Da Boot Sports
Fanboy Publication
11/29/2022
By: Terrill J. Weil


   BATON ROUGE, LA - After his SEC Championship Game teleconference on Sunday, Coach Kelly held his regular Monday press conference with the local media to quickly discuss the upset loss to A&M, talk about the upcoming contest with Georgia, as well as answer questions. 

   Below is video of the press conference for your viewing...   GEAUX TIGERS!!!
​

Da Boot Sports/Fanboy Publication
11/27/2022
SEC Championship Game, Head Coach Press Conference


   CHUCK DUNLAP: We'll start with Coach Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers. Good afternoon, thanks for being with us. Congratulations on advancing to the SEC championship game. While we wait on questions, would you mind commenting on your team's season as you prepare to face Georgia in the SEC championship game next week.

   BRIAN KELLY: Well, it's been certainly exciting. We've had certainly some bumps in the road, but we've had some great achievements in developing our program here in the first year. Our football team has gotten better as the season has gone along. Certainly we've learned a lot about how to prepare the right way, how to take care of ourselves in this SEC West that week to week you have to bring your best. We found that out this weekend. Proud of our accomplishment. Really excited about playing in the SEC championship game. Obviously the standard in terms of title games and being able to face the No. 1 team in the country, the defending national champs in Georgia. Kirby Smart and his staff, his players, it's a great challenge, but one that we're excited about. We want to be able to represent the SEC West and certainly play to our standard. Look forward to doing that.

   
   CHUCK DUNLAP: Questions, please.

   Q. How is Jayden's ankle feeling today? What is going to be the plan for Josh Williams this week? BRIAN KELLY: Jayden, we kept him in a boot for today. His exam was good today. We're pretty optimistic about his ability to practice on Tuesday. It wasn't a high-ankle sprain. Those are the things that you concern yourself with because that's going to limit his mobility. He's going to need to have obviously all of his mobility and more. Early indications look pretty good. We'll have a better understanding tomorrow, but the report was good today. We'll take it from there. Josh looked good. We're obviously very conservative with him in making sure that we got him at what we considered full 100%. He's the kind of runner that needs that. I think we feel all very good that he's going to be able to be part of the game plan this weekend.



   Q. Certainly a wild ride for you this season. Regardless of what happened in the Texas A&M game, you're here. I just wonder, thinking back, getting ready for the season, did you think this was a realistic goal or have you exceeded what you thought you might be able to do in year one?

   BRIAN KELLY: Yeah, we didn't have a board in our team room that said, SEC West championship. Our board was about a standard and getting to that standard, building better habits, how we thought, how we prepared. It was much more about a process than it was for any particular goals. I'd be lying to tell you that that was one of them or wasn't one of them because it really wasn't even really part of our thought process. It was really about getting our guys to live to a standard that we have set within the program. That's generally what most coaches are looking at in year one. You're not thinking about outcomes quite as much.




   Q. Having met Georgia two times in pretty recent times, '19 and '17, does that help or is that ancient history?

   BRIAN KELLY: Well, you know what you're going to get. Kirby is still the head coach. They're going to be disciplined. They're going to be physical. There's new coordinators. You know the kind of system you're going to get, the preparation, the discipline, all those things are going to be part of Coach Smart's team. All those things are going to be the same. But the personnel is different. The coordinators, the schemes are a little bit different. One thing they haven't lacked is in recruiting. They've got outstanding personnel, really good players that we'll have to prepare for.



   Q. John Emery having a bounce-back game, how important was it to see him get into the end zone a couple times, hold onto the football after last week?

   BRIAN KELLY: Yeah, I think he needed it. I think he needed it for himself. I think obviously he took it hard last week, the week before, in not taking care of the football. Coach Wilson does a great job of making sure that those guys understand how important it is. It was great to see him come back this week, again, from his career-best three rushing touchdowns. A really nice way to respond from some adversity. That's what this game gives you the opportunity for. It was good to see it.



   Q. What did you see film-wise coming off of that Texas A&M game over the weekend, yesterday, excuse me?

   BRIAN KELLY: I think uncharacteristic. We've played with traits over talent all year. Some of those traits were not there as much. Playing smart, having a great attention to detail, some of the focus that's necessary, for some reason those things weren't in place. We have to play with those traits. Yeah, we have talent. Our talent has to show, as well. The real success of this team has been the ability to rely on traits and talent. Some of those traits were not there for whatever reason. Our players know it. They took it hard after the game. They care. They really want to make sure that something like this doesn't happen again. We can get beat, but we don't want to be beat with not bringing our very best. Unfortunately it's one of those lessons to be learned in terms of how you need to prepare each and every week. Again, I think our team understands that.



