11/20/09 5:55 am CST

Good morning, Tiger Fans. I hope all of you have a great Friday and a great weekend.

The LSU football team will be leaving Baton Rouge today en route to Oxford, Mississippi. I think that most Tiger fans have gotten past the poor performance against LA Tech and are now feeling better about LSU's chances against Ole Miss.

I think that in order for LSU to win the game they will have to control the tempo of the game from the very start and not have to play catch-up. The first five minutes of each half will be very important, especially the first five minutes of the second half. LSU has not fared very well to start second halves of games when receiving the second half kick off.

Here is my comparison of the two teams, position-by-position:

QB: Even, if Jordan Jefferson is at full speed. Jevan Snead of Ole Miss is a very good quarterback when he has time to throw the ball. The key for LSU stopping Snead will be forcing him to throw on the run.

RB: Advantage Ole Miss with Dexter McCluster and Brandon Bolden. LSU will need for Keiland Williams and Russell Shepard to have 25 touches between the two to offset Ole Miss' production.

OL: Advantage Ole Miss, but not a huge advantage. Ole Miss can be beat on the corners. LSU's offensive line matches up decently against the Ole Miss defensive line without Greg Hardy.

WR/TE: Huge advantage LSU. Ole Miss' best wide receiver is Shay Hodge. Brandon LaFell, Terrance Tolliver and Rueben Randle match up very well with Ole Miss' defensive backs.

DL: Slight advantage Ole Miss because of defensive ends Kentrell Lockett and Marcus Tillman who are great at rushing opposing teams' quarterbacks.

LB: Even. Kelvin Sheppard, Jacob Cutrera and Perry Riley have come on strong the last four games. Ole Miss has two very physical linebackers in Patrick Trahan and Allen Walker.

DB: Huge advantage LSU because of Patrick Peterson. Ole Miss' defensive backs have great speed but are on the short side.

Special Teams (including punting, kick returns, FG/PATs and kick coverage teams): Advantage LSU. Josh Jasper has been very accurate on field goal kicking and has a slightly stronger leg than Ole Miss kicker Joshua Shene who might be more accurate on mid-range field goals. Ole Miss has a dangerous kick and punt returner in Marshay Green, but I give Trindon Holliday the edge.

DD picks LSU 34-32.

LSU headquarters for the game is the Marriott Hotel, 2625 Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Memphis.

The LSU-Ole Miss series has been a very colorful series with some great games. Below are several of LSU's most memorable wins. I hope you enjoy these short recaps:

1958 LSU 14 Ole Miss 0
LSU is #1 in one poll going into this game, but the Rebels are actually a 3-point favorite going into the game. In the first half, Ole MIss drives deep into LSU territory and has 4 cracks from the LSU 1 yard line and the Tigers stop them. LSU scores before the half and adds another score to win, thanks to Warren Rabb and Durel Matherne.

Oct. 31, 1959 LSU 7 Ole Miss 3
This one is a no brainer. Ole Miss dominates this game throughout until Billy Cannon runs back an 89-yard punt return for a touchdown. The Rebels drive down and are stopped on the LSU 1 yard line as the game ends. LSU would be pounded by the Rebels on New Year's Day in the Sugar Bowl later that season.

1961 LSU 10 Ole Miss 7
Ole Miss came into Tiger Stadium ranked #1 in the nation, but an inspired Tiger Team rallied with a second half touchdown by Wendell Harris. Paul Dietzel said "I hope the boys on the 1958 and 1959 teams forgive me, but this is the greatest win I have ever been associated with."

