LSU opens season well amid gloomy backdrop

By David Moorman  |   Monday, September 01, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

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For all the uncertainty surrounding LSU’s season opener this past Saturday against Appalachian State, there was no doubt about the Tigers’ strength.

On the first play from scrimmage, senior running back Charles Scott bolted 56 yards. On the next play, he scampered for an 8-yard touchdown. Later, Scott added a 29-yard scoring jaunt. In all, Scott finished with 16 carries for 160 yards during LSU's 41-13 victory over the Mountaineers.

It was a brief respite from the storm for Louisianans, who were bracing for the impending arrival of Hurricane Gustav. To avoid traffic congestion between fans and evacuees, kickoff was moved ahead six hours to 10 a.m.

Head coach Les Miles’ media briefing the next day was canceled, as was his weekly press luncheon Monday. LSU officials still weren’t certain about this week’s practice schedule, or even this Saturday’s home game against Troy.

For all the distractions, LSU played with a single purpose in making short work of the Mountaineers. The historic game matched defending champions in a season opener for the first time ever. LSU won last season’s BCS national title in Division 1-A (now the Football Bowl Subdivision). Appalachian State, meanwhile, has won three consecutive Division 1-AA crowns (Football Championship Subdivision).

Appalachian State proved much more competitive in 2005, when LSU pulled out a hard-fought 24-0 victory during a season that was interrupted by two hurricanes -- Katrina and Rita.

Almost three years ago to the day, junior tight end Richard Dickson lost his family home in Ocean Springs, Miss., to Katrina.

Dickson, among others, put such thoughts out of their minds as they delighted a less-than-capacity Tiger Stadium crowd. When Miles led the team in the alma mater on the field as he does after every home victory, there were only about 1,000 fans left in the stands. When the Tiger band offered its own rendition of the alma mater several minutes later, there was only a smattering of approximately 100 loyalists.

Dickson was one of two Tigers with three catches; in the end, his receptions totaled 35 yards. Senior Demetrius Byrd caught three passes for 34 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown from sophomore starter Andrew Hatch. Two of junior Brandon LaFell’s four receptions for 87 yards went for touchdowns,. Redshirt freshman Jarrett Lee threw LaFell scoring tosses of 31 and 39 yards.

Given their inexperience, Hatch and Lee capably ran the offense, combining to complete 13-of-24 passes for 193 yards. Hatch also ran for 43. Lee threw an interception that led to one of the Mountaineers’ three field goals, but for the most part, LSU dominated every phase of the game.

For all the celebration such a rousing victory created, sobering thoughts of Gustav muted the glee. Miles thanked LSU fans for supporting the team in such trying times and said the Tigers’ thoughts and prayers remained with everyone throughout the hurricane-weary state.

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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...
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