Schiefelbein: Tigers eager to get back on field

• By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Nov 12, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Marlon Favorite grew up a big Saints fan. So this wasn’t a good gridiron weekend for LSU’s senior defensive tackle from Harvey.

First, there was the mind-numbing and body-aching blow of a 27-21 overtime loss to top-ranked Alabama in Tiger Stadium. Then, he had to watch the Saints fall 34-20 at the rival Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, his day off.

“I’m not the happiest person right now, but you have to move on,” Favorite said.

Moving on puts LSU working during what was supposed to be its last open week of the regular season. The Tigers were supposed to be recouping, win or lose, from a grueling grudge match of a game against Alabama and getting ready to close out with Ole Miss and Arkansas.

Saban Bowl II was every bit as demanding — physically and emotionally — as expected. But now, because of Hurricane Gustav, LSU doesn’t have the week off. The Tigers have to play Troy on Saturday night in a game postponed from Sept. 6.

So what would be better, resting after such a draining game or getting back on the field after a loss?

Said LSU coach Les Miles, “Honestly, I’m glad to play. I want to play on Saturday. I think our team will, too.”

Said tight end Richard Dickson, “That was one of our best games we’ve played this season. Keep it going while we’re playing good.”

The Tigers beat Auburn 27-14 on Dec. 1, 2001, in a game postponed by the dastardly events of Sept. 11.

And because of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, they won 35-31 at Arizona State in a game moved from Baton Rouge to Tempe on Sept. 10 and beat North Texas 56-3 on Oct. 29 in a game moved from Sept. 3. In a game moved from a Saturday to a Monday after Hurricane Rita that year, they fell 30-27 in overtime to Tennessee, the first game in Tiger Stadium after Katrina.

“At the back end of the season, you want to give your guys’ legs some rest,” Favorite said. “Unfortunately, we can’t. Now, it’s just, ‘Let’s go finish this season. Three games in a row. Let’s get it popping.’”

At 6-3, the defending national champ already has more losses than any of the previous three seasons under Miles. The Tigers play now for their legacy and a better bowl bid.