1964 LSU 11 Ole Miss 10
Ole Miss would only finish 5-4-1, but the Rebels were still respected. They were ranked #1 in pre-season polls. This was the height of the Rebels football prowress nationally. With the exception of the Archie Manning years, Ole Miss was never the same after this year. LSU was down 10-3 when Buster Brown lined up to punt with 7 minutes left in the game, but Doug Cunningham fumbled the punt and the Tigers took the ball drove for a touchdown as Billy Ezzell connected with Billy Masters for a touchdown and then connected with Doug Moreau for the 2 point conversion. LSU held off one last Rebel drive to preserve the victory

1970 LSU 61 Ole Miss 17
Most of the nation saw one the first night games televised in Tiger Stadium as LSU and Ole Miss squared off for the SEC Title. Archie Manning broke his wrist 3 weeks earlier in 24-13 win over the Houston Cougars. The Rebels were beaten by Mississippi State a week earlier without Manning. Archie courageously played in this game, but he was no match for an inspired Tiger team. Ole Miss actually jumped out to an early 7-0 lead and were up 10-7 in the 2nd quarter, but the Tigers began their onslaught with a TD pass from and a punt return by Tommy Casonova and safety as they sacked Manning in the end zone for a 23-10 halftime lead. Casanova would get another punt return for a touchdown and Craig Burns added another along with a long run by Art Cantrelle and touchdowns by Ken Kavanaugh Jr., and Jimmy Ledoux and a field goal for the 61-17 win. The fans stormed the field as the Tigers accepted a bid to the Orange Bowl that year and they celebrated LSU's first SEC Title since 1961 and their first outright one since the National Championship year of 1958

1972 LSU 17 Ole Miss 16
LSU was a prohibitive favorite going into this game, but an inspired Ole Miss team lead the Tigers 16-10 with a little more than 3 minutes to go in the game. The Tigers began an 80-yard drive as Bert Jones marched them down the field. He completed a key 4th down pass to Jimmy Ledoux to keep the drive alive and Brad Boyd missed LeDoux on an end around pass with less than a minute to go. LeDoux dropped a Bert Jones Pass with 1 second to go in the game. Ole Miss fans could not believe that time did not run out on the play because their were 4 seconds left as the play began. Bert Jones lofted a touchdown pass to Brad Davis, which Davis said he lost in the lights. That made the score 16-16. Rusty Jackson added the PAT for the victory. LSU would go to 7-0 for the first time since 1959, but would meet the Alabama machine the following week in Birmingham and suffer a 35-21 loss, which was not as close as the score indicated. The Tigers would finish 9-1-1 that year, but only garner an invitation to the Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl which they lost to Tennessee 24-17. Ole Miss would be absent from the bowls for many years after that season.

1973 LSU 51 Ole Miss 14
LSU jumped all over the Rebels for their first win in Jackson over the Rebels since 1934. Brad Davis rushed for many yards and the Tigers passed at will inlcuding a halfback pass. LSU would go to 8-0 and would be 9-0 before losing to Alabama 21-7 on Thanksgiving night. The Tigers would still earn an Orange Bowl invitation against Penn State, but would suffer a 14-0 loss to Tulane that year. LSU would lose to Tulane 31-28 in 1982 when they next went to Orange Bowl.

1987 LSU 42 Ole Miss 13
LSU was ranked in the Top 5 and was a prohibitive favorite as they journeyed up I-55 to Jackson for this renewal of a once great rivalry in Southern Football. Ole Miss had shocked the Tigers the previous year in Baton Rouge by a 21-19 score. LSU was looking for a little payback and Tommy Hodson waisted little time as he hit Wendell Davis for a long touchdon. Ole Miss responded with a score of their own to knot things up. LSU went back ahead and Ole Miss added a field goal to make the score 14-10 in LSU's favor at the half. Ole Miss would complete a long pass to open the 2nd half. The Rebels were inside LSU's 5 yard line, but the Tigers held and Ole Miss only was able to muster a field goal. With the score 14-13, Tommy Hodson marched the Tigers down for a score, but he suffered an injury as he threw a touchdown pass and had to leave the game. LSU added 3 more touchdowns for the final margin of victory. Hodson hobbled out of Jackson on crutches. His time was limited the next week against Alabama. The Tide shocked the Tigers 22-10 in Tiger Stadium and thoughts of a National Championship ended that night.

