LSU appointed Matt Lee newly appointed interim as President at LSU

Welcome to "Built to Win." In this edition, learn about:
• Matt Lee, LSU's newly appointed interim president
• Why an LSU astrophysicist says we should all care about the universe's origins
• How a student-athlete and dedicated daughter is realizing her dreams
• A student project that could protect children from hot car deaths
• How LSU and a guide dog named Taupe helped a new grad find success
• A new Master’s in Public Health being offered on the Baton Rouge campus
LSU wins 10-6 over Little Rock, Big night for Frey, 5-5 Hernandez 2 homeruns, The Bear hits 2 run shot too, and Evan’s 12 strikeouts,
Amazing comeback for LSU as they fell behind 5-1, Ethan Frye gave LSU the lead, 1-0 before the Trojans scored 5 runs. Most of the Trojans run production was in the 2nd inning, Cano, who had 14 RBI’s in 5 games in baton regionals, gets on base, comes around on a single by Chaplain, Martin scores, as well as Willbanks. We don’t know why the NCAA made LSU the visiting team again…Top of the 4th, LSU has bases loaded, Ethan Frey steps up bounces a double of the center wall and clears the bases, now it’s a 5-4 game. In the 6th inning LSU Hernandez steps up ties the game with a home run, Miliam lines a single bringing in Frey home to give LSU the lead 6-5, all this time Evan’s is on the mound striking out everything that moves…. At one point Evan’s struck out 8 Little Rock players, 8 in a roll… amazing. Evan’s finished with 12 strikeouts on the night. If Johnson would of started Evan’s, LSU would of kept the Trojans scoreless, just saying…
The hitting continues for LSU as Hernandez hits his 2nd home run of the game giving LSU a 7-5 lead. Top of the 9th brown gets on base, Jared Bear Jones comes up and cranks one out for 2 run blast, as LSU takes a 9-6 lead, same inning Hernandez still hitting the ball well, hits a single and brings in Stanfield, as LSU takes the lead 10-6. Eyanson already relieved Evan’s, pitches 2 innings as LSU closes out a real pesky bunch from Little Rock Arkansas…. Definitely we are glad to see them packing and going home, that Little Rock team was something else, just kept pecking away until LSU put them away. LSU off to the super regionals to take on West Virginia…. LSU came really close to getting knocked out of the tournament, let’s see if they go on to win it all now. With Frey, Jones and Hernandez swinging for the fences and Anderson, Eyanson, and Evan’s pitching really good, there’s not a team in the country that could beat LSU…
LSU gets upset by Little Rock, 10-4, final game setup tonight in Baton Rouge
LSU gets upset by Little Rock, 10-4, final game setup tonight in Baton Rouge… what a devastating loss for the LSU baseball team. LSU had a 3-0 lead, and let Little Rock squeak back into the game, making it 3-2. Trojans Cano went 2-5, double, two run shot, and next inning, base loaded, hits a double and clears the basis. Cano had 5 RBI’s. Very upsetting loss if you are a LSU Fan… the good news after 5 games, Little Rock had no more pitchers left, they used them all.
LSU will probably use some relievers to start and they have Shores too, maybe they can bring in Eyanson for a few innings…. I think Little Rock is done today, it might be batting practice for LSU tonight, because the Trojans have no more arms to throw. Final game of the regionals starts tonight at 8pm central time.. Big production from Freshman Curiel tonight 3-4, scored 1 run, Hernandez and Miliam both went 2-3, they only produced 4 runs for LSU totaled… LSU better bring their bats tonight….or it’s gonna be lights out …. Holy smokes…. The big news of the weekend Vanderbilt no.1 RPI, which doesn’t matter, lost, Texas is gone too, upset by USTA of San Antonio….beat Texas again, Longhorns who hasn’t really beat anyone on the road this year, funny how Texas lost at home… lol. Florida lost too, Kentucky is gone, Georgia is gone, the major powerhouses for the SEC are done except Arkansas, Tennessee and LSU. We can’t call Auburn a powerhouse in baseball, actually maybe just basketball and they still lost this year. The SEC had 13 teams in, actually Arkansas and Auburn punch their Super Regional tickets. Tennessee, Ole Miss, Oklahoma and LSU have to close out today to advance to the Super Regionals, Oklahoma probably has the biggest task taking on North Carolina in Chapel Hill…. Geaux Tigers
LSU Tigers 7 Little Rock 0, Eyanson blanks the Trojans.
