8/31/2020
By: Terrill J. Weil
Da Boot Sports!

    Junior Defensive tackle Tyler Sheldon has informed the LSU coaching staff that he will opt out of the 2020 football season and prepare for the NFL draft.  Shelvin was a driving force for the Tigers on defense during last season's National Championship run. The 6'3", 346 lbs junior totaled 39 tackles as well as three tackles for a loss. He is the fourth Tiger to opt out of the 2020 season, following DT - Neil Farrell, DB - Kary Vincent, and WR - Ja'Marr Chase...   With Shelvin's departure, that leaves LSU with only five total returning starters from last season's National Championship team. 

8/31/2020
By: Terrill J. Weil
Da Boot Sports!

    Thank you Ja'marr for the memories and for representing LSU with class..  Best wishes on your future on the next level...  

​

8/30/2020
By: Terrill J. Weil
Da Boot Sports!


    LSU star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has decide to opt out of the 2020 football season and enter the NFL Draft. He is the third Tiger player to do so since fall practice has begun. Chase won the 2019 Biletnikoff Award last season after grabbing 84 passes for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns. He is expected to be a first round selection and the first wide receiver taken in the next NFL Draft.  The decision by Chase has now left Terrace Marshall Jr. and Racey McMath as the top two Tiger starters at the position. It also opens up a great opportunity for Senior Jontre Kirklin, sophomore Jaray Jenkins, and freshmen Kayshon Boutte, and Koy Moore. LSU could play freshman tight end Arik Gilbert at the receiver position also. 


    Below is video footage of the Tigers practice on Wednesday Aug. 26th.. Courtesy of LSU

​

8/28/2020
By: Terrill J. Weil
Da Boot Sports!


​    Today the SEC has announced more on the field gameday restrictions for the 2020 football season in an attempt to fight the spread of the coronavirus. Those allowed on the field will be limited to "essential personnel to the execution of the game." A limited number of photographers and radio/TV personnel will be limited. The attendance allowed in the press box will also be cut to 50%.

Below are the SEC new restrictions......  . 



ON-FIELD PERFORMANCES
Bands will be restricted from performing on the field before games and at halftime. The policy will be revised during the year based on developments around COVID-19.
Where stadium capacities are reduced if fan attendance is permitted, visiting team bands and spirit squads shall be prohibited from attending games at SEC stadiums; SEC institutions shall have the discretion on whether their band and/or spirit squad attends a conference (SEC vs SEC) neutral site game.
On-field performances, presentations and recognitions shall be prohibited including, but not limited to, sponsor and donor recognitions and athletic department student-athlete and team recognitions.

ESSENTIAL ON-FIELD PERSONNEL
Essential personnel shall be the only individuals who have game day access to field and sideline, to include student-athletes, coaches and support personnel, game officials, medical personnel, limited institutional personnel, law enforcement, a limited number of photographers and contracted radio/TV personnel, and other limited personnel essential to the execution of the game.
All individuals with access to the team bench area must participate in the SEC COVID-19 testing protocol.

VISITING TICKET DISTRIBUTION
In football, where stadium capacities are reduced if fan attendance is permitted, the host institution shall provide the visiting institution a minimum of 500 tickets located in the lower level of the stadium. The visiting institution may be provided more or less than these 500 tickets upon mutual agreement of both institutions.

DISINFECTION
Home institutions are required to disinfect home and visiting team spaces prior to each game utilizing approved disinfectants. These spaces shall include the locker rooms, coaches’ rooms, training rooms, sidelines, coaches’ booths and any additional areas provided to either team. The visiting team shall be allowed to further disinfect its spaces utilizing approved disinfectants after receiving approval from the home team’s facility staff on the disinfectants it desires to use. Upon completion of disinfection, the spaces and equipment must be locked down until the teams are granted initial access on Thursday or Friday prior to game day. Once both teams have accessed their spaces, only team staff are allowed inside the spaces and no outside individuals, including television personnel, are allowed access.

MEDIA OPERATIONS
Press box seating capacity shall be no more than 50% of current seating availability in the press box, and all individuals in the press box shall wear a face covering. If required by national, state and/or local guidelines, the press box seating capacity shall be less than 50% of the current seating available in accordance with the national, state and/or local guidelines.
Post-game press conferences will be conducted virtually.