1993 LSU 19 Ole Miss 17
LSU fell behind the Rebels, but fought back to take a 2-point lead late in the game. Ole Miss drove deep into Tiger territory and lined up for the game winning field goal attempt. 7 years earlier, LSU missed a field goal attempt in a similar situation to lose by two. This time Ole Miss suffered the same fate as Curley Hallman was able to silence the critics for one more week.

2000 LSU 20 Ole Miss 9
LSU ventured to Oxford to face a team they had not beaten since 1996. LSU was a 4-point underdog in this game, but were primed to upset the Rebels. LSU lead 7-6 in the 3rd quarter and added a touchdown to go up by 8 points. The Rebels responded with a field goal to close the gap, but Josh Booty hit Josh Reed with a key pass to the Rebel 2 yard line and the Tigers scored to go up by 11. LSU held off an Ole Miss drive and the Tigers ended the Rebel's 3-game winning streak in the series. LSU would crack the Top 25 for the first time in 2 years with the win.

In baseball news, LSU has wrapped up Fall practice. It appears that LSU head coach Paul Mainieri is very happy with the progress made by the team the last five week. Below is information from Bill Franques of the Baseball Sports Information Office.

Shortstop Austin Nola’s two doubles and a solid outing by left-hander Chris Matulis clinched the LSU Baseball Purple-Gold World Series title for the Gold team, as it posted a 5-3 win over the Purple Thursday at Alex Box Stadium. The Purple-Gold World Series is a three-game intrasquad series that concludes LSU’s five-week fall practice session.

“I think we’ve had a very productive fall, and we’ve learned a lot about our team,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri, who directed the Tigers to the 2009 College World Series title. “I was very pleased with the way our players competed in the scrimmages; there was a lot of energy and enthusiasm in a spirited environment.

“I’m very confident that we will have an excellent pitching staff and an outstanding starting nine. The only area of concern right now may be our depth, but I feel like we have players who will continue to develop and fill important roles on the club.”

Nola, a Baton Rouge native, led the Gold team offensively in Thursday’s game, going 2-for-2 with two doubles, two walks, an RBI and a run scored.

Centerfielder Mikie Mahtook also had a single and scored twice for the Gold squad in the seven-inning contest.

Matulis, a sophomore from Boynton Beach, Fla. earned the win for the Gold, as he pitched three innings and allowed only two hits, while striking out two. Junior right-hander Anthony Ranaudo had a solid performance for the Purple squad, as he pitched three innings and allowed only two hits while striking out five.

The Purple team was led offensively by first baseman Blake Dean, who went 2-for-3 with two singles and an RBI.

The Gold team wasted no time getting on the board in the first inning when Nola’s RBI double scored Mahtook to give it an early 1-0 lead.

The Purple squad responded in the bottom of the frame when Dean singled home outfielder Trey Watkins to tie the score at 1-1.
Later in the inning, the Purple team took a 2-1 lead when left fielder Matt Gaudet hit a deep sacrifice fly to center, scoring outfielder Johnny Dishon, who singled earlier in the inning.

In the third inning, Nola led off the inning with a double and advanced to third on an error. He later scored on sacrifice fly by second baseman Mason Katz to tie the score at 2-2. On the same play, Micah Gibbs crossed the plate on a throwing error from the outfield to put the Gold squad up 3-2.

The Gold team added to its lead in the fourth inning when Mahtook scored on a wild pitch by freshman left-hander Zach LaSuzzo to make the score 4-2.

In the fifth inning, the Gold added to its lead when first baseman Wes Luquette scored after a deep fly ball by Gibbs to right-center was caught by a diving Dishon. The Gold team held a 5-2 advantage at that point.

The Purple team rallied in the bottom of the seventh, loading the bases and plating one run on a walk to Gaudet, making the score 5-3.

Sophomore right-hander Joey Bourgeois worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh, retiring Grant Dozar and Beau Didier to seal the victory for the Gold.

LSU opens the 2010 season on February 19 versus Centenary in Alex Box Stadium. Players begin individual workouts in January, and the Tigers’ first full-squad practice is on February 1.

“We’re definitely looking forward to re-convening in January,” Mainieri said. “I think our fans can expect another very exciting season.”

