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Countdown to Showdown: 23 Days

  • By JOE MACALUSO AND JAY MARTIN
  • Advocate staff
  • Published: Dec 15, 2007

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    • MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM 2007

    Tigers overwhelm Hokies

    Ultimately, LSU’s 48-7 win over Virginia Tech was a major factor in securing the Tigers’ BCS Championship Game berth.

    LSU and Virginia Tech finished with conference titles and 11-2 records, but the nationally televised Sept. 8 game left an impression.

    As it should have: The Tigers scored on drives covering 87, 85, 67, 76, 87 and 94 yards and rolled up 598 yards — 297 running, 301 passing.

    The defense allowed 149 yards.

    LSU unveiled its version of The Pistol, a formation that coincided with coming-out parties for running back Keiland Williams and wideout Brandon LaFell.

    Williams ran seven times for 126 yards and scored on a 67-yard run.

    LaFell caught seven passes for 125 yards.

    LSU’s most complete 2007 victory came with a price. Starting quarterback Matt Flynn injured an ankle in the first half. Backup QB Ryan Perrilloux went 5-of-5 passing for 84 yards and 2 TDs.

    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.

    The list so far:

  • Fake field goal vs. South Carolina
  • Six interceptions vs. Mississippi State
  • Tigers overwhelm Virginia Tech

    • 2theadvocate.com's Countdown to the Showdown Archive

    BCS TRIVIA

    TODAY’S QUESTION: What bowl game decided the first BCS champion? The winning team? Losing team? The score?

    FRIDAY’S QUESTION: What school has been to the most bowl games? Alabama, 54 bowls, record 30-21-3

    TIGERS’ SCHEDULE

    Today: Players taking final exams.

    Sunday: Off.

    “I’m proud of this group of guys. They just kept fighting and showed a lot of heart. They just kept stepping up.”

    -- Bo Pelini, LSU defensive coordinator

  • The Tigers’ 34 takeaways rank in the top five in country.
  • Although surrendering 132 points in its last five games, including 50 points to Arkansas in the 3 OT loss, LSU is 20th in the nation allowing 19.6 points per game.
  • LSU is 9th in passing defense (180.8 yards per game) and 14th in rushing defense (103.1 ypg); the combination sends LSU to third in total defense at 283.9 yards per game.
  • LSU’s defensive numbers rank first, second or third in the SEC.
  • LSU has had 18 different starters on defense this season. Injuries have cost the Tigers one starter in every game since the third game of the season.
  • First-team All SEC linebacker Ali Highsmith has had at least one tackle in 39 straight games. Next is All-American tackle Glenn Dorsey with 29.
  • Middle linebacker Darry Beckwith has two interceptions during the past two seasons, one each season, and both were against Tennessee.
  • LSU’s first defensive score of the season came when Jonathan Zenon intercepted Tennessee’s Erik Ainge. Zenon’s TD was the difference in LSU’s 21-14 win in that SEC Championship Game matchup.

    • BUCKEYES’ SCHEDULE

    Today: Off.

    Sunday: Off.

    “Fortunately we have the defense that we do.”

    -- Jim Tressel, after 24-17 win over Michigan St.

  • The Buckeyes stand tallest on defense, first nationally in scoring defense, passing defense and total defense.
  • The respective numbers are 10.7 points per game, 148.2 and 225.3 yards per game.
  • Add in the No. 3 rushing defense — 77.1 ypg — and the Buckeyes are far and away the national leader in the total defense.
  • The Buckeyes allowed 11 TDs all season and gave up TDs in eight of their 12 games
  • In its 11-1 season, OSU had 66 three-and-outs on defense, which set records for their opponents’ punting records. Akron (14) and Purdue (12) set school records for punts in game when they played the Buckeyes this year.

    • BREAKING DOWN THE SHOWDOWN

    LSU’S CARNELL STEWART

    6-5, 320, Sr.

    River Ridge

    A first-year starter … moved from defense to offense before 2006 season … played 97 percent of LSU’s 920 offensive plays, a team high … best game: 7 knockdowns and pancake block vs. South Carolina.

    “He’s come miles since the first game.”

    -- Greg Studrawa, LSU line coach

    OSU’S KIRK BARTON

    6-6, 300, Sr.

    Massillon, Ohio

    Team captain … started 7 games in redshirt freshman season and all but 3 games in last three seasons … missed those three with knee injury … AFCA All-America … AP third team All-America … All-Big Ten last two seasons.

    “I wear a Big Ten (championship) ring. But it reminds me of failure. I want the big one.”

    --Kirk Barton


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