8/26/2020
By: Terrill J. Weil
Da Boot Sports!

​    Our LSU Fighting Tigers continue to practice and prepare for the 2020 football season. From the media press conference with Coach O yesterday, we were informed that so far the team has made it through the first week of spring camp injury free with several young players showing improvement. Coach O, even though he stated his team still has some improving to do before their season opener against Mississippi State on Sept. 26th, seems very happy with the way the team is looking and progressing as he had praise for all three phases of the team. 
    Below are photos and video from the Tigers' practice yesterday, Tuesday Aug. 25th...

    All of us here at 'Da Boot Sports!' would like to pray for everyone here in our beautiful State of Louisiana and our neighbors in Texas......

    "Lord, I pray for all those who will be affected by Hurricane Laura. 
    I pray for their protection.
    Be their shelter and their shield at this time of danger and difficulty.
    In Jesus name,   AMEN...."

    Please stay safe everyone...  God Bless... 

Photos & Video courtesy of LSU

8/25/2020
By: Terrill J. Weil
Da Boot Sports


      Coach O met with the media this morning to discuss the progress of the team over the first week of fall practice. Here is his opening statement and a few answers to some questions that were asked.

   
​   "I'm very pleased with the mindset of our football team with eliminating distractions. We are paying attention to the weather. We are still practicing. If anything gets to dangerous for our football team we will not practice. But it looks like we will be able to practice all week. We'll take it day by day. This is a big teaching week for us. We are still a ways away from playing a game. Our coaches are teaching our players are still learning. Our coaches are doing a tremendous job. Today was a red zone day. It is the fifth time we have installed this red zone with us obviously adding to the package. But everyday is a daily theme of different situations that we install and get better at. I think this team is practicing very well. We are staying free for the most part. We haven't had many injuries which I'm very proud of. Our team is in good shape. Our quarterbacks are looking good. Obviously we are strong at receiver. Tight end group is looking good. Offensive line is coming together. Bo's defense is flying to the ball. I feel good about our team right now. But obviously we have some improvement to make and a ways to go."


    When asked about how he looks to make sure the players on the team stay safe during their off time on the weekends when they are away from football......

    COACH O - "We have to make a sacrifice if we want to play. Protect the team. There will be some opportunities they they are have. On Friday and Saturday nights their off. Get their girlfriend, go on a date, do what you need to do. Take care of your business and go home. Just have a regular Friday and Saturday night. We can not attend parties. We have to wear mask. The guys are going to do things. They are going to hang out together. No bars are allowed. They know the general rules. They just need to be careful."



    When asked about what he sees in Jabril Cox that may make him one of the best players on the team.

    COACH O - "First of all he came out with a great attitude. He is focused. Razor sharp. Always studying. Very smart. He knows the defense. He's very fast. I think he is about 6'3", 225/230 lbs and can run.  He has a lot of experience in playing his position. He is a physical tackler. He can shed blocks well. He can rush the passer well. He drops in coverage. He is the complete linebacker."



    When asked about how the two freshman backup quarterbacks have been coming along
in practice and how are they preparing.  

    COACH O - "They are fighting really hard. They are on their own studying. I couldn't ask for two better young men as far as character, as far as smarts, as far as talent. TJ Finley is throwing a great ball right now. He has really improved in his throwing. Coach Ensminger has done a phenomenal job with him. Actually he is having an outstanding camp. Max Johnson is doing a tremendous job. He can run. He is a lot faster then I thought he was. He's left handed and throws a nice ball. He is very accurate and is calm in the pocket. But right now Myles is our starting quarterback. Neither one of them have been able to beat him out. That doesn't mean that that can't happen. We haven't has any scrimmages or preseason games. Things are looking good at quarterback. Now we need to stay healthy. We only have three scholarship quarterbacks."



    When asked about the competition at defensive end....