GAME 2 OF PURPLE-GOLD WORLD SERIES ENDS IN 1-1 TIE

Game 2 of the LSU Baseball Purple-Gold World Series ended in a 1-1 tie on outstanding pitching performances from both squads Wednesday at Alex Box Stadium. The Purple-Gold World Series is a three-game intrasquad series that concludes LSU’s five-week fall practice session.

The third and final game of the series will be held Thursday at 3 p.m. in Alex Box Stadium. The Purple squad must win by at least four runs Thursday to capture the series, after falling 5-2 in Tuesday’s game. Run differential determines the champion of the Purple-Gold World Series.

Purple starter Austin Ross, a junior from Shreveport, La., went four innings Wednesday, allowing one run and striking out six, while Gold starter Daniel Bradshaw pitched three innings, and allowed only one run while striking out five.

“Pitching was great today,” said LSU head coach Paul Mainieri. “The real story was the relief pitching. (Freshman left-hander) Jordan Rittiner did an outstanding job for the Gold squad. (Senior right-hander) Paul Bertuccini was his typical self and knows how to pitch in the clutch.”

Sophomore Grant Dozar, a native of Morgan City, La., led the offense for the Purple team, as he went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles.
Junior catcher Micah Gibbs went 1-for-1 with a single and two walks for the Gold squad.

The Gold took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning after junior transfer Kyle Koeneman singled home sophomore Austin Nola, who doubled earlier in the inning. Koeneman, a transfer from Walters State (Tenn.) Junior College, finished 1-for-3 with an RBI and saw action in left field for the Gold.

The Gold held the Purple scoreless through the first two innings before senior Matt Gaudet’s RBI single in the third brought home sophomore Johnny Dishon to tie the score at 1-1.

The remaining four innings were marked by outstanding relief pitching from both teams. Rittiner, a native of Metairie, La., threw an impressive four innings for the Gold, allowing no runs on one hit while striking out six.

Bertuccini, also a product of Metairie, threw three solid innings of relief for the Purple, allowing no runs and striking out two.

Reader comments: We are currently re-establishing the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chapter of the LSU Alumni Association. The Chapter has been dormant since Hurricane Katrina. We welcome all alumni, former students, supporters, or just plain fans of LSU residing along the MS Gulf Coast. Any "Coast Tigers" interested in joining should contact Jeff Bertucci by phone at (228) 388-7441 or email at coastlsu@gmail.com for more information. GEAUX TO HELL OLE MISS!

On a personal note, I am going to take today off and go fishing with my son Scott and grandson John. It will be a short trip and will probably be my last chance to get out and enjoy the outdoors until Spring. Thanks to all of you for your readership and support.

11/19/09 5:55 am CST

Good morning, Tiger Fans. Last night I listened to the Les Miles radio talk-show. Coach Miles and Jim Hawthorne started by recapping LSU's lackluster win over LA Tech then took a look at the upcoming game against Ole Miss. The Ole Miss series has been a very colorful series and LSU holds a 55-38-4 advantage. LSU has won six of the last seven games played by the two teams including four in a row at Oxford.

Before going to the phone lines, Miles acknowledged that LSU might have taken LA Tech for granted but did say that LSU played great in the second half overcoming trailing 13-10 and holding Tech to less than 100 yards total offense. Miles gave credit to Keiland Williams for gaining over 100 yards rushing in the homecoming win and said that Jarrett Lee played well and made good decisions.

Miles did say that Ole Miss is a very good football team and that LSU would have to be at the top of their game to win. Miles said that Ole Miss is a very well balanced team between the run and pass and said quarterback Javon Snead and Dexter McCluster have gotten LSU's attention.

When asked for an injury update, Coach Miles said Jordan Jefferson, Richard Dickson and T-Bob Hebert have practiced all week and will start against Ole Miss unless something unforeseen takes place. Miles also said that Charles Scott would be able to practice with the team for the bowl game and hopeful will play in it.

