FOURNETTE TO MISS CITRUS BOWL AS HIS RECORD-SETTING CAREER COMES TO A CLOSE
FOURNETTE TO MISS CITRUS BOWL AS HIS RECORD-SETTING CAREER COMES TO A CLOSE
BATON ROUGE – Junior running back Leonard Fournette, one of the greatest players in LSU history, will not play against Louisville in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl as he continues to rehabilitate an ankle injury that has lingered for most of the season, LSU head coach Ed Orgeron announced on Friday.
“I want to send a special thanks to Leonard Fournette and his entire family for what he has done for the LSU family,” Orgeron said. “Growing up, Leonard wanted to be a LSU Tiger. He bled purple and gold. His senior year (of high school) he was the No. 1 player in the nation and he chose to play football in his home state at LSU, and for that, as a representative of the Tiger family, we are grateful.
“We are grateful for all the years that Leonard gave us, all the great memories, and all the great games. One of the most dominating performances I’ve ever seen as a coach were his against Auburn (in 2015) and Ole Miss this year. But more than that, Leonard is on track to graduate in May. Leonard was a great teammate, he came to work every day and he was a joy to coach. The players love him, little kids across the country love him and want to be like him.”
Fournette, who originally suffered the injury in August less than two weeks before LSU’s season-opener against Wisconsin, still managed to rush for 843 yards and eight touchdowns in seven games for the Tigers in 2016.
“First of all I’d like to thank God for giving me this opportunity and also Coach ‘O’ (Orgeron) and LSU for the decision to not let me play, because it is the best for my future,” Fournette said on Friday. “I just want to thank LSU for the best experience I’ve had. It was a tremendous feeling getting to come out that tunnel each and every game. It’s a hurtful feeling knowing that we had the season that we had and not getting to play to my full potential.
“Everything happens for a reason. One of the hardest things to do is having to sit out and watch my brothers compete against a great Louisville team (in the Citrus Bowl). I just thank God each and every day for this opportunity. I wouldn’t want to be at another school. In my heart it’s forever LSU. I appreciate everything this school has done for me.”
Fournette, a New Orleans native who was rated as the No. 1 high school recruit in the nation at St. Augustine High School, rushed for 100 or more yards four times in 2016 and briefly held the school’s single-game rushing record with 284 yards in an October win over Ole Miss.
Fournette finishes his LSU career ranked No. 4 in school history in rushing yards (3,830) and rushing touchdowns (40). His 119.7 rushing yards per game is a school-record as his five 200-yard rushing games. Fournette ranks tied for third in LSU history in 100-yard rushing games with 19.
Fournette holds LSU’s single-season records for rushing yards (1,953 in 2015), rushing touchdowns (22 in 2015), overall touchdowns (23 in 2015), 200-yard games (4 in 2015), 100-yard games (10 in 2015), and rushing yards per game (162.8 in 2015).
He’s also the LSU single-game record holder for points (30 vs. Texas Tech, 2015) and touchdowns in a game (5 vs. Texas Tech, 2015).
Fournette was a consensus All-America selection in 2015 as well as being a first team All-SEC pick that year. Despite only playing in seven games in 2016, Fournette earned second team All-SEC honors.
Fournette earned SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors four times during his career, was SEC Freshman of the Week three times and earned National Player of the Week honors for his performance in LSU’s win over Auburn in 2015.
“We know this a tough decision for Leonard, but he has a bright future ahead of himself and the Tiger family wishes him the best,” Orgeron said. “He will always be an LSU Tiger and he will always be in our heart. He will always be one of the greatest players in LSU football history.”
CHRISTIAN LaCOUTURE TO RETURN TO LSU IN 2017
CHRISTIAN LaCOUTURE TO RETURN TO LSU IN 2017
BATON ROUGE – LSU defensive lineman Christian LaCouture announced Thursday that he has decided to remain with the program for another season and will play for head coach Ed Orgeron and the Tigers in 2017.
LaCouture missed all of the 2016 season with a knee injury that he suffered during preseason practice. In his three years on the field, LaCouture has played in 37 games with 23 starts and recorded 86 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
“The last couple of days have been good days for the LSU family,” Orgeron said after practice on Thursday. “Going through your career you get a chance to meet and coach great young men. Some guys will go above and beyond for their football team and Christian LaCouture is one of those guys.
“Christian (LaCouture) had a chance to do something special and through many recruiting talks between the two of us, he decided to remain on our football team next season and we are very excited about his decision.”
LaCouture, who played as a true freshman in 2013, will be a fifth-year senior in 2017.
“Coach ‘O’ (Orgeron), coach (Dave) Aranda, coach Pete (Jenkins), and I have had extensive talks about next year,” LaCouture said. “We had great talks and his plan of bringing in (offensive coordinator) Matt Canada, knowing what he did at Pittsburgh putting up 42 points a game.