    COACH O - "I really like Andre. I really like the work that he is doing. Travez Moore is starting at left end right now. It's Travez's senior year. He's done a good job. Behind him is Ali Gaye who has done a tremendous job. The freshman, BJ Ojulari again yesterday had four or five sacks. You are going to see him on third down. He is definitely considered a starter. In the rotation Phillip Webb is doing well. So those guys are looking good.  Jarell Cherry, we moved him to defensive tackle. Soni can play defensive end or defensive tackle. Those or two guys who are having a tremendous camp. Their opportunities are coming. They have been showing that they can do some things."



    When asked about the improvement of the outside linebacker position.....

    COACH O - "Damone Clark has done a marvelous job. Michael Baskerville doing a great job. Ray Thornton is doing a good job. Devonta Lee is doing a great job. Bo has done a tremendous job with those guys. They are all making progress. Josh White and Antoine Sampah can run. They are very fast and are going to be two good linebackers. We are very solid at that position. All of those guys are making some progress."



    When asked about the third wide receiver position behind JaMarr Chase and Terrace Marshall....

    COACH O - "It's obviously Racey McMath.  I think he's going to be an excellent player for us. Racey is doing a great job. He is going to be a starter for us. Jontre Kirklin and Josh Boutte are both doing a good job. All those guys are doing a great job. I feel like we are really really talented at the wide receiver position. The guy that I'm really impressed with is Moore. He has done a great job. He is from Rummel High School. I think that he is going to have an excellent freshman year."



    When asked about the talent of freshman tight end Arik Gilbert....

    COACH O - "Arik is the type of tight end we've been looking for. He can stretch the
field. Yesterday we ran a vertical route right up the field and he beat the mike linebacker for a touchdown. That's a dagger in the heart of the defense. We can spread him out. He can play "X". He can play "Z". He's a good player. He's a physical player. 6'5", 251 lbs. We had red zone today. Just like in the back yard at South LaFourche, just throw up the alley-oop, catch it, touchdown, right? There are a lot of things that he can do. When I was leaving the office on Sunday, he was coming in to study tape on his own. He is very very driven. I think he's going to be an excellent player us."



    When asked about how the running backs are coming along and how they compare to what Clyde Edwards-Helaire was able to do last season.....

    COACH O - "Clyde was special. But no one knew it at this time last year. He had to prove himself and he got better and better as the games went on. I don't expect these guys to be the same kind of back that Clyde was because they aren't built like him. But they each have a different skill set. Chris Curry has been excellent. He is a bull. He can run, catch the ball out of the backfield. Tyrone Davis-Price is a bull. He can run and catch the ball out of the backfield. John Emery is electric. When he gets on the edge, he can make you miss and he's catching the ball well. So I think all three of these guys have a different skill set. Are they going to be like Clyde? Probably not. Can we do the same things? Yes. I don't know if they can run that angle route as good as Clyde did, he was probably the best I've ever seen run that. There are different things that they can do."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Below are photos & a short video of the Tigers in action from Monday's practice. 

Photos & Video from Monday Aug. 24th: Fall Practice 5..   

Photos & Video courtesy of LSU

                                                               #32 RB - Charles Scott

8/21/2020
By: Terrill J. Weil
Da Boot Sports!


      After having yesterday off, the Tigers return to the practice field today for day four before having the weekend off as classes will start on Monday.  Below are photos and a short video of today's action.  Courtesy of LSU.
​

8/20/2020
By: Terrill J. Weil
Da Boot Sports!


      After an early morning walk-through, LSU put in another practice in helmets and shorts for
their third practice of 2020 fall camp, working outdoors at the Charles McClendon Practice Fields on Wednesday afternoon. The Tigers have today off before they return back to practice on Friday. 
      Below are photos and a short video of the Tigers at work yesterday afternoon on Day three. 

                                                          Video & Photos courtesy of LSU

Photos by: Terrill Weil

8/19/2020
By: Terrill J. Weil
Da Boot Sports!

     
​     Today LSU starting quarterback Myles Brennan and senior safety Jacoby Stevens both sat down and answered questions from the local media. Video from the press conference are posted below for your viewing. Courtesy of LSU.. 

​

8/18/2020
By: Terrill J. Weil
Da Boot Sports!


      The LSU football team was back in action today for day two of fall practice. Below are a few photos and a short video of the Tigers in action as they prep for their opener against the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the 2020 football season. 