Tim called and asked about Russell Shepard's future. Miles' reply was that Shepard is bigger and faster than Dexter McCluster of Ole Miss and is being counted on to contribute more in the future as a RB/QB/WR. Miles thinks that Shepard has a great future at LSU as well as Ruben Randle.

Dean from Mobile called to tell the coach thanks for winning the game and told the coach that people he talks to love him and hope he is at LSU for many more years.

David called and wanted to know if LSU would see more of the option in the future with Shepard and Ridley. Miles' reply was that he likes the option but expects LSU to pitch and run a little more in the future.

Wayne called and said that LSU matches up talent-wise with any team and wanted to know why LSU keeps losing big games. Miles' reply was that he thought the team would be a little further along but believes they will make great strides at Ole Miss Saturday night.

Tim called and said that LSU tanked last year after losing to Alabama and asked what can be done to make sure that does not happen again. Miles said he does not like the word tanked and that the team did not tank. He said LSU fought like hell to get better after losing to Alabama in 2008.

Tim also asked Miles if he would consider hiring a quarterback coach to work with the young quarterbacks. Miles' reply was that Gary Crowton is a great coach and is doing a great job.

Jeannie from the live audience said that she was very embarrassed last Saturday night with the fans were booing the players and coaches. Jeannie also congratulated Coach Miles for winning 22 straight non-conference games. Jeannie asked if being a four-point underdog made a difference in the way the team practices. Miles said he does not pay any attention to the people who predict games and could not imagine anyone having LSU as the underdog.

Raggio from the live audiences sent word to Tiger fans to support the team and if you want to boo stay home. Raggio also asked about the cheap shot by a La Tech player on Terrence Tolliver. Miles' explanation was that LSU called the SEC office who called the WAC and left it up to the WAC to take action. The WAC did suspend the payer for the first half of LA Tech's next game.

The Evil Twin mentioned that Lavar Edwards started the LA Tech game over Rahim Alem and asked if Edwards would start against Ole Miss. Miles' reply was that Alem would start against the Rebels.

Tom called and said that LSU's offensive line was near the top in the nation in allowing quarterback sacks and the defensive line was near the bottom in recording sacks. Miles said the offensive line would have played much better if the running game had been better earlier in the season, and said the defensive line was playing outstanding football.

Josh from Bastrop called and said he would like to see Rueben Randle more involved in the offense. Miles' reply was that Randle is making great progress and had a bright future at LSU.

Matt wanted to know if there was any change in the offense depending on whether Jarrett Lee or Jordan Jefferson was in the lineup. Miles' reply was not really, but they would run a little more with Jefferson in the game.

The above information is not a word for word transcript of what was said, but I believe it is a pretty good summation.

A win over the Rebels and Arkansas would make LSU a strong candidate to play in the Capital One Bowl against a Big 10 team, most likely Penn State. A split of the Ole Miss-Arkansas games might still put LSU in the Capital One Bowl. Should LSU lose to the Rebels and Arkansas, the Tigers would finish the season 8-4 which is perhaps good enough to earn a Cotton Bowl bid against Oklahoma State, or a bid to play in the Chick Fil-A Bowl. Of course, that is just my opinion and I could be off the mark with my predictions.

In basketball news, the LSU Lady Tigers defeated a very good Middle Tennessee team 63-40 last night at the PMAC. I did not get to listen to the game, but I know it was a rewarding win for Van Chancellor and the Lady Tigers who had lost two in a row to Middle Tenness.

In high school football news, in the first round of the playoffs I went 63-17 with my predications, which is not as good as in the past few years. There were a lot more upsets than anytime I can recall doing my high school picks. There will be several great games played this week in the second round.