“With Coach O and coach Aranda having the great defense we had this year and the excitement around the room and the program, I am excited to be here and be part of this football team for another season. I’m going to do anything that coach ‘O’ asks me to do. I am very excited and very happy for this opportunity. I just want to get back on the field and be a team leader and help us make a run at the College Football Playoffs next year.”
LaCouture has already graduated as he earned his LSU degree in sports administration in the August of 2016. He will continue his pursuit of a Master’s degree through the spring and into next year.
ORGERON NAMES LOUISIANA NATIVE BOBBY APRIL AS SPECIAL TEAMS ANALYST
ORGERON NAMES LOUISIANA NATIVE BOBBY APRIL AS SPECIAL TEAMS ANALYST
BATON ROUGE — Bobby April, a Chalmette, Louisiana native, with an extensive NFL background, has joined the LSU coaching staff as an analyst with a focus on special teams for the bowl season, head coach Ed Orgeron announced on Thursday.
April’s announcement comes on the heels of Orgeron and the Tigers hiring one of the nation’s top offensive coordinators in Matt Canada on Wednesday. Last week, Orgeron announced a new deal along with a promotion to associate head coach for defensive coordinator Dave Aranda.
“We are very fortunate to have Coach April join our staff,” Orgeron said. “He is one of the best special teams coaches in the history of football and our players will benefit tremendously because of Coach April’s knowledge of the game.
“Coach April is a great man and a true Louisianan. He loves Louisiana and from the first time we talked he said he wanted to help his state. It means everything to us to have great people who can be a part of our program like Coach April.”
April, who’s coaching ties to Louisiana include stints at Chalmette High School (1976-77), Tulane (1979), and the New Orleans Saints (1996-99), brings 25 years of NFL experience to the LSU staff. He’s a graduate of Nicholls State where he played linebacker for the Colonels in the 1970s.
During his NFL coaching career, April earned numerous accolades including being named the NFL’s Special Teams Coach of the Year by his peers in both 2004 and 2008. He also helped the St. Louis Rams reach Super Bowl XXXVI.
April’s NFL career includes a most recent stop at the Tennessee Titans, which followed special teams coordinator positions with the New York Jets (2015), Oakland Raiders (2013-14), Philadelphia Eagles (2010-12), Buffalo Bills (2004-09), St. Louis Rams (2001-03), New Orleans Saints (1996-99), Pittsburgh Steelers (1994-95), and Atlanta Falcons (1991-93).
During his extensive NFL career, April coached multiple players to the Pro Bowl, including Bills punter Brian Moorman, who earned two nods in 2005 and 2006. Bills standout and Northwestern State alum Terrence McGee was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2004 after returning a franchise-record three kickoffs for touchdown.
During his 25 years in the NFL, April’s special teams units scored 21 touchdowns, 12 coming on kickoffs and nine on punt returns.
Other standouts that April coached during his NFL career include Deion Sanders, who was twice named to the Pro Bowl under April as a member of the Atlanta Falcons in 1991 and 1992; Rod Woodson, who earned Pro Bowl status as a Steeler under April in 1994; and a trio of kickers Pro Bowl kickers in Philadelphia’s David Akers (2010), St. Louis’ Jeff Wilkins (2003) and Atlanta’s Norm Johnson (1993).
April also spent 13 years as a college assistant coach, working for USC (1987-90), the University of Arizona (1980-86), Tulane (1979) and Southern Mississippi (1978).
April played linebacker at Nicholls State and entered the coaching ranks as an assistant coach at his high school alma mater Chalmette from 1976-77.
April and his wife, Charlene, have five children, a son, Bobby, and four daughters, Julie, Jamie Lee, Angela and Jaclyn.
LSU TABS MATT CANADA AS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
LSU TABS MATT CANADA AS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
BATON ROUGE – LSU head football coach Ed Orgeron today announced the hiring of Matt Canada as the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Tigers, another step in the process Orgeron and vice chancellor and director of athletics Joe Alleva have stated is crucial to their plans for the program.
“When I first sat down with Joe Alleva and we mapped out a plan for LSU football, we agreed that we were going to demand excellence on both sides of the ball,” said Orgeron. “We want a defense that’s impenetrable and an offense that’s exciting and unstoppable. Anyone who wants to play football at the highest levels is going to want to play at LSU.”
Canada, who was the only offensive finalist for the Broyles Award this year as the nation’s top assistant coach, joins the LSU staff after spending the 2016 season at Pittsburgh, where as offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, he guided a Panther offense that ranked No. 10 in the nation in scoring (42.3) and averaged 447.5 total yards per game. The Panthers also led the nation in redzone touchdown percentage at 82 percent.