LSU Tigers shutout the Little Rock Trojans, Junior right-hander Anthony Eyanson fired 7.2 scoreless innings Friday night, and second baseman Daniel Dickinson blasted two home runs as top-ranked LSU posted a 7-0 shutout victory over Little Rock in Game 1 of the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional in Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field. Eyanson struck out 7 as this game had 3 rain delays and didn’t start until 7pm.
LSU will face Dallas Baptist today. Dallas Baptist beat Rhode Island late last night 6-2 early in the morning…The Patriots get to face LSU ace pitcher Nate Anderson, probably the best pitcher in College Baseball…. Anderson usually averages 12 strikeouts a game….
LSU’S NUSSMEIER AND SWINSON EARN SEC PLAYER OF WEEK HONORS
BATON ROUGE – LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and defensive end Bradyn Swinson have been recognized as SEC Players of the Week for their performance in Saturday’s 34-17 win over UCLA in Tiger Stadium.
Nussmeier, a junior from Lake Charles, earned SEC Offensive Player of the Week accolades, while Swinson was named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week. For Swinson, it’s the second consecutive week he’s earned conference honors. Last week, Swinson was tabbed as SEC Defensive Player of the Week for his play in the win over South Carolina.
Against UCLA, Nussmeier completed 32-of-44 passes for 352 yards and three TDs in the victory. He guided the Tigers on back-to-back scoring drives of 96 and 92-yards to open the second half, extending the LSU lead to 31-17.
Nussmeier guided the Tigers to points on six of their eight possessions, including all three in the second half when LSU outscored the Bruins, 17-0.
With the game tied at 17-17 at halftime, Nussmeier went 18-of-24 for 188 yards and a 35-yard TD pass to Caden Durham. He finished the game with a career-best 32 completions, which ties for the third-most in LSU single-game history.
Through four games, Nussmeier leads the nation in completions (113) and he’s No. 2 in passing touchdowns (13).
Swinson was the catalyst for an LSU defense that held UCLA to only five first downs and 65 total yards in the second half. Swinson had five tackles, forced a fumble and recorded a pair of sacks in the LSU victory.
As a unit, LSU tallied five sacks for the second straight game and limited UCLA to only 14 rushing yards for the contest. Swinson currently leads the nation in sack yards (-45) and ranks No. 2 in total sacks (5).
EMILY DIXON NAMED LSU’S DIRECTOR OF LETTERWINNER ENGAGEMENT
In her new role, Dixon will oversee LSU’s National L Club and all functions for the group, serve as the primary contact for letterwinners, manage membership for the organization, and serve as the liaison for the L Club Executive Board.
In addition, she will direct the LSU Athletics Hall of Fame Committee through the selection process for new inductees, and as well as coordinating LSU’s Tribute Graduation Ceremony for student-athletes each fall and spring.
Dixon previously served as Chief of Creative Content as well as Executive Director of Creative Content.
In that capacity, Dixon oversaw all creative video for LSU Athletics, including social media, website, in-venue productions, and television shows. The Creative Content Department, one of the top in college athletics, works hand-in-hand with all sports across campus to showcase student-athletes, coaches and staff and bring fans behind the scenes of LSU athletics.
Dixon was part of the Sports Business Journal’s “Best in Sports Social Media” team in 2020, and the video department has been featured in numerous articles gaining national recognition from media outlets across the country.