Below are my picks for week two:

Class 5-A
Rummel 35 Jesuit 7
Barbe 28 Hahnville 26
South Lafourche 28 Westgate 20
Central 48 Ouachita 20
Acadiana 24 Shaw 20
Catholic BR 17 Comeaux 14
Thibodaux 28 St. Pul 20
West Monroe 21 St Aug. 20
Class 4-A
Franklinton 35 Bastrop 7
Cecilia 21 Benton 14
Salmen 21 Breaux Bridge 20
Vandebilt Catholic 17 Karr 14
Lutcher 36 St Louis 14
Huntington 27 Haughton 20
Northside 28 Jennings 20
Neville 27 McDonogh 7
Class 3-A
Notre Dame 34 North DeSoto 7
Rayville 21 Holy Cross 14
Redemptorist 28 Eunice 20
Catholic New Iberia 27 Bogalusa 13
E.D. White 28 Richwood 7
Amite 21 Independence 13
Patterson 28 St James 26
Parkview Baptist 44 Crowley 13
Class 2-A
John Curtis 45 Opelousas Catholic 7
Winnfield 21 Riverdale 20
Farmerville 35 Ferriday 27
St. Charles 35 Springfield 8
Capitol 44 Newman 13
Menard 24 Jonesboro – Hodge 20
Many 34 Lake Arthur 14
Evangel 55 Calvary Baptist 13
Class 1-A
St. John 42 Ouachita Christian 13
Westminister 34 Grambling 7
Delhi Charter 21 Gueydan 20
Haynesville 28 White Castle 20
Oak Grove 28 St. Mary 14
West St. John 35 Block 27
Oberlin 21 St Frederick 13
South Plaquemine 55 Varnado 7

Reader comments: The Panhandle Bayou Bengals will host a Watch Party Saturday November 21st at Shooter's Sports Bar in Cordova Lanes (850-477-2300), 2111 Airport Blvd., Pensacola. The Tigers play the Ole Miss Rebels with the kickoff at 2:30pm. Saturday's Watch Party has been designated as our annual "Dandy Don Night" in honor of Don Long who hosts this website, dandydon.com. Don, through his website, has steered many a member to our Chapter and watch parties over the years. We will recognize him at our Ole Miss Watch Party with all proceeds for the nights raffle dedicated to him to show our appreciation. The Panhandle Bayou Bengals challenges other chapters and booster clubs to do the same. All LSU Fans and Friends are welcome! For more information call: 850-206-7981 or email: at LSUPanhandle@hotmail.com

Reader comments: LSU Alumni Chapter San Antonio presents a Bayou Bengals Football Viewing Party @ The Lion & Rose Pub @ 700 E. Sonterra Blvd. in Stone Oak. 210-798-5466. Join LSU Alumni, along w/fanatic Tiger fans & friends of LSU for great Fighting Tigers Football 2009. Saturday, November 21st, 2:30 PM (CT) Kick-Off. Tigers & Ole Miss Rebels battle in Oxford, MS. HUGE GAME TIGERS! We welcome all members of Tiger Nation to come & watch LSU Fighting Tigers Football televised live on CBS-TV. Wear your Purple & Gold. The Lion & Rose Pub presents a FREE RAFFLE! Each Tiger fan at every Viewing Party will have a chance to have his/her tab paid for by the Lion & Rose Pub! Come & cheer on the Bayou Bengals, meet & make new friends. Geaux Tigers!

11/18/09 5:55 am CST

Good morning, Tiger fans. The LSU football team is working very hard to turn in its best performance of the season Saturday afternoon at Ole Miss at 2:30 (CBS). The Tigers played perhaps their worst game of the season last Saturday against LA Tech and would like to get that empty feeling out of their system against the Rebels.

In my opinion, the Tigers are capable of beating the Rebels, but it is going to take their best effort of the season on offense because Ole Miss is going to score early and often. The most points LSU has scored in a single game this season against an SEC opponent is 31 against Auburn and I believe they will have to score more than that to beat Ole Miss. LSU will welcome the return of Jordan Jefferson this week and with a good game plan I believe LSU will have a very productive day on offense.