   Q. The Georgia tight end room, a lot has been made about Bowers and Washington. How lethal of a 1-2 punch is that?

   BRIAN KELLY: I think 'lethal' is a good word Darnell Washington is a large person, 6'7". I mean, there's nobody that really has a favorable matchup against him. Then Bowers, he leads the team I believe in receptions. He's a Lombardi Award finalist. Coach Monken gets him involved in everything from handoff sweeps to I don't know if he's thrown the ball yet, but I'm sure he will. He's just a versatile player. He's a guy that can break games open. As talented and as productive as a tandem that you'll see.



   Q. At whatever point that college football expands the Playoff, I'm wondering if you have any thoughts on how or if it will affect the various conference championships, the stakes, the excitement? Any thoughts on that?

   BRIAN KELLY: Yeah, I'm not really that concerned about it. I think the conference championships still carry such a high regard in college football and how they're perceived. I think in particular the SEC championship game, I think of that as such a big game and celebrated, that I think that's always going to carry its place in college football.



   Q. Do you have a preference or point of view on when you should go to 12?

   BRIAN KELLY: I don't know that I have a particular date. I would like to see it expanded if they think that they can bring it all together. The more the better for me in terms of playoffs.



   Q. With Texas A&M, why were they more effective running the ball against you guys than the teams you've seen in the last month? Was it schemes or matchups?

​   BRIAN KELLY: No, I don't think it was either one of those. Again, part of a standard in terms of play is about doing your job. Obviously there are times when whatever the circumstances are, you're not as focused, your attention to detail is not where it needs to be. Texas A&M played well. Their back Achane is an outstanding back. He's difficult to corral. He made some great runs. But the traits that I mentioned that we bring with our team were not as prevalent for some reason. It's my job to make sure they bring them each and every week. Our margin is not great. We can't overcome not bringing our traits and talent. I've never seen this scheme before, we're not aware this back is outstanding, there was none of that. We didn't bring some of the traits that are necessary for us to be the kind of defense and the kind of offense that we want to be consistently from week to week.



   Q. Regard Harold Perkins Jr., how special of a talent is he for a first-year player?

   BRIAN KELLY: He's very, very talented. But, like I said, I mean, it's both: he's got to bring his traits and talent together. If he brings both of those, he is an elite and special player.



   Q. I believe Todd Monken was a DA at Grand Valley State when you were there. What do you remember about him from those days and the job he's done with Georgia's offense?

   BRIAN KELLY: I've known Todd for several years. I think it's going on close to 30 years. Wherever he's been he's been successful. He's got a great offensive mind. He comes from a family that's been involved in football, the entire family. He just knows the game, whether he's been in college as a head coach in Southern Mississippi, working in the NFL. He knows the game. He relates well to his players. Outstanding play-caller. I don't know of anything at the time I was with him at Grand Valley wore off on him. I think despite the time we were together, he's overcome all that (laughter). Just great experience and does a great job.



   Q. I'm not sure how much of Georgia's offense you've watched to this point, but the job he's done with Stetson Bennett...

   BRIAN KELLY: Yeah, remarkable. He's poised. The confidence on film in terms of what he exudes is amazing. I think he's, like, 26-3 as a starter. He's in full command of the offense, full command. That goes to his coaching, his teaching, his preparation obviously. It's apparent in watching him how confident he is as the quarterback.



   Q. In adverse situations like last night, you talked about finding leaders, but after the game, who were some of those guys that stepped up, provided leadership?

   BRIAN KELLY: Well, our locker room was very disappointed. They care. That's the first thing that you want to see, that it hurts. They've invested so much. I think there's more than just one or two guys. I think there is a core of players in that locker room that were visibly upset about the performance and certainly the outcome. I don't know that I could single out one particular guy. I think our captains have been great all year. I think Mike Jones has been great. You could see he was out there representing our defense in the press conference. Guys like that that really understand the day-to-day and what we go through are generally the people that we put out front. But there's more than just one. We have a lot of guys that understand our process. They were very disappointed. When they came in today for treatment, it was still the same feeling. But now we've flushed it away and we got to get ready for the No. 1 team in the country.



   Q. When you look at this Georgia defense, what challenges does the defense bring in general?

   BRIAN KELLY: First of all, the scheme is outstanding. They mix it up, three down and four down. They do a really good job when they get you into third down, they're going to give you a variety of looks. But obviously Beal and Carter, outstanding D-linemen. I think Dumas-Johnson is a Butkus Award finalist, an outstanding player. The back end is young and athletic, really good ball skills. Coach Smart obviously has his hand on everything that happens in this program, but in particular on defense. You can see that. I'm familiar with their defensive structure having gone against them a few times. They continue to get better each and every week.



