Fans show support for LSU

LSU took a much-needed day off from the practice field on Sunday, but it was anything but an off day for the team as the Tigers spent the day meeting with the media and fans as part of the school’s annual Media Day and Fan Day.

Nearly 100 members of the media from across the state and the region converged on campus as head coach Les Miles along with offensive coordinator Gary Crowton and defensive coordinator Bo Pelini conducted a press conference with the media.

Following the coaches press conference, members of the media then met with the Tigers, spending an hour with the team doing such things as conducting interviews and taking pictures of the squad.

After media day, the Tigers and the coaching staff headed to Tiger Stadium where they were greeted by approximately 6,000 fans as part of fan day.

The players and coaches spent over an hour with the fans, taking pictures and signing autographs.

&#8220This was a day that’s good for the players and the fans,” LSU coach Les Miles said. &#8220We needed the day off after eight straight days of practice. We had a high-intensity scrimmage on Saturday it was good to use today as an opportunity to get our legs back under us.

The turn out at Fan Day was great. It’s nice to be able to spend time with, talk to and take pictures with our fans. We understand how passionate our fans are and I know that our team enjoys being able to interact with them.”

First Scrimmage

On Saturday, LSU held its first scrimmage of the fall and was highlighted by Matt Flynn’s 34-yard touchdown pass to Early Doucet, Stevan Ridley’s 64 yards rushing and Kirston Pittman’s three sacks.

The scrimmage lasted almost 100 plays and featured the first and second units each going live for 18 plays followed by approximately 20 snaps that were &#8220thud” (no tackling to the ground) in nature.

The remainder of the scrimmage featured special teams, which included all phases of both the punting and kicking games.

Other phases of the game that the Tigers spent time on during the scrimmage included the two-minute drill as well as the goal line offense.

&#8220We had a good workout,” LSU coach Les Miles said following the scrimmage.

&#8220It’s what we needed at this point. We need the heat, and we need to be in the stadium. Considering it was the first go and a scrimmage of length, I think the team responded very well.

&#8220We were sloppy at times and had a couple penalties that we probably should not have had, but overall we did not have a turnover. We ran just under 100 plays. We taxed them, ran them and conditioned them after the scrimmage. It was the ending to a good week for us.

&#8220That was the 10th straight practice.”

Flynn, who worked exclusively with the No. 1 offense, directed the Tigers on a two-play, 40-yard scoring drive against the No. 2 defense during the live portion of the scrimmage.

The drive featured Flynn’s 34-yard TD pass to Doucet. Flynn finished 5-of-9 for 97 yards and a score.

He also added eight yards rushing on two carries. Doucet led all receivers with three catches for 70 yards.

Other offensive highlights for the Tigers during the workout had freshman quarterback Jarrett Lee taking the No. 2 offense 65 yards for a score against the No. 2 defense during the two-minute drill.

Lee, who completed 5-of-6 passes during the drive, hit Trindon Holliday with a 30-yard strike for the score.

The Tiger running game was highlighted by Ridley, a true freshman, who picked up 64 yards on nine carries, most of which came against the No. 3 defense.

Other rushing leaders for the Tigers had Charles Scott with 24 yards on seven carries and Keiland Williams with 20 yards on nine attempts.

Defensively, the play of Pittman highlighted what was a stingy Tiger defense.

In addition to his three sacks, Pittman added two other tackles, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry.

The special teams play was led by the flawless effort of place kicker Colt David and the consistency of punter Patrick Fisher.

David was a perfect 4-for-4 on field goals, which included three over 40 yards.

He connected on field goals of 37, 41, 46, and 47 yards for the Tigers.

LSU starts its season on Aug. 30 with a trip to Starkville, Miss., for a 7 p.m. nationally televised contest against Mississippi State on ESPN.