If the LSU offense comes alive like I believe it will, the Tigers will still have their hands full trying to slow down the high powered Rebel offense led by Brandon Bolden, Dexter McCluster and quarterback Jevan Snead. Everyone is afraid of McCluster and they should be, but if LSU only keys on him Bolden and Snead will have a huge game. In Ole Miss' seven wins this season, Bolden has averaged 5.3 yards per carry compared to 2.1 when they lose. In the Rebel's seven wins, Snead has completed 61 percent of his passes, but in the three games they lost (South Carolina, Auburn and Alabama) he only completed 37 percent. McCluster will get his yards and that is alright if the Tigers can hold him to less than 125 yards and do a decent job slowing down Bolden and Snead.

Ole Miss runs the Wildcat formation that gave LSU trouble last week against La Tech. LSU is going to have to play very physical each time Ole Miss goes to this formation. Quarterback Snead goes in motion when McCluster is in the Wildcat formation and is not a threat to catch the ball, but LSU will have to be very physical with Snead when he is lined up as a receiver. The key to the success to the Wildcat formulation is the center because he calls out the line calls. I would like to see LSU play heads-up on the Rebels' center, try to time his snaps and knock him backwards a few times, even if it risks having encroachment called. I would like to see Drake Nevis or Josh Downs line up on the Rebels' center.

In recruiting news, things are slow and with only three or four more scholarships to give and two and a half months before signing day I expect things to continue to be on the slow side. I do know that at least one prospect, running back Alfred Blue, will chose between LSU and Ole Miss and will be visiting Ole Miss this coming weekend.

Below are my college picks for this week. Last week I went 26-5. My season record is 259-87.

LSU 34 Ole Miss 32
Tennessee 35 Vanderbilt 13
Georgia 35 Kentucky 24
Florida 45 Florida International 7
Alabama 45 Chattanooga 0
Arkansas 35 Mississippi State 21
Notre Dame 24 Connecticut 20
TCU 35 Wyoming 13
Texas 45 Kansas 13
Boise 37 Utah State 14
Ohio State 34 Michigan 17
Miami 34 Duke 14
Houston 31 Memphis 17
Oregon 24 Arizona 14
Iowa 34 Minnesota 17
Utah 28 San Diego State 13
Oklahoma State 34 Colorado 21
Texas Tech 34 Oklahoma 31
Baylor 24 Texas A&M 20
Penn State 28 Michigan State 13
Virginia Tech 35 North Carolina State 20
Wisconsin 31 Northwestern 20
Air Force 31 BYU 27
South Florida 21 Louisville 14
Clemson 33 Virginia 28
Stanford 34 California 27
Fresno State 45 La Tech 20
McNeese State 35 Central Arkansas 14
Southeastern 33 Nicholls State 14
Stephen F. Austin 28 Northwestern State 22
UCF 45 Tulane 28
ULM 35 ULL 28
FSU 35 Maryland 16
Oregon State 45 Washington State 7
Nebraska 28 Kansas State 13

In basketball news, LSU defeated Western Kentucky 71-60 and with the win will be spending Thanksgiving week in the Big Apple. They will be playing UCONN one week from today at Madison Square Garden. I am very surprised and very happy at how well the team has played in their first three games, and I am looking forward to the remainder of the season.

Western Kentucky scored on the first pocession of the game to take a 2-0 lead, but LSU went on a 6-0 run to take a 6-2 lead and led 10-4 with 15:00 to play in the half. Western Kentucky went on a 9-0 run to take a 13-10 lead but then LSU went on an 8-0 run to take a 18-13 lead on two three-point baskets by Bo Spencer and a basket by Tasmin Mitchell. Western Kentucky went on a 10-4 run to take a 23-22 lead with 4:00 to play in the half, but LSU battled back and took a 29-27 lead on a driving lay up by Storm Warren with nine seconds to play in the half. Western Kentucky hit a three-point shot at the buzzer to take a 30-29 lead at intermission. Storm Warren led LSU in scoring in the first half with 12 points. Bo Spencer finished the first half with eight points. There were six ties and three lead changes in the first half.