​   Q. Cortez Hankton joined your staff from Georgia last year. What has been his biggest impact?

   BRIAN KELLY: I think first and foremost, in the passing game. He's intimately involved in what we do in the passing game. I think he's done a really good job with implementing that into what we do on a day-to-day basis, as well as developing relationships with our current players and in recruiting. He's from the state of Louisiana. He's back home, so to speak. He's from New Orleans. He's going to be a great asset in our recruiting as we get underway certainly in earnest here over the next couple weeks. 



   Q. Having some previous experience with the College Football Playoff as well as the ACC championship game, did that have more of a playoff feel in your experience?

   BRIAN KELLY: No, I don't know that it felt like a playoff. The Playoffs are so unique and different in the venues they're in. I think the championship felt different than a regular-season game, but it didn't feel like a playoff. I think this SEC championship in Atlanta is going to feel maybe a little bit closer to that. But I think that's kind of what we're expecting. Again, getting to an SEC championship game I think is going to have a different feel than maybe any other game that I've been in, so it will be exciting.



   Q. I haven't heard too much of an update on him, Maason Smith, the ACL tear, how is his progression?

  BRIAN KELLY: Thanks for asking. He's doing well. He's obviously focused on his academics and his rehabilitation. He's had no setbacks. We expect him to be ready for our off-season program and progressing into spring ball. We'll be excited to see him get back.



   CHUCK DUNLAP: Thank you for your time today, coach.

​   BRIAN KELLY: Thank you

Da Boot Sports/Fanboy Publication
11/26/2022
By: Terrill J. Weil


   COLLEGE STATION, TX - The 5th ranked LSU Fighting Tigers took their five game winning streak into College Station to battle the struggling Texas A&M Aggies in the regular season finale.
 
   But unfortunately it was LSU who ended up playing like the problemed ball club as the Aggies shocked the Bayou Bengals with a 38-23 upset win.

   The Aggies surprisingly ran the ball at will all game long against a tough LSU defense, finishing with 274 total rushing yard.

   A&M running back Devon Achane had a huge night as he finished with 215 yards on 38 carries and two touchdowns. 

   The loss puts an end to the SEC West Champions' college football playoff hopes. Now LSU will need to put this disappointing defeat behind them quickly and get ready to face #1 ranked Georgia next weekend in the SEC Championship Game. 




​   The Aggies drew first blood, driving 90 yards in 15 plays with Devon Achane taking it into the end zone from ten yards out giving A&M a 7-0 lead with 4:54 left in the first quarter. 

   The LSU offense answered the Aggies score on the next possession as John Emery Jr. scored on a physical four yard touchdown run to culminate the 12 play, 75 yard drive to even the game at 7-7 with 14:00 left in the second quarter. 

   Freshman quarterback Connor Weigman lead the Texas A&M offense on a nice scoring drive on their next possession to regain the lead 10-7 as Randy Bond kicked a 25 yard field goal.

   The first half shoot out continued as LSU again answered the A&M score driving, moving 59 yards on ten plays before having to settle for a Damian Ramos 34 yard field goal to tie the score at 10-10 with 5:38 left in the first half.

   Once again the Aggies would take it right back to the LSU defense, easily driving 72 yards on nine plays, scoring on a three yard touchdown pass from Weigman to Donovan Green to give A&M a 17-10 lead with 1:10 left on the clock.


   Trailing 17-10 at the half, the Tigers took their first possession of the third quarter and drove 71 yards in nine plays, with John Emery Jr. scoring on a 19 yard touchdown run to tie the score at 17-17 with 9:40 left in the quarter. 

   With the LSU defense forcing back to back three and outs, it was the A&M defense that would make a huge play to give the Aggies the lead back when Damian Richardson scoop up a Jayden Daniels fumble and returned it 27 yards for a touchdown. 24-17 A&M with 7:03 left in the third period. 

   The defensive Texas A&M score totally changed the momentum of the contest as the Aggies increased their lead to 31-17 on the first play of the fourth quarter when Weigman found Moose Muhammad III in the end zone for a 21 yard touchdown to finish an eight play, 83 yard drive. 

   Things continued to spiral out of control for the Tigers as the offense continued to struggle since the huge turnover, as the upset minded Aggies smelled the opportunity to put the 5th ranked Bayou Bengals away, and that they did.

   A&M once again dominated the line of scrimmage, as they made it look easy moving the ball up the field on their next offensive possession. They drove 77 yards in eight plays, as Achane turned out the lights on the Tigers with a ten yard touchdown run. LSU now trailed 38-17 with only 7:46 left in the contest.