​

Tuesday, Aug. 18th,  Day 2 of LSU Fall Practice

Video courtesy of LSU

Tuesday, Aug. 18th, Day 2 of LSU Fall Practice

Photos courtesy of LSU

8/18/2020
By: Terrill J. Weil
Da Boot Sports!


      On Monday, August 17th, LSU officially took to the practice field for the first fall practice of the 2020 football season. The Tigers had a walk-through session in the morning before returning in the afternoon for a full practice. Today Coach Orgeron met with the media about his team's first day of practice as they prepare to defend their national championship. He quickly was able to touch on  each position and mention a few names of players who have stood out so far. 

       BATON ROUGE: Coach Orgeron - "I’m excited about this football team. I think they are very talented.  We have a very talented group of freshmen." 
      "When you look at our receiving corps, you have the Gatorade Player of the Year, TE-Arik Gilbert.  You have the Biletnikoff Award winner, Ja'Marr Chase. We have who was the number one receiver out of high school last year, Terrace Marshall. You have Racey McMath, and you have Kayshon Boutte and Koy Moore backing them up. We are very talented in that area."
      "I like our offensive line. I like the direction Dare Rosenthal is going in, a bunch of those guys have been great. Liam Shanahan is playing center right now, we're going to see if he can handle it. Chasen Hines is playing guard. At Tackle we have Austin Deculus out there. Cameron Wire and Charles Turner can play there. A lot of guys who can play there. We have some depth finally at tackle. I love the offensive line. I think Jimmy Cregg has been doing a great job there."
    "The running backs looked fantastic yesterday. John Emery had a fantastic day. Chris Curry and Tyrion Davis-Price are bulls. Those big guys are working hard. I think that you are going to see a different team this year. Obviously the guys we had last year were very good at throwing the ball. I think we will be very good throwing the ball again. but our running game will be a lot better. I really believe that. Kevin Faulk has done a tremendous job coaching those guys."
      "At quarterback Miles has had a great summer. Great leadership by Coach Ensminger. Max
Johnson this morning ran a quarterback keeper around his left corner and took it about 80 yards. TJ Finley had some good passes yesterday. Everything looks good on offense right now. We are real excited about that."
    "On defense I can't say enough about Bo Pelini and what he's brought. It's exactly what we're looking for. Toughness. Very smart coach, knows his defense in-and-out. We are all learning from him. Our guys are taking to him. He's an aggressive coach, but he's a players coach and they love him." 
      "Up front, Tyler Shelvin is practicing very well. Glen Logan is practicing very well. The guy that I'm excited about is Jaquelin Roy from U-High,#99, he has showed up. He has been aggressive and I think he's going to be a great defensive lineman. Guillory is a young nose tackle who is going to be outstanding.  Then the defensive end spot we have Andre Anthony who is doing very well. We have some young guys behind him. Phillip Webb and BJ Ojulari are outstanding pass rushers. Travez Moore is doing great at left end. He is starting at LE. He and Andre are the starting ends. Those guys are doing phenomenal. So on the defensive line we have a lot of depth so we can rotate those guys."
      "At linebacker Damone Clark and Jabril Cox have been phenomenal. Micah Baskerville is having
his best camp so far. Ray Thornton, Josh White, Devonte Lee, and Antoine Sampah. We'll be strong there."
     "At cornerback we have Stingley, Elias Ricks, and Jay Ward. Those guys are doing a tremendous job. At safety we have Jacoby Stevens, Mo Hampton, Todd Harris. I've been told those guys have been phenomenal. Cordale Flott is our other starter at corner. He has had a tremendous camp and a tremendous summer. We are very strong. .... Special Teams are looking good."
     "I'm excited about the direction of the team and their mindset. It's only the second day of camp but I do believe the football schools that we had in July helped us prepare. We're much further along then what we've been. Tommy Moffitt has our guys in great shape. Everything is looking up right now for the Tigers."

​

1st day of Fall Practice, 2020 Season: Monday, Aug. 17th,                      

Video courtesy of LSU

1st day of Fall Practice 2020 Season: Monday, Aug. 17th

Photos courtesy of LSU

8/17/2020
By: Terrill J. Weil
Da Boot Sports!


