and came to the aid of people who evacuated to campus.” Last August, he adds, gave LSU the opportunity to show that sports extend beyond the playing field, with several athletes, coaches and administrators stepping up to lend a helping hand to neighbors in crisis.

Most requested athletes for interviews

Leonard Fournette was the most requested student athlete Bonnette has worked with, followed closely by Tyrann “The Honey Badger” Mathieu.

Fournette received dozens of requests a day, enough to keep him occupied all day, according to Bonnette. Of the current crop of Tigers, Bonnette says junior running back Derrius Guice’s media requests are increasing by the day.

Bonnette’s office includes a collection of sports memorabilia, such as this football presented to him after LSU won the 2001 SEC Championship and 2002 Sugar Bowl.

His most memorable moment over the past two decades: Winning that national title in 2003 and being part of the special season is something I’ll never forget.

It had been a long time since LSU had that much success in football. To be able to be on that ride and win the title in New Orleans was probably—if not the highlight—one of most memorable that I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of.

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• Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions.

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EARLY GAME 11 a.m.-noon kickoff

Early games are for the Big Ten Conference.

Who needs ’em? Unfortunately, one early game always seems to sneak onto the schedule, and it’s even worse when that early game is in Baton Rouge. Nobody enjoys suffering through the brutal Louisiana heat and humidity at high noon in Tiger Stadium—but who ever said being a die-hard LSU fan was going to be easy?

Keys to success

GAME PLAN How to survive your tailgate, no matter the kickoff time

BY ANDREW ALEXANDER

JORDAN HEFLER

HYDRATE THE NIGHT BEFORE AND GET SOME SHUT-EYE.

TAILGATING IS MORE than a hobby in the Southeastern Conference. It’s practically a religion.

And Baton Rouge is the mecca of college football tailgating.

Hundreds of thousands of tailgaters descend upon the LSU campus each fall, ready to sip and socialize before the Tigers play. Whether you are a tailgate veteran or a rookie, here are a few tips for surviving a long day of tailgating before a nighttime game, or an early morning party before a day game.

It may be tempting to stay out late on Third Street with friends in town for the game. But, trust us—you will not make it past the first quarter if you stay out pounding Crown and Cokes all night.

BUST OUT THE BREAKFAST

Brunch fare is a necessity for early games, so wake up early and break out the bloody marys and mimosas. However, should you find yourself chugging a bottle of Champagne before 10 a.m., you should probably drop any notion of making it to the game.

MIX IN SOME H2O AND ELECTROLYTES

While hydrating is essential during the course of any game-day tailgate, it’s especially vital

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TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

Keys to success

for the early games. In between beer and scrambled eggs, take a few swigs of water or Gatorade to help replenish all the fluid you’ll be sweating out by halftime in Tiger Stadium.

TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS

You’ve got a couple extra hours to tailgate.

Unlike those early-morning games, there’s no need to go full-throttle. If you stayed out at Happy’s or Sullivan’s a little longer than expected Friday night, it’s OK. You don’t need to arrive on campus before the sun is up.

TRIM YOUR TAILGATE PLAYLIST

Early games mean less time to jam out to your favorite tailgate tunes. Compile a concise playlist and be sure to include the unofficial Tiger Stadium anthem, “Callin’ Baton Rouge.”

SNACK EARLY AND OFTEN

Time is of the essence before early morning games, which means no meandering around the Parade Grounds or searching for your buddy tailgating “somewhere by the Natatorium.” Don’t try to hit up too many tailgates. Instead, try “speed tailgating,” in which you’ll tailgate at double the speed.

There’s no time for lollygagging during a game of cornhole. Pick a select few spots to hit, and get in and out of there. On to the next.

MAKE IT TO THE HOME STRETCH

After your belly is filled with several helpings of scrambled eggs and half a case of beer, grab a roadie and head down to catch a sneak peek of the new Mike VII before sweating out all your libations over the next few viciously hot hours in Death Valley.

COLLIN RICHIE

SPEED-TAILGATE

AFTERNOON GAME

2:30-3:30 p.m. kickoff

Though many Tiger fans hate kickoff times that force LSU to play in daylight, afternoon games typically air on CBS, signaling a marquee matchup for the network’s “SEC Game of the Week.” Remember LSU topping No. 7 Georgia in 2003? What about Leonard Fournette single-handedly annihilating the Auburn defense in 2015? It may not be a Saturday night in Death Valley, but afternoon games have still produced plenty of memories for the LSU faithful.

True tailgaters can work up an appetite faster than you can say, “Patrick Peterson was in bounds in 2009.” If you are hosting a tailgate, you need to provide snacks and a solid meal. Jambalaya, burgers or muffaletta trays will suffice.

Stock up on even more snacks to bring out later, when everyone is starting to feel hungry again. They’ll thank you.

FIND THE MIDDLE GROUND

Afternoon games are a delicate balancing act, requiring utmost precision when drinking and eating. Remember, you can always continue the tailgate after the game.

SHOTGUN EARLY, BUT NOT OFTEN

We get it; you know how to guzzle beer with the best of them. If you must channel your inner college student and down cheap light beer, it’s best to indulge earlier in the day to give your body time to process the alcohol before you head into the stadium. If you can count the number of beers shotgunned on

more than one hand, you’ve had enough. Give your body (and your dignity) some time to recover before you head into the game.

NIGHT GAME 6-8 p.m. kickoff

Saturday night in Death Valley is what Tiger fans dream of during the offseason. The atmosphere is unlike any other in college football, as the sun finds its home in the western sky and the well-lubricated crowd becomes hostile toward the Tigers’ foe.