   LSU's offense finally started to show a sense of urgency, picking up the tempo, striking quickly for a score as they went 75 yards in six plays in only 1:25. John Emery Jr. scored his third touchdown of the game from three yards out as the Tigers now trailed 38-23 after a failed two point conversion attempt. 

   The Tigers had one more drive left in them, going 38 yards in six plays, but ended up turning the ball over on downs after an apparent Jaray Jenkins 27 yard touchdown catch on 4th and 15 was ruled incomplete, killing any comeback. 

   With the loss the Tigers finish the regular season 9-3 overall, 6-2 in SEC play.

   Next up LSU will face probably their toughest opponent of the season as they travel to Atlanta to take on top ranked Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, Saturday, December 3rd. Kickoff is set for 3:00pm CST and the game will be televised on CBS. 
    

**John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Find Jesus)

Da Boot Sports/A Fanboy Publication
11/21/2022
By: Terrill J. Weil


   BATON ROUGE, LA - Brian Kelly had his weekly Monday press conference after practice to preview the Tigers' next opponent, the Texas A&M Aggies.
   
​   Video of the press conference is below...   GEAUX TIGERS!!

**John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Find Jesus)....

Da Boot Sports
​11/19/2022
By: Terrill J. Weil


   BATON ROUGE, LA - It was cold and rainy in Tiger Stadium on Saturday night as LSU honored 17 seniors in a pregame ceremony before defeating a good UAB football team, 41-10. 

   After struggling at Arkansas last weekend, the LSU offense rebounded nicely racking up 565 total yards, (266 yards rushing, 299 yards passing). 

   Jayden Daniels had a great game finishing 22-29, 297 yards passing with one touchdown, while rushing for 111 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown. 

   With Amani Goodwin out for the season and Josh Williams missing the game due to a nagging injury, Noah Cain (13 carries, 76 yards, three rushing touchdowns) and John Emery Jr. (nine rushes, 46 yards, one rushing touchdown), handled the rushing duties with nice success. 

   Malik Nabers lead the team in receiving with seven catches for 129 yards,... Brian Thomas Jr. returned from injury to have a good game with four grabs for 21 yards and a touchdown,... Jack Bech finished with three catches for 61 yards and Mason Taylor had 39 yards on three catches. The Tigers were without Kayshon Boutte who was dealing with an illness. 

   Defensively, the Tigers started slow allowing ten early points but made adjustments to shut down the UAB attack, holding them to 259 total yards with a second half shutout.
   The Blazers are ranked sixth in the nation in rushing, averaging 247.1 yards per contest. The LSU defense held them to 48 total yards on the ground. 

   Greg Penn III finished the game with a team leading eight tackles. Harold Perkins Jr. finished with five tackles and was all over the field as usual. Joe Foucha and BJ Ojulari both finished with four tackles each, while Ali Gaye had LSU's only sack on the night. 




   LSU started quickly, taking the opening kickoff and driving 79 yards in nine plays, scoring on a two yard touchdown run by John Emery Jr. to take a 7-0 lead.

   The special team play that has hampered the Tigers throughout most of the season return on the ensuing kickoff. UAB's Jerome Brown took in Nathan Dibert's kickoff at the four and returned it 66 yards to the LSU 30 yard line. 
   Three plays later, DeWayne McBride punched it in from five yards out as the Blazers evened the game at 7-7 with 9:19 left in the first quarter.

   The LSU offense remained hot, answering UAB's score with another nice scoring drive. The Tigers traveled 75 yards in eight plays to take a 14-7 lead on a five yard touchdown run by Noah Cain.

   UAB's offense responded on their next possession, driving 63 yards in 11 plays before the Tigers' defense stiffened on the final play of the opening quarter, forcing a 29 yard field goal attempt by Blazers kicker Matt Quinn. On the first play of the second quarter, Quinn pushed the kick through to cut LSU's lead to 14-10.

   After turning the ball over on their last possession, the LSU offense bounced right back with another nice scoring drive. 
   Noah Cain would score for the second time in the contest on a one yard touchdown run to close out a 79 yard, 12 play drive, giving the Bayou Bengals a 21-10 lead with 5:20 left in the first half.

   The Tigers quickly increased their lead before the half after the LSU defense forced UAB to turn the ball over on downs.
   The Tigers zipped down the field, taking only four plays to score as Noah Cain punched it in from one yard out for his third touchdown of the game.
   Jayden Daniels continued to have a great night, driving the Tigers 55 yards on the four plays, taking only 34 seconds to score as LSU would hold a 28-10 lead at the half.


   The Tigers finally got on the board again late in the third quarter, when Jayden Daniels took it in himself from two yards out to finish off the six play, 57 yard drive. Damian Ramos missed the point after as LSU now held a 34-10 lead with 6:50 left in the quarter.

