Countdown to Showdown: 25 Days
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MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM 2007
‘Red Alert Roxie’ rocks
The expressions on the coaches’ faces told it all: Les Miles’ smile that turned into a broad grin and Steve Spurrier’s half grin-half smirk told the football world, LSU and Miles “You got me on that one.”
The play was a fake field goal, a flip over the shoulder from quarterback-holder Matt Flynn to soon-to-be record-setting place-kicker Colt David.
LSU was at the left hashmark and set up for a 32-yard field goal.
The position on the field, the time left in the first half, the length of the field goal, the alignment of South Carolina’s defense were factors that prompted special teams coach Bradley Dale Peveto to suggest to Miles that “Red Alert Roxie,” a play LSU practices regularly but never used in a game, would work.
Still, Flynn had to make the call and when he saw S.C.’s defense line up, he yelled “Roxie.”
Flynn took the snap, David took off running to open field on the right, Flynn lobbed the ball, David took the pitch on a dead run, and Jacob Hester, the blocker on the right side was looking for someone to block. It was the first TD for the former soccer player at Dallas’ Grapevine High.
How well did the fake work?
“I couldn’t find anybody to block,” Hester said. “I had to go find someone, so the coaches wouldn’t mess with me when we looked at it on film.”
The 15-yard TD run sent the Tigers to a 21-7 halftime lead in the 28-16 win: ESPN’s replays etched the play into the minds of college fans across the country.
It was among the five plays listed in the Pontiac Game Changing Performance of the Year.
“They got me, you’re right,” Spurrier said. “… Executed it very well. It worked perfect. Obviously when they work, it’s a good call.”
David’s postgame reaction: “My greatest fear was falling down. It was wet out there and I didn’t want to slip.”
Vote for the most memorable moment of 2007
Advocate sportswriters have selected 20 memorable moments from LSU’s march to the BCS Championship Game, from the 45-0 win over Mississippi State through the 21-14 SEC Championship Game victory over Tennessee. This series will run through Jan. 1 when readers will be able to go to The Advocate’s Web site — http://www.2theadvocate.com — and vote on their most memorable moment of the season. The voting results will be run in Jan. 7 Advocate Sports’ BCS Game Day Special.
TIGERS’ SCHEDULE
Today: Players taking final exams.
Friday: Players taking final exams.
“Les Miles has done a heckuva job. This will be his crowning achievement. They’ve beat some darned good teams.”
-- Paul Dietzel, LSU head coach 1955-1961, 46-24-3
Paul Dietzel’s kinship with Les Miles and Jim Tressel goes beyond the common string that binds college coaches.
All three men were raised in the same area, a corner of Ohio known better for football than almost anything else.
“This game holds a strange twist for me,” Dietzel continued. “I have so few friends coaching today, but one of the guys I know is Jim Tressel. I’ve known him since he was a boy.”
That’s because Dietzel, while the offensive line coach — Vince Lombardi was the backfield coach —for legendary coach Earl “Red” Blaik at Army, recruited his home state, including visits to Mentor High where Lee Tressel, Jim Tressel’s father, coached.
“Jim Tressel’s a very fine man. His dad was a great fellow and we’ve remained pretty good friends. Jim did a great job at Youngstown State and when Ohio State settled on him, I knew they had a coach who will do a fine job,” Dietzel said.
“I’ve had to remind Jim, as much as I like him, that the (Tigers) stripes go pretty deep. There’s no doubt who I’m pulling for.”
BUCKEYES’ SCHEDULE
Today: Jim Tressel news conference, practice.
Friday: practice.
“It’s going to be a heckuva game … two good football powers, two good schools with great fans.”
Earle Bruce, Ohio State head coach 1979-1987, 81-26-1
Earle Bruce has seen enough football to know his assessment of the BCS Championship Game is on the money.
He coached Ohio State. His 1987 Buckeyes challenged the mystique of Tiger Stadium and returned to Columbus with a 13-13 tie.
Back in Tiger Stadium in 1992 with Colorado State, his Rams won 17-14.
Bruce’s ties to LSU go deeper.
“My first coaching job was at Mansfield, Ohio (High) under Bill Peterson,” Bruce said. “When (Paul) Dietzel got the job at LSU, Bill was so anxious to be on that staff that he told me he’s run all the way to LSU to get there,” Bruce said. “After that, I followed Dietzel’s career … the Chinese Bandits, then to Army, then to South Carolina.”
Back in Columbus, Bruce is involved in Buckeyes football with a weekly call-in radio show and pregame and postgame shows.
“Playing for a national championship is tops in college football,” Bruce said. “Both teams will hit hard and fight like the devil, because it means so much to be first and not second.
“This is what you like to see for those who appreciate the game of football and appreciate good football played by good football teams.”
BREAKING DOWN THE SHOWDOWN
WIDE RECEIVER
Early Doucet
6-1, 206, Senior
St. Martinville
All-SEC second team in 2006, started first two games, then sat out four games this year (injury) and started last 6; began season with 9 catches vs. Miss. State; scored 2 TDs in win over Alabama; 35 catches, 321 yards and 2 TDs since return from injury; passed 35 yards to quarterback Matt Flynn vs. Alabama; leads LSU with 50 catches (474 yards, 4 TDs)
Career: 153 catches, 1,892 yards, 19 TDs
“I think guys that make plays breed other guys that make plays. I think when
Early steps into the huddle, he has a feel that we all enjoy.”
-- Les Miles
Brian Robiskie
6-3, 196, Junior
Cleveland
Biletnikoff Award Top 10; Top games: 9 catches, 153 yards vs. Youngstown State; 3 TDs vs. Northwestern; long catch 68 yards (TD) vs. Washington; caught passes in 24 straight games; 13 catches of 20 yards or longer this season; team-leading 50 catches, 885 yards, 10 TDs; started all 12 games; son of former LSU All-SEC (1976) running back Terry Robiskie
Career: 80 catches, 1,281 yards, 15 TDs
“To watch my son jump up and catch a touchdown against Penn State, nothing in the world matches that.”
-- Terry Robiskie
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