      The SEC has finally released the updated, conference only football schedule for the 2020 season. 
     Despite decisions by the Big Ten and Pac-12 to cancel fall sports schedules, the SEC, ACC and Big 12 are continuing to move toward playing. All three conferences say final decisions will be strongly affected by what happens as students return to campuses to begin classes.
    The SEC schedules will include one open date for each team during the regular season and an open date for all teams on Dec. 12. The SEC Championship Game is scheduled for Dec. 19 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.


Here is the LSU 2020 Football Schedule below:


Sept. 26          Miss.St.            
Oct. 3             @Vanderbilt
Oct. 10            Missouri
Oct. 17            @Florida
Oct. 24            South Carolina
Oct. 31            @Auburn
Nov. 7             BYE
Nov. 14            Alabama
Nov. 21            @Arkansas
Nov. 28           @Texas A&M
Dec. 5             Ole Miss

Dec. 19            SEC Championship Game

8/17/2020
By: Terrill J. Weil
Da Boot Sports!


      LSU Senior DB Kary Vincent Jr. has announced via Twitter this morning, Monday, August 17th, that he has decided to opt out of the 2020 LSU football season.  As of now it doesn't appear that Vincent will return next season. Vincent has been LSU's starter at the Nickel position. The Tigers are deep at the DB position and has several young defensive backs who can step up and replace Vincent. 

8/10/2020
By: Terrill J. Weil
Da Boot Sports!

      
      Dalton Hilliard Jr. son of former LSU and New Orleans Saints great, Dalton Hilliard Sr. is dead at 29. 
      Hilliard was a New Orleans native who attended high school at Brother Martin where he
led the Crusaders to four consecutive playoff appearances on the gridiron. During his senior season, he rushed for a school record 20 touchdowns. 
      Hilliard Jr. played four seasons with the Nicholls Colonels from 2010-13. He played in
ten games as a senior in 2013, totaling 371 yards rushing on 66 carries, averaging 5.6 yards per carry and rushing for five touchdowns. 
      No cause of his death was mentioned.

     Everyone here at 'Da Boot Sports' send our Prayers and Sincere Condolences to the Hilliard family. We are deeply saddened by your loss. Our hearts go out to you. 

8/9/2020
Article Courtesy of:  SI.com
By: Ross Dellenger


   High-level conference meetings are being planned for this week across the college football landscape with the expected resolution of postponing fall sports until 2021, multiple sources have told Sports Illustrated.
    “It’s gotten to a critical stage,” one conference commissioner told Sports Illustrated Sunday, after a conference call between the heads of the Power 5 conferences. “I think all of us will be meeting with our boards in the coming days. We have work to do that is no fun.”
    Dominoes started falling in earnest Saturday when the Mid-American Conference postponed fall sports. The Big Ten followed with an announcement that it was pausing its scheduled progression to full-pads football practices. A well-placed source told SI Saturday, “I think by the end of the week the fall sports will be postponed in all conferences.”

    Even that timetable might be accelerated. Sources told SI on Sunday that the Big Ten is moving toward a decision to cancel the 2020 fall season, while engaging other Power 5 conferences on a uniform decision to be announced later this week. 
    Group of 5 league representatives simultaneously were conferring to align their own timelines, a source said.
     Both the Pac-12 and Big 12 have calls with league presidents on Tuesday night that might present the first scheduled opportunity for Power 5 leagues to formally vote on postponement. But other calls could be scheduled earlier. 
   A Big Ten presidents call to discuss the season was planned for Sunday night, SI confirmed. Conference USA had a call previously scheduled for Wednesday, but that may be moved up, sources said. Sun Belt presidents have a regularly scheduled Tuesday morning meeting, as do AAC athletic directors. 

     The move toward halting the season comes as a jarring about-face after leagues spent most of the last week finalizing football schedule models and/or releasing schedules. Any momentum toward playing those games was abruptly halted by the MAC's decision to postpone, citing health and safety concerns for athletics amid the COVID-19 pandemic. That set a precedent that the other nine Football Bowl Subdivision conferences were compelled to follow — and quickly.
   "In the next 72 hours college football is going to come to a complete stop,” one industry source said.