“We have a real opportunity under Coach Orgeron to propel LSU football to another level,” Canada said. “The chance to put together a high-powered offense with the athletic ability available at LSU and the leadership of Coach ‘O’ is incredibly exciting. I’ve long-respected Coach Orgeron’s ability to recruit, lead and motivate. What he did as head coach at LSU under difficult circumstances was really impressive. I’m thrilled to be a part of the vision for the program.”
Orgeron and Alleva have spoken openly and at length about their plan and process for making LSU football a championship-caliber program year after year. Alleva said the two looked far and wide at candidates for the job. Both say the search led them to Canada, who fits their plans exactly.
Alleva and Orgeron said the decision wasn’t only about bringing serious firepower to the LSU offense and reiterated their goal is excellence in all things related to student athletes.
“We want coaches who will represent this program with integrity, who recognize that character is as important as wins,” said Alleva. “We want coaches who pay attention to every detail and hold these young student-athletes accountable, on and off the field.”
“Coach O and Joe have been very clear about what they expect,” said Canada. “With the talent already here and what we will recruit, we can put together one of the best offenses in the country. We’re going to develop quarterbacks, score points and bring some excitement to the offense here at LSU. And of course, we’re going to do it the right way – the LSU way.”
Canada comes to LSU with 25-years of coaching experience with stops at North Carolina State (2013-15), Wisconsin (2012), North Illinois (1998-2003; 2011) and Indiana (2004-10).
At Pitt, Canada’s 2016 offense scored 76 points in a win over Syracuse to cap the regular season and the Panthers also beat Big 10 champion Penn State, 42-39, and topped second-ranked Clemson, 43-42. Pitt is the only Power 5 team in the nation to score at least 28 points in every game this year.
The Panthers recorded an 8-4 mark in 2016 and will play in the Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 28 against Northwestern in Yankee Stadium.
While at North Carolina State, Canada helped develop quarterback Jacoby Brissett into a third round NFL Draft pick and helped the Wolfpack to back-to-back bowl games in 2014 and 2015. In 2015, the NC State finished third in the ACC in scoring with 33.5 points a game.
Prior to joining the NC State staff, Canada served an integral role in leading Wisconsin to the 2012 Big Ten championship and earning a trip to the Rose Bowl. The Badgers won the conference championship by defeating Nebraska 70-31 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
During that season, the Badgers finished No. 12 nationally in rushing offense and running back Montee Ball won the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back. Ball also earned first team AP All-American honors while wide receivers Jared Abbrederis and left tackle Rick Wagner earned consensus first team All-Big Ten honors. Tight end Jacob Pedersen was name the Big Ten tight end of the year while center Travis Frederick also earned first team All-Big Ten.
At Northern Illinois, Canada helped lead the Huskies to the 2011 MAC title and a berth in the GoDaddy.com Bowl. Starting quarterback Chandler Harnish earned Mid-America Conference MVP honors and was picked in the seventh round of the NFL Draft.
Canada broke into coaching as a student-assistant at Indiana. He later served as a graduate assistant at Indiana from 1994-1995 and coached at Butler University from 1996-1997.
Canada earned his B.A. in Business (1993) and M.A. in Sports Administration (1995) at Indiana University.
Canada is from New Palestine, Indiana. He has one daughter, Tori, and a son, Chris.
Canada’s deal is pending approval from the LSU Board of Supervisors.
Houston promotes Applewhite, opens the gate for Kiffin to LSU
Houston promoted Applewhite to Head Coach. Looks like Lane Kiffin is off to LSU. Kiffin’s contract is up at Alabama and he will seek out new adventures. LSU Coach Orgeron said he would hire the best offensive coordinator in the country, well there you go it’s a done deal unless Oregon hires Kiffin, as of now LSU looks to be the front runner for the Lane Kiffin sweepstakes. Imagine Lane Kiffin goes to LSU and goes into Tuscaloosa, Alabama next year and Knocks off the CrimsonTide, beating his former boss Nick Savan, that would ripple shockwaves all across the south. That would make a incredible matchup and story lines for next year. Kiffin vs Saban, and Kiffin prevails with LSU.
Well we gonna have to wait til next year to figure this one out, and it’s a wait and see to see if Alabama wins a second national championship.
Three LSU Players Named To SEC Coaches’ All-Freshman Team
Three LSU Players Named To SEC Coaches’ All-Freshman Team
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – LSU nose tackle Ed Alexander, linebacker Devin White and punter Josh Growden were named to the 2016 SEC Coaches’ All-Freshman Team the league announced on Thursday.
Selections to the team are made at every position, as Alexander was one of five selections along the defensive line, White one of three linebackers and Growden being the lone punter selected.
