Louis E. Seekatz
December 11, 2013
Ellender bringing back 32 Minutes of Pain
December 11, 2013
The LSU football team is officially headed back to a New Year’s Day bowl game.
The Tigers’ athletic department announced early Sunday afternoon that the university had accepted a bid to face Iowa at the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Fla.
That game will kickoff at noon on Jan. 1. It will be shown to a nationally televised audience on ESPN.
For LSU, it marks the first time in more than 25 years that the team plays in the Outback Bowl. It’s also the team’s first January bowl since the 2011 season when the Tigers reached the BCS National Championship Game.
“We are excited about the opportunity to bring the LSU football program and our tremendous fan base to Tampa for the Outback Bowl for this New Year’s Day game,” LSU Athletics Director Joe Alleva said. “This will be a great week for LSU in Tampa and we encourage our fans to buy tickets and come be a part of LSU’s first trip to Tampa for a bowl game in 25 years.”
“I think our guys will enjoy a time in a place that is a destination in itself,” LSU coach Les Miles added. “We really look forward to playing. We can’t wait to get there. I don’t know what our traveling plans are as of yet. We are still making practice plans. It was great news. These Tigers look forward to going.”
For LSU, the Jan. 1 bowl bid is the icing on the cake of an up-and-down season.
After losing 11 underclassmen players to the NFL Draft following last season’s 10-3 campaign, many expected the Tigers to crash and burn in 2013 amidst the always-competitive SEC schedule.
The critics were wrong.
LSU suffered bumps in the road and fell flat in three road games, two of which were decided in the final seconds. But the Tigers were the only team in the country to beat SEC Champion Auburn – a 35-21 thumping in Tiger Stadium. LSU also beat Texas A&M and Mississippi State, each of whom are bowl teams.
LSU is the only SEC team with a 1,000-yard rusher (Jeremy Hill) and two 1,000-yard receivers (Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry).
Miles said he can’t wait to showcase those players on a big stage against Iowa.
He added that he expects a large crowd of Tiger fans to make the trek, as well.
“I think when you show up at a very quality venue and an area that football is awfully important, I think our fans and friends will travel there,” Miles said. “There are things to do and certainly the weather is great for the holidays. I think all of the new sites present a lure to our team that we will look forward to. We also recognize the opportunity to play well in that game is certainly most important.”
The Tigers opened as a slight favorite in Las Vegas against the Hawkeyes.
But LSU’s bowl foe will enter Tampa on a winning streak.
After struggling to just a 4-3 record in their first seven games, Iowa closed by winning four of the final five in 2013.
The Hawkeyes closed the year with three-straight wins, beating Purdue, Michigan and Nebraska.
Iowa will not feature an elite passing attack – no receiver on their team has 400 yards on the year.
But the Hawkeyes make their success with stout rushing and efficient defense. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz has been with the team since 1999 and has posted a 108-78 record.
“I know that Coach Kirk Ferentz has done a great job there,” Miles said. “I think he has been there for 15 years. He has been one of the most successful coaches in the Big Ten conferences for years.”
Of course, diehard LSU fans know that Iowa is a team that has some New Year’s Day history with the Tigers.
On Jan. 1, 2005, the two teams met in the Capital One Bowl – a game that marked Nick Saban’s final game on the sidelines for the Tigers.
In a back and forth affair, LSU took a late lead on a rally inspired by redshirt freshman quarterback JaMarcus Russell’s arm and legs.
But it all was wasted, as Iowa completed a last-second Hail Mary pass to score as time expired and seal a 30-25 victory for the Hawkeyes.
Obviously with nearly a decade passed, no one on either side played in that game. But Miles said he fully expects another competitive game that goes down to the wire.
“I think we will understand the need to play well in this game as we look forward,” Miles said.
Tickets are available for the game, via the LSU Athletic Department.
Those interested in making the trip should visit www.lsusports.net.
Mettenberger out for bowl
Prior to the bowl announcement, LSU fans learned that quarterback Zach Mettenberger’s collegiate career had come to an end.
The school announced early last week that the senior quarterback tore his ACL during the second half of the final regular season game.
Mettenberger’s 2013 season ends after completing 192-of-296 passes for 3,082 yards with 22 touchdowns and 8 interceptions.
True freshman Anthony Jennings will start the Outback Bowl.