   LSU extended their lead to 41-10 on a five yard touchdown pass from Daniels to Brian Thomas Jr. with 9:46 left in the contest. The score was the culmination of a nine play, 86 yard drive. 

​   With the win LSU is now 9-2 overall, 6-1 in SEC play. The Tigers have won five straight as they will now prepare for their regular season finale against Texas A&M in College Station next weekend, (Saturday, Nov. 26).. Kickoff is set for 6:00pm CST and will be televised on ESPN. 

Photos Below By: Jonathan Mailhes

**John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Find Jesus)

Da Boot Sports
11/14/2022
LSU Sports Communications
By: Michael Bonnette


   ​BATON ROUGE – LSU defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Matt House is among 51 coaches from across the country who are nominees for the 2022 Broyles Award, which is presented annually to the top assistant coach in college football.
 
The Broyles Award was created in 1996 recognizing legendary coach Frank Broyles’ legacy of selecting and developing outstanding assistants during his hall of fame career at Arkansas.
 
The 51 nominees in this year’s class were selected from approximately 1,500 assistant coaches representing 131 FBS programs across the country. The Broyles Award selection process includes members of the Football Writers Association of America, broadcasters, a college football hall of fame committee and current college head coaches.
 
In his first year with the Tigers, House has transformed the LSU defense, taking a unit that returned only three starters from a year ago and molded it into one of the best in the SEC. The Tigers are currently riding a 4-game winning streak, have climbed to as high as No. 6 in the nation, and have secured a spot in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia.
 
Some of the highlights for the LSU defense under House include: held Top 10 ranked Ole Miss scoreless for the final 44 minutes in a 45-20 victory; held Alabama without a TD in the first half for first time all year and limited Crimson Tide to just nine points through three quarters (fewest all season) in the win; and held Arkansas to its fewest points (10), rushing yards (121) and total yards (237) all season.

 
Individual standouts on the LSU defense include linebacker Harold Perkins, who has twice been named SEC Defensive Player of the Week as well as Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week along with defensive end BJ Ojulari, who has earned SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors twice in 2022.
 
LSU’s defense goes into the UAB game ranked among the SEC leaders in points allowed (21.0), total defense (347.2 yards per game), turnovers gained (16), and redzone defense (75.6 percent).
 

Da Boot Sports
11/15/2022
LSU Sports Communication
By: Michael Bonnette


   ​BATON ROUGE – LSU’s Jayden Daniels has been selected as one of 21 semifinalists for the 2022 Davey O’Brien Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s best quarterback, the O’Brien Selection Committee announced on Tuesday.
 
Daniels, in his first year at LSU after transferring from Arizona State, has guided the Tigers to a No. 6 national ranking and a berth in the SEC Championship Game. LSU is 8-2 overall and clinched the SEC Western Divisions with its win over Arkansas on Saturday.
 
Daniels is the only player in the SEC to rank among the top 10 in the league in both rushing and passing yards. He’s also one of only three quarterbacks nationally to have rushed for 600 yards and pass for 2,000 yards. Daniels goes into the UAB game with 629 rushing yards and 2,080 yards. His 10 rushing TDs ties for the most among all quarterbacks in the FBS.
 
Through 10 games, Daniels has completed 195-of-283 passes with 14 touchdowns and only two interceptions. His 24 TDs accounted for (10 rushing, 14 passing) rank No. 7 in LSU’s single-season history.
 
Earlier this year, Daniels became the first LSU quarterback to rush for 100 yards and pass for 200 yards in a game decided in regulation and he’s done it twice this season (vs. Florida State and Ole Miss). He also became the first player in LSU history to rush for three touchdowns and pass for three TDs in a game decided in regulation.
 
Daniels earned SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors in back-to-back weeks following wins over Ole Miss and Alabama.
 
In alphabetical order, the semifinalists are: Stetson Bennett of Georgia, LSU’s Jayden Daniels, Max Duggan of TCU, UTSA’s Frank Harris, Sam Hartman of Wake Forest, Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker, Drake Maye of North Carolina, Coastal Carolina’s Grayson McCall, J.J. McCarthy of Michigan, SMU’s Tanner Mordecai, Bo Nix of Oregon, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr., Austin Reed of WKU, Utah’s Cameron Rising, Will Rogers of Mississippi State, Ohio’s Kurtis Rourke, C.J. Stroud of Ohio State, UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Jordan Travis of Florida State, USC’s Caleb Williams and Bryce Young of Alabama.
 
