LSU’s Pittman ready to make most of extra year

By David Moorman  |   Monday, July 28, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

LSU Tigers
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!

Senior defensive end Kirston Pittman can accomplish what few players anywhere have done before him. He can leave LSU having been a member of three national championship teams.

Unlikely, you say, that LSU will successfully defend its BCS national championship? Maybe, but what were the odds that Pittman would have had six years of NCAA eligibility? And yet here he is getting ready for his sixth and final season at LSU. He also has designs on adding to the national championship ring collection that he began in 2003 with a 21-14 victory over Oklahoma and updated with last season‘s 38-24 triumph at the expense of Ohio State.

Pittman played sparingly as a true freshman, but he was a pure menace to the opposition in what was assumed to be his senior season last year. He led LSU in both quarterback sacks (eight) and tackles for losses (13.5), a testament to the speed of the 6-foot-4, 252-pounder.

This too after having missed the entire 2005 and '06 seasons with foot and ankle injuries. He showed no ill effects of the ailments last year, and after it was over petitioned the NCAA for a sixth season of eligibility. He was granted it, too, much to the delight of LSU, whose veteran defensive line will be made that much stronger with Pittman’s presence.

Pittman was second among defensive linemen in tackles last year with 68; moreover, he was responsible for 14 quarterback hurries and an interception. Unlike last season, plenty is expected of Pittman this year because there are no uncertainties surrounding his physical conditioning.

Pittman appears to be both of sound body and mind these days, in fact, and his on-the-field exploits support the former. The fact that he graduated with a degree in general studies in the fall of 2007 points to the latter.

Expectations are high because Pittman delivered so often last year.

For instance, his first career interception came against Florida and ignited a rally that saw the Tigers overcome a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit. He produced career bests with three tackles for losses, including two sacks, in a victory over upstart Alabama. His team-high eight tackles against Virginia Tech earned him Southeastern Conference defensive player of the week honors.

All the more reason that LSU is glad to have Pittman back, and that he is ready to make the most of his extra year.
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (1)

About David Moorman

Dave Moormann is an award-winning journalist, who has covered LSU athletics since 1980. He began his coverage with the Baton Rouge Advocate, where he was a writer and editor from 1980-98. In 1996, he authored a book on the history of LSU football entitled, "Fighting Tigers Handbook: Stories, Stats...
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report