Dixon also served as LSU’s in-house reporter, where she conducted weekly interviews with football head coach Brian Kelly, current football players, and former Tigers in the NFL, including Joe Burrow, Tyrann Mathieu, Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, and Devin White.
Dixon also produced features and interviews with student-athletes and head coaches for various sports, which were seen on LSU Athletics’ social media channels and streamed on the LSU GOLD platform.
Dixon originally served as the Coordinator of Offensive Operations for the LSU Football team from 2012-2020 before being promoted to the Executive Director of Creative Content in the spring of 2020. While in college, Dixon began her LSU career as a student with the LSU football team.
Before returning to Baton Rouge, Dixon was a sports anchor and reporter at KNOE-TV in Monroe, La., where she would shoot, edit, produce and anchor weekly sportscasts.
NABERS SHINES AT LSU PRO TIMING DAY
BATON ROUGE – Malik Nabers further enhanced his case as the top wide receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft with a time of 4.35 in the 40-yard dash and a vertical leap of 42-inches as LSU held Pro Timing Day at the Charles McClendon Practice Facility.
In all, 13 Tigers took part in the Pro Timing Day which was held in front of all 32 NFL teams, including six head coaches. Over 150 media were credentialed for the event with NFL Network, ESPN and SEC Network broadcasting portions of the day live. The NFL Network will have a one-hour show dedicated to LSU Pro Timing Day tonight from 7-8.
“We had a lot of national television here – NFL Network, ESPN- getting that type of notoriety for LSU and our football program certainly is very good for your program and how your move forward relative to recruiting,” LSU coach Brian Kelly said. “Our young guys get to see what it’s like, it’s a job interview in many ways and how you need to prepare for that job interview. I think our guys did a great job of preparing for that job interview.
“Finally, the entire country got a chance to see elite players and what that looks like. LSU has done a great job over the years of developing elite players and you got to see that today.”
Nabers, a unanimous All-America and runner-up for the Biletnikoff Award, dazzled scouts with his performance that also included a leap of 10-feet 9-inches in the broad jump. He did 15 reps on the 225-pound bench press.
Nabers heads into April’s NFL Draft as one of the top two receivers in this year’s class. His results on Wednesday could vault him into a top five pick and the first receiver selected.
“Physicality and ability to separate from great players, there has to be something you look for,” Kelly said of Nabers. “When you watch film, you see him separate from great players in the SEC. Today you saw a 42-inch vertical and a 4.3 (40-yard dash). This ability to separate on the field is now backed up by the physical prowess you see with a 42-inch vertical and a 4.3 (40-yard dash).
“It validates what you see on film and that it’s backed up by great physical traits. I think what it does more than anything else is that it shows he can separate with the ball in his hands, he can be explosive after the catch. Now it comes down to ‘who is the kind of guy who you want to get the ball in their hands’. I don’t think there’s a better receiver in the country.”
Heisman Trophy quarterback Jayden Daniels went through a 58-play passing script that included Nabers, Brian Thomas, Greg Clayton along with underclassmen in Kyren Lacy and Mason Taylor. Daniels only participated in the position workouts as did Thomas, who ran a 4.33 40 at the NFL Combine earlier this month.
Other highlights in the 40-yard dash for the Tigers include safety Andre Sam with a time of 4.53, linebacker Omar Speights at 4.62, and edge rusher Ovie Oghoufo at 4.65.
Speights led all players in the bench press with 30 reps, followed by defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo with 28, offensive lineman Charles Turner with 22 and defensive lineman Maason Smith with 21.
Next up for the Tigers is the NFL Draft, which takes place April 25-27 in Detroit.
SEC ANNOUNCES LEAGUE FOOTBALL SLATE FOR 2025 SEASON
BATON ROUGE – The Southeastern Conference announced the scheduling format for the 2025 football season on Wednesday.
Similar to the 2024 SEC football schedule, in 2025 teams will play eight league games plus one required opponent from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 or major independent.