Alexander played in all 10 games in his debut season on defense, recording 12 tackles with a half sack. He had a tackle in eight of the 10 games he featured in, having at least two in games against Auburn, Southern Miss, Ole Miss and Florida.
Another in a long line of Australian punters, Growden averaged 41.9 yards per punt on 51 punts this season, with nine punts of 50 or more yards and 20 being inside the 20-yard line. In the thrilling win over Mississippi State, Growden had two punts of 60 yards at 65 and 61 in being named the SEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Week in the process, as his longest of the season was a 68-yard punt against the Golden Eagles.
White saw action in all 11 games for LSU, recording 25 tackles, with 12 on the solo end and 13 assisted. He had two tackles for loss, forcing and recovering a fumble as well, recording a season-best six tackles against Southern Miss. White really made his mark on special teams where he recorded 10 tackles, the second most for any LSU player and only one of two to have double-figure tackles in the category, getting four against Arkansas.
LSU takes on the Louisville Cardinals on December 31 at 10 a.m. CT in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
Californians visiting Baton Rouge, and enjoying the food and culture.
I ran into some really cool Californians from the Pleasanton area, being a Uber Driver I tend to meet a lot of people. I told them about one of the best dishes in Baton Rouge, that would be the Crawfish or Shrimp Etouffee, amazing dish, and to visit the LSU Chimes on highland road .
We had a fun conservation about football and sports at LSU and the tradition of LSU Football, tailgating and watching football at Tiger Stadium which seats 102,000 people, they were very surprised. Well Kathy and friends enjoy the food, culture and history in Louisiana, enjoy your time. Be sure to comeback for a LSU football game during the season, and make sure it’s on a Saturday night…
New Orleans legend RB Joe McKnight shot to death over road rage
Former New York Jets and USC Trojan Joe McKnight has been shot and killed at the age of 28. The police showed up on the scene and tried to give CPR, McKnight stopped breathing seconds later. I remember going to USC games when Joe McKnight was a USC Trojan, it was said he was the next Reggie Bush. LSU, Alabama and the rest of the country highly recruited Joe McKnight but USC won the high stakes. The city of New Orleans is in mourning tonight because they lost one of their sons.
Special Teams Coach Peveto Was dismissed from the team
A starenent from Coach Orgeron.
“We appreciate Bradley Dale and the work he put into this program. However, at this time we have decided to move in a different direction with our special teams.”
The LSU Special teams have been struggling for the last 2 or 3 years so LSU Football decided to go in a different direction by letting Mr. Peveto go, he was a very good recruiter, which is very good, recruiting is good, but you have to coach the special teams, like the punt and kickoff returners, the kickers, the punters and the kickoff and return team. LSU has been fumbling the ball quite a bit and fielding the ball inside the 10 yard line, you never field the ball inside the 7 or 5 yard line, you are supposed to let the ball go. I played receiver but never fielded punts, I grew watching Billy White Shoes Johnson field punts, I saw him jump over 2 players and run a punt back for 75 yards. Johnson was a very good returner didn’t matter pints or kickoff . I think a lot of LSU punt or kickoff specialists want to make big plays but you have to catch the ball first, that was a big problem for Donte Jackson vs Florida where he fumbled a punt on the 15 yard line, it only led to 3 pts and LSU could of still won the game.
The LSU kicker Colby delahoussaye needs to get the ball airborne up , up, up, if he wants to play on Sunday’s or make sure LSU is a contender next year. If Colby goes an watches some film on NFL kickers, you need to get under the ball and lift it high over the line of scrimmage to get 3 points, you can’t send a projectile over the line of scrimmage or like in the Alabana game the big defender will bat it down.
Coach Orgeron needs to go out and hire a Special Teams Coach, seems like he is putting the right pieces of the puzzle together, the next piece will be hiring a offense coordinator, Lane Kiffin, if he comes available. The offensive coordinator is a big piece, LSU had a decent O coordinator and only lost 2 games what’s gonna happen if they get someone back there serving up plays left and right. I believe that will be the biggest piece of the puzzle for the Tigers. What surprises me is the past LSU Coach thought he was the offensive coordinator amazing. Coach Orgerons success will be base on who comes in as Offensive Coodinator, if they put up a lot of points, LSU defense can hold the other opponents to a couple of touchdowns. The future remains to be seen at LSU, we are gonna have to wait for the New Year 2017.
Active shooter killed on the Ohio State Campus, 8 people shot
There was a active shooter on the Ohio State University, 8 people have been shot, 1 person in critical condition, the other 7 are in stable condition. As they are taken to the hospital. The University is cover by 19 acres of land. 60,000 students were told to run, hide and fight if they come across this active shooter. Some students are on a lock down, students are hiding out in bathrooms, the swat team is on the scene. The police surrounded the active shooter and killed the person. The shooting took place after Ohio State had a big win over Michigan on Saturday.