Keys to success PACE YOURSELF

Remember, night games are marathons, not sprints. Don’t drink liquor too early; save the Jack Daniels for right before the real game, not the all-day pregame.

EAT MULTIPLE MEALS

The key to surviving a full day of tailgating (and making it through the game) is to eat at least twice during the day. Grab some Raising Cane’s to soak up the early-morning alcohol, and indulge in a bowl of delicious gumbo later that afternoon.

TAKE A WALK

Night games provide the opportunity to enjoy much more of the pregame atmosphere. If ESPN’s College GameDay is on campus, check

TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

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USE THE BUDDY SYSTEM

If you plan on drinking heavily, never tailgate alone.

Tailgating is meant to be a social endeavor, so why not enjoy it with friends? Look out for your buddies, especially if they look like they have been overserved.

Hand them a bottle of water or a hot dog if they need to pace themselves for a little while.

COLLIN RICHIE

CHANT TIGER BAIT!

out the live taping. Visit your friend tailgating on the other side of campus. Stop by WalkOn’s for some pregame munchies. Watch the Golden Band from Tigerland march down the hill to the stadium. And LSU game days are people-watching gold. The possibilities are endless, and the exercise will help offset all the empty calories you will consume throughout the day.

FIND SOME SHADE

Overheating and dehydration can be lethal during the early portion of the football season.

Don’t be afraid to take a break indoors. Stop by the LSU Student Union for some clean(ish) bathrooms and refreshing air conditioning. While there, grab a bottle of water or Gatorade to replenish all those lost electrolytes.

Featuring

ENJOY THE OTHER GAMES

One of the perks of an LSU night game is getting a chance to watch bits and pieces of all the college football games throughout the day.

If you are feeling tired—or inebriated—grab a lawn chair and catch a few minutes of the rest of the action around the SEC.

Take a break from all the other activities to heckle opposing fans. Shower them with chants of “Tiger bait,” then invite them into your tailgate for a burger and a beverage.

HEAD TO THE GAME

Pack up the tailgate (or at least the valuables), round up your family or friends, and begin your march to Tiger Stadium. Bring along your water bottle for the last few sustaining sips before you get to your gate. Once you’re inside, head to your seat and enjoy the pregame ceremonies. When Coach O and the team charge onto the field, no matter what time of day or night, it’s time to cheer on the Tigers to victory!

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TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

ISTOCK

T

Garden

PARTY

All about the beer garden craze that just might find its way to Tiger Stadium

ALK BEGAN LAST fall that LSU wanted a beer garden in Tiger Stadium in time for this football season. LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva has been a big proponent of beer sales in the stadium, saying it would enhance the fan experience and boost revenues and attendance at games, according to our sister publication Daily Report.

A few obstacles stand in the way, namely SEC rules against selling alcohol at games (you can get away with it in the stadium club and suites, though, which are somehow not part of the stadium). Also, based on online comments for that Daily Report story, the public seems pretty divided on whether beer guzzling is good or bad for the fan experience.

LSU officials have lately been mum about negotiations with SEC brass to find a creative solution to the beer garden conundrum, and they had no updates for 225 as of press time.

But that got us curious about the beer garden trend itself.

The traditional German “biergarten” got its start directly above the underground cellars where early breweries kept their fermenting lagers cold. They planted broad-leafed trees to keep the ground cool, and the shade also attracted local beer drinkers.

Thus, the beer garden was born. One of its largest examples is Augustiner-Keller, opened in 1807 in Munich, Germany, with its vast rows of picnic tables under chestnut trees, giant steins of beer and soft pretzels bigger than your face.

These days, though, use of the term doesn’t

always adhere to tradition, meaning any patio outside a bar with a few chairs can call itself a beer garden.

Corporate Brew & Draft, while a favorite of serious beer drinkers, claims a small fenced-in plot behind its Citiplace shopping center space as a beer garden.

Barcadia outside LSU’s north gates installed an inviting beer garden last year, removing its adjoining parking lot for communal tables and landscaping.

While not labeled as such, Curbside’s sizable gravel courtyard and picnic tables under shady trees makes for a pretty faithful take.

The minds behind Radio Bar have been planning a beer garden on Government Street for a few years now. The few renderings released show something akin to authenticity, with all outdoor seating, grassy areas and plenty of picnic tables. But they still haven’t broken ground as of press time.

As for Tiger Stadium, adding a “beer garden” would require getting creative with the definition. Taking up any open space inside the stadium might mean eliminating seating; along the exterior would mean fencing off areas under nearby stately oaks. There’s also space deep within the bowels of the stadium itself, but that’s the equivalent of a fluorescently lit lounge.

Either way, if a beer garden ever becomes a reality in Tiger Stadium, expect to share that coveted picnic table and soft pretzel with 90,000 of your closest friends. Prost!

—BENJAMIN LEGER

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“(Fish)Eye of the Tiger” by Paul Taylor paultaylorphotog.webs.com Paul Taylor had photographed Tiger Stadium many times before. But when he stopped by to capture this photo, he saw it a little differently.

“As the tiger statue caught my eye, I gave it context by including the entire stadium in the background using a fisheye lens,” he says.

Paul is a Biloxi-born, Baton Rouge-based fine art and commercial photographer. He has been taking photographs since he was a kid, back when his father taught him how to take old-school black-and-white photos.

Email submissions for Picture This to editor@225batonrouge.com.

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TIGER PRIDE 2017 | The passion and pageantry of LSU football

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