SEC schools will play the same league opponents in 2025 that they are scheduled to face in 2024. LSU will host Arkansas, Florida, South Carolina and Texas A&M in Tiger Stadium in 2025 and will travel to face Alabama, Ole Miss, Oklahoma and Vanderbilt.
LSU’s non-conference games in 2025 has the Tigers traveling to face Clemson on August 30 followed by home games against Louisiana Tech on September 6 and Western Kentucky on November 22.
“Continuing with our current format for the 2025 season provides additional time to understand the impact of the changes happening around us as we determine the appropriate long-term plan for SEC football scheduling,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey.
The full schedule of dates of games for the 2025 football season will be announced at a later
time.
The 2025 schedule format was approved by a vote of the SEC Presidents and Chancellors last
week following a recommendation from the league’s Athletics Directors.
The 2025 season will be the second year that the SEC Championship Game will feature the top
two teams in the 16-team Conference standings at the end of the regular season. Beginning with the 2024 season, the SEC will eliminate divisional standings
3 FORMER LSU TIGERS IN SUPER BOWL ON SUNDAY; LSU SUPER BOWL STREAK AT 23
BATON ROUGE – Three former LSU Tigers – Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Neil Farrell, and Ty Davis-Price – will look to win a Super Bowl ring on Sunday when the NFL’s championship game takes place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Kickoff for the contest is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. and will be televised on CBS.
LSU has had at least one player on the roster of teams competing in the Super Bowl for 23 consecutive years, which stands as the longest current streak in college football. LSU’s streak dates back to January of 2002 when running back Kevin Faulk made the first of five Super Bowl appearances for the former LSU All-American.
Edwards-Helaire and Farrell are key contributors for the Chiefs, while Davis-Price is on the practice squad for the 49ers. All three of LSU’s Super Bowl LVIII participants were part of the school’s 2019 national championship.
Edwards-Helaire will be making his third appearance in the Super Bowl, while Farrell and Davis-Price are playing in the game for the first time. Edwards-Helaire is 1-1 in Super Bowls, winning a ring last year in the 38-35 victory over the Eagles. The Chiefs fell to Tampa Bay in Edwards-Helaire’s first Super Bowl appearance in 2021.
In Super Bowl LV against Tampa Bay, Edwards-Helaire started at running back and led the Chiefs in rushing with 64 yards on nine carries. He added two receptions for 18 yards.
In program history, 47 former Tigers have combined to win 57 Super Bowl rings. Faulk has three Super Bowl rings to lead all former LSU players.
Eight former LSU players have won two Super Bowl titles – Rohan Davey, Randall Gay, Jarvis Green, Tory James, Leonard Marshall, Booger McFarland, Spencer Ware and Corey Webster all won pair of Super Bowl titles.
Faulk’s five Super Bowl appearances are the most of any former Tiger, followed by linebacker Roy “Moonie” Winston, who played in the game four times with the Vikings in the 1970s.
Following Sunday’s Super Bowl, the next regular-season football game scheduled to be played in Allegiant Stadium features LSU and Southern Cal on Sunday, Sept. 1.
The kid from San Bernardino, Ca. Jayden Daniels wins 2023 Heisman Trophy
A well deserving season for Jayden Daniels as he captures the 2023 Heisman Trophy. Jayden becomes the 2nd college player to throw for 10,000 yards and run for 3000 yards during his college career as a quarterback.
This year as the LSU quarterback Daniels threw for 3800 yards, 40 tds, and only 4 interceptions, quarterback rating 95.7. The last 2 games vs Georgia State and rivals Texas A&M he contributed 10 touchdowns, pretty amazing athlete.
As Daniels gets ready for the NFL definitely a 1st round draft pick should be selected in the top 10. Next game for Jayden and the LSU Tigers will be in Tampa Bay for the ReliaQuest Bowl taking on Wisconsin, going out with a bang as a LSU Tiger.