Nine players­–Bennett, Harris, Hartman, Hooker, McCall, Rogers, Stroud, Williams and Young–are repeat semifinalists. Young won the 2021 Davey O’Brien Award, while Stroud was one of three finalists last year.
 
The list is comprised of eight seniors, nine juniors, three sophomores and one freshman, and consists of players from nine FBS conferences. The Pac-12 Conference and Southeastern Conference are tied for the most honorees with five apiece.
 
The next step in the process will be to select the award’s three finalists based on voting from the Davey O’Brien National Selection Committee as well as the second round of the Davey O’Brien Fan Vote, which will take place on the award’s three social media accounts--Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. The top five vote getters on each platform will receive bonus committee member ballots which will be added to the votes cast by the National Selection Committee.
 
To participate in the Fan Vote, fans must like the original Davey O’Brien Award post highlighting the respective quarterback. The three finalists will be tabbed on Tuesday, Nov. 29. The winner will be announced live on Thursday, Dec. 8 on The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
 
The Davey O’Brien Foundation was created in 1977, and the National Quarterback Award, the oldest and most prestigious college quarterback award, was first issued in 1981. Over its time, the Davey O’Brien Foundation has given away more than $1.2 million in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field into leadership in life.
 
In 1938, O’Brien, who was a star quarterback for TCU, became the first player ever to win the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Award in the same year. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1955.
 
2022 Davey O’Brien Award Semifinalists
Stetson Bennett, Georgia, Sr., 5-11, 190, Blackshear, Ga.
Jayden Daniels, LSU, Jr., 6-3, 200, San Bernardino, Calif.
Max Duggan, TCU, Sr., 6-2, 210, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Frank Harris, UTSA, Sr., 6-0, 205, Schertz, Texas
Sam Hartman, Wake Forest, Jr., 6-1, 210, Charlotte, N.C.
Hendon Hooker, Tennessee, Sr., 6-4, 218, Greensboro, N.C.
Drake Maye, North Carolina, R-Fr., 6-4, 220, Huntersville, N.C.
Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina, Jr., 6-3, 215, Indian Trail, N.C.
J.J. McCarthy, Michigan, So., 6-3, 196, La Grange Park, Ill.
Tanner Mordecai, SMU, Sr., 6-3, 214, Waco, Texas
Bo Nix, Oregon, Sr., 6-2, 213, Pinson, Ala.
Michael Penix Jr., Washington, Jr., 6-3, 213, Tampa, Fla.
Austin Reed, WKU, Sr., 6-2, 230, St. Augustine Beach, Fla.
Cameron Rising, Utah, Jr., 6-2, 218, Ventura, Calif.
Will Rogers, Mississippi State, Jr., 6-2, 210, Brandon, Miss.
Kurtis Rourke, Ohio, Jr., 6-5, 216, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
C.J. Stroud, Ohio State, So., 6-3, 218, Inland Empire, Calif.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA, Sr., 6-1, 205, Las Vegas, Nev.
Jordan Travis, Florida State, Jr., 6-1, 212, West Palm Beach, Fla.
Caleb Williams, USC, So., 6-1, 215, Washington, D.C.
Bryce Young, Alabama, Jr., 6-0, 194, Pasadena, Calif.

Da Boot Sports
11/12/2022
By: Terrill J. Weil


   FAYETTEVILLE, AR - The 7th ranked Tigers traveled to frigid Fayetteville to take on the 5-4
Arkansas Razorbacks in the 'Battle for the Golden Boot'.. 

   A trip to the SEC Championship Game was also on the line for the Bayou Bengals with a victory combined with a Ole Miss loss to Alabama. 

   Both happened as the Tigers held on to defeat the Razorbacks, 13-10 followed by a 30-24 Alabama win over Ole Miss in Oxford. 

   Your LSU Fighting Tigers are the 2022 SEC Western Division Champions and will play in the
SEC Championship Game in Atlanta on December 3rd. 

   
   Saturday's game came down to the final drive, as Arkansas, trailing 13-10, had the ball 1st and ten at their own 38 yard line. Cade Fortin dropped back to throw and was hit from behind by Harold Perkins Jr. who slapped the ball loose causing a fumble that Mekhi Wingo recovered at the Razorbacks' 44 yard line with only 1:19 left on the clock. 
   With the Hogs out of time outs, Jayden Daniels took a knee in victory formation to end the contest. 

​

  With so much on the line, the Tigers surprisingly reverted back to their early game struggles as they sputtered on offense terribly over the first 15 minutes of play. 

   Jayden Daniels uncharacteristically turned the ball over twice. Once on an interception at the Arkansas 40 yard line, then two drives later on a fumble that the Hogs recovered at the LSU ten.  

   Luckily the LSU defense stood tall, holding Arkansas to only a 28 yard Cam Little field goal as the Hogs would take a 3-0 lead into the second quarter. 

   The LSU defense continued to make plays as Harold Perkins Jr. chased down Arkansas quarterback Malik Hornsby, forcing a fumble that BJ Ojulari recovered at the Hogs 37 yard line. 

   The Tigers had to settle for a Damian Ramos 38 yard field goal to tie the game at 3-3 with 9:28 left in the first half.

   LSU would have their best drive of the contest on their next possession, but unfortunately had to settle for another Damian Ramos field goal when the drive stalled deep in Arkansas territory. 
   The 29 yard field goal gave LSU their first lead of the game, 6-3 with 1:51 left on the clock before heading to the halftime break with the 6-3 LSU advantage.


   Both defenses continued to dominate for most of the third quarter before the Tigers were able to start a drive late in the period after a turn over on downs by the Hogs.

   LSU drove 40 yards on five plays to extend their lead to 13-3 on a one yard touchdown run by Josh Williams with 5:25 left in the quarter. The key play of the drive came when Jayden Daniels hit Kayshon Boutte for a 26 yard completion to the one yard line on 1st and ten from the Arkansas 27. 

   A change at quarterback helped give the Razorbacks a spark, as Arkansas traveled 94 yards in ten plays, scoring on a 40 yard touchdown pass from Cade Fortin to Matt Landers to cut the LSU lead to 13-10 with 13:17 left in the contest.

   For the rest of the game the defenses battled it out forcing a combined four punts, a turnover on downs, and finally, a huge game winning fumble with 1:19 left, caused by Harold Perkins Jr. to seal the 13-10 victory for LSU.
   
​   With the win, LSU is now 8-2 overall and 6-1 in SEC play.

   Next up the Tigers will host UAB in Tiger Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 19 for the final home game of the season. Kickoff is set for 8:00pm CST and will be televised on ESPN 2.   

    

Photos Below By: David Chivatero

**John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Find Jesus)

Da Boot Sports
11/10/2022
By: Terrill J. Weil


​   BATON ROUGE, LA - Coach Kelly held his Thursday afternoon press conference with the media to answer questions about LSU's next opponent, the Arkansas Razorbacks. 

   If Alabama beats Ole Miss, then SLSU is one win away from officially winning the SEC West and advancing to the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta on Dec. 3rd.

Da Boot Sports
11/9/2022
By: Terrill J. Weil


   BATON ROUGE, LA - Here at Da Boot Sports we are very honored and privileged to be able cover LSU athletics for you throughout the year.

   Game photos are a huge part of our coverage. I'm very blessed to have three of the hardest
working photographers who contribute their amazing photos to the publication. 

   A huge THANK YOU to staff photographers Michael Bacigalupi, David Chivatero and
freelance photographer Jonathan Mailhes. 

   Below are some of my favorite action shots from the Alabama victory...  Enjoy!
   

**John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Find Jesus)

Da Boot Sports
11/7/2022
By: Terrill J. Weil


   BATON ROUGE, LA - Brian Kelly met with the media on Monday after practice to answer more questions on the Alabama win before previewing the Arkansas Razorbacks who LSU will play next in Fayetteville on Saturday morning..

   Video of the press conference is below....

**John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Find Jesus)

Da Boot Sports
11/7/2022
LSU Sports Communications
By: Michael Bonnette


   BATON ROUGE – Three LSU players earned SEC Player of the Week honors for their performance in the thrilling 32-321 overtime win over Alabama on Saturday in Tiger Stadium.
 
The win over Alabama lifted LSU to a 7-2 overall mark and to 5-1 in league play. The Tigers return to action on Saturday, traveling to face Arkansas at 11 a.m. in Fayetteville.
 
Quarterback Jayden Daniels earned SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors for the second consecutive game, while linebacker Harold Perkins picked up defensive player of the week honors and tight end Mason Taylor was named freshman of the week.
 
Daniels rushed for 95 yards and a TD and threw for 182 yards and a pair of scores in LSU’s first win over Alabama in Tiger Stadium since 2010. Daniels rushed for a 25-yard TD on LSU’s first play in overtime and then clinched the win with his 2-point conversion pass to Taylor.
 
Daniels finished the game connecting on 22-of-32 passes for 182 yards, TD passes 30 and 7 yards with no interceptions. On the ground, Daniels carried the ball 18 times for 95 yards. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry against an Alabama defense that was allowing 2.7 yards per rush and just 94 yards per game.
 
Perkins, a true freshman, set a career-high with eight tackles, including a sack for a 6-yard loss, and a team-high three quarterback hurries in the win. He also broke up a pass in coverage on a third-down situation in third quarter, forcing an Alabama punt.
 