The second half started with Storm Warren scoring on a slam dunk to give LSU a 31-30 lead. The lead changed hands four times before Bo Spencer hit a three-point shot to make it 37-34 LSU. Western Kentucky fought back to take a 45-44 lead with 11:56 to play and then later increased the lead to 55-52 on a long three-point shot. Dennis Harris came back with a three-point shot of his own to tie the game at 55-55.The game was tied 57-57 with 3:37 before LSU went on a 10-0 run and increased the lead to 67-57 with 1:10 remaining, and that was the ball game.

I am very happy for Coach Trent Johnson and the entire team that only has two seniors. I have really enjoyed listening to the LSU games on the radio the last two nights. The addition of Ricky Blanton to the broadcast team of Jim Hawthorne and Kevin Ford is a breath of fresh air. Blanton was an All-SEC player at LSU and was the head coach at Nicholls State for at least one year.

A few stats: LSU shot 46 percent in the game making 24 of 51 shots. LSU shot 33 percent from three-point range making five of 15. The Tigers made 18 of 23 free throws for 73 percent. LSU was led in scoring by Bo Spencer with 28 points including four three-point shots. Storm Warren scored 20 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. Tasmin Mitchell scored 12 points and pulled down eight rebounds. Dennis Harris scored nine points including a huge three-point shot to tie the game with four minutes remaining.

GOLD DEFEATS PURPLE, 5-2, IN FIRST GAME OF FALL BASEBALL WORLD SERIES

Catcher Micah Gibbs and shortstop Austin Nola drove in two runs each to lift the Gold team to a 5-2 victory over the Purple in Game 1 of the Purple-Gold World Series Tuesday in Alex Box Stadium.

The Purple-Gold World Series is a three-game intrasquad series that concludes LSU’s five-week fall practice session. Game 2 is set for 3 p.m. Wednesday and Game 3 starts at 3 p.m. Thursday. The seven-inning games are open to the public, and admission is free. The Gold collected seven hits in Tuesday’s contest, including a two-RBI double by Gibbs. The junior from Pflugerville, Texas was 2-for-3 at the plate with a walk. Nola, a sophomore from Baton Rouge, also contributed a two-RBI double for the Gold squad.

Right-hander Ben Alsup, a junior from Ruston, La., earned the victory for the Gold, limiting the Purple to one run in four innings with six strikeouts.
Sophomore right-hander Joey Bourgeois, a transfer from LSU-Eunice, pitched two scoreless innings to earn the save for the Gold.

“I thought it was a pretty crisply played ball game despite the chilly weather,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri. “Alsup delivered a solid performance as a starter, and I was very pleased with the pitching overall.” Senior first baseman Blake Dean, who is returning from off-season shoulder surgery, was 2-for-4 with a double for the Purple squad.

“it was great to see Blake swinging the bat the way he did today,” Mainieri said of the all-American from Crestview, Fla. “He seems to be progressing very well in his recovery from the surgery.” Mainieri said junior right-hander Daniel Bradshaw will start Game 2 on the mound for the Gold squad, and the Purple will counter with junior right-hander Austin Ross.

Reader comments: Mr. Don, Could you please help out the Saints Fans in North Louisiana and post this web link. http://www.kmsstv.com/which-game-should-we-air-nov-22 KMSS Fox 33 is having a contest as to which football game will be shown on the 21st Saints or Dallas. The contest ends tommorrow and Saints are behind.

Reader comments: Reminder: The popular LSU and You show with LSU analysts Charles Hanagriff, airs Thursday's from 11am (CST) on ESPN1420 in the Acadiana area and via the web at http://www.espn1420.com. Call in # is (337) 269-1077 or email any questions for the show atsportsnote@hotmail.com. I am sure that Charles Hanagriff will have plenty to say about the officials in the LSU- Alabama game.

Reader comments: The Little Rock Chapter - LSU Alumni Association will be watching the LSU/Ole Miss on Saturday, November 21, at 2:30 pm, on CBS, at Boudreaux's Grill & Bar,9811 Maumeller Blvd, NLR. You do not need to be an LSU Alumni or belong to the LSU Alumni Association to join us, simply be a LSU Fan. For more information you can email: lsualumnilr@yahoo.com