Troy University Athletics
Status of Game at LSU Still Up In the Air
9/2/2008 5:00:00 AM | Football
September 2
Status of Game at LSU Still Up In the Air
It's been the question of the day today ? have you heard anything from LSU?
The answer is simple. Yes, we've heard from LSU. No, we don't know yet whether or not the game will be played this weekend. We are still in a holding pattern until tomorrow morning.
I have spoken with LSU Associate AD/Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette a couple of times today. He said the city of Baton Rouge, as well as the LSU campus, took direct and devastating hits from Hurricane Gustov. Virtually all of the city is without power and the weather only started clearing late today.
LSU's athletics and university administration met late this afternoon, but put off making a final decision on whether or not to play the game until Wednesday morning.
Personally, the game is of minor significance. The first priority for the people of Louisiana, and especially in Baton Rouge which took the hardest blow, is to get the power back on and begin the long job of cleaning up from the storm.
All of us should have our thoughts and prayers with them right now.
Yesterday the Trojans held their regular Monday news conference and, while much of the talk was on the victory over Middle Tennessee last week as well as looking forward to playing LSU, there was also some good wishes going out to people affected by the storm.
“All of the people down there are in our prayers,” sophomore quarterback Jamie Hampton said. “Football takes a back seat to what is going on down there and the safety of the people there should be the main thing and football should be second.
“We are hoping that we'll get to play, but, if we don't, it will be understandable. Either way, we are going to work hard this week to get better as a team, even if we don't get to play this weekend.”
Of course, there were plenty of thoughts on the Tigers, who are the defending national champs and were impressive in their debut against Appalachian State. Troy coach Larry Blakeney said LSU set the tone for that game on the opening kickoff.
“They took App State out on the opening kickoff,” Blakeney said. “They hit their best receiver on that kickoff and it went from there. We have to be as physical as we can be. If we go down there tiptoeing around, they will run us out of that stadium. We have to be better than that.”
Tiger Stadium itself is somewhat of a factor when LSU plays at night. The reputation the fans have is well earned, but the Trojans are looking forward to experiencing it first hand.
“Death Valley is certainly one of the primo places to play,” Blakeney said. “The fans there are great. A lot of people talk about how bad they are, but I think they are great. They enjoy the day, then they enjoy the game, then they enjoy the night. They like to play late, enjoy good food, have a good time and watch good football. We just have to supply part of that.”
Only senior safety Sherrod Martin was on the Troy team the last time the Trojans went to LSU. For the rest, all they know is what they see on television.
“All they talk about on ESPN is the atmosphere there,” linebacker Bear Woods said. “It will be exciting and a great experience.”
If the game is played, it will be televised on TigerVision, LSU's in-house pay-per-view channel. Residents in Louisiana can purchase TigerVision through their local cable television system or through The Dish Network or DirecTV. Cable customers must have digital cable capabilities to order the game. Residents outside Louisiana can purchase the TigerVision broadcast through ESPN's Game Plan package. The cost to purchase the game will be $34.50.
The game will also be shown on a tape delay basis only on the Cox Sports Network.