Perkins’ sack came on 3rd-and-5 at the LSU 6-yard line the second quarter, forcing an Alabama field goal, one of three redzone field goals for the Crimson Tide. LSU’s defense also held Alabama without a first half touchdown for first time this season as the Crimson Tide were limited to season lows for first half points (6) and points thru three quarters (9).
 
Taylor, also a true freshman, caught the game-winning 2-point conversion in overtime, snaring a pass from Daniels in the front corner of the endzone after the Tigers opted to go for two and the win. Taylor finished the game with three receptions for 36 yards, including a 7-yard TD reception from Daniels that put the Tigers up 24-21 with 1:47 left in the game.
 

Da Boot Sports
11/5/2022
By: David Penn


   BATON ROUGE, LA - The Brian Kelly naysayers are finding less and less reasons to dislike the hire at this point.

   Brian Kelly left the confines of South Bend because he believed that he could compete with Nick Saban as the coach of LSU, now you should believe it too.

​   In one of the most electric atmospheres in all of college football, Saturday night in Tiger Stadium, the first edition of the Brian Kelly era is in sole possession of first place in the SEC West with a legitimate chance to play for the SEC Championship.    

   LSU started the scoring with a screen pass from Jayden Daniels to John Emery Jr to give LSU a
7-0 advantage.

   The LSU defense ended Alabama’s first offensive possession with an interception in the end zone
when Jarrick Bernard-Converse came away with the football. The defense would then force three consecutive punts with the Alabama offense not traveling past the LSU 20 yard line.

   The Tide would start scoring points but the LSU defense limited the Bama offense to two first half field goals and a 7-6 half time lead.


   Alabama struck first in the second half with their third field goal to take a 9-7 lead.

   LSU would answer with its second touchdown of the game when Josh Williams rushed for a two yard score after a costly Alabama pass interference call on former Tiger Eli Ricks.

   Alabama scored their first touchdown of the game in the third quarter taking a 15-14 lead.

   The LSU offense would answer, driving down the field and regain the lead on a 32 yard field goal
by Damien Ramos. 

   Alabama would respond to the LSU score to grab the lead back when 2021 Heisman winner Bryce Young connected with Ja’Corey Brooks for a score. Young broke contain and avoided the LSU pressure before finding the wide open Brooks behind the Tigers' secondary.

   Daniels and the LSU offense once again answered, driving 75 yards in seven plays in just under
three minutes, scoring to give LSU a 24-21 lead with 1:47 left in the game. The score came after Daniels broke out of the pocket for a 31 yard gain, then Josh Williams would get LSU to first and goal from at the seven yard line with a hard nosed run into the teeth of the Alabama defense. Daniels finished the drive hitting freshman tight end Mason Taylor in the back of the end zone, giving LSU a 24-21 lead with just under two minutes to play in the contest.

   The final drive dramatics began with Alabama starting from their own 25 yard line. Young would move the Tide offense down the field, quickly into LSU territory.
   With Bama threatening from the LSU 28, the Tiger defense would hold the Tide to a 46 yard field goal try by Will Reichard. The successful field goal attempt would tie the game at 24-24 sending the game into overtime. 

​   Alabama started the first OT period on offense and drove the 25 yards to score on a two yard touchdown run to take the lead, 31-24. 

   LSU answered in electrifying fashion on their first possession of the first overtime on the first play when Jayden Daniels broke out of the pocket and scrambled 25 yards for the touchdown.

   But hold on! Brian Kelly wanted the win now, not later. Kelly would elect to go for the two
point conversion.
   On the attempt, Daniels rolled to his right and hit Mason Taylor in the flat, who was able to dive into the corner of the end zone for the two point score to win the game, 32-31. 

   With the win LSU is now 7-2 overall, 5                                           vvvf1 in SEC play while in sole possession of first place in the SEC West. 

   LSU now controls their own destiny with a now 84% chance to reach the SEC Championship Game
in Atlanta on Dec. 3rd.

   Up next for the Tigers is a trip to Fayetteville to take on Arkansas, Saturday morning at 11:00am. 

Photos Below By: Michael Bacigalupi

Photos Below By David Chivatero

Photos Below By: Jonathan Mailhes

**John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the light. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Find Jesus)

Da Boot Sports
11/3/2022
By: Terrill J. Weil


BATON ROUGE, LA - Can the LSU Fighting Tigers take down the Alabama Crimson Tide this Saturday night in Tiger Stadium? Many say no. I say yes they can and I believe that they will.

The winner of this game will take over first place in the SEC West and will have control of their own destiny as they move forward on the road to Atlanta for the SEC title game.

The Tide come to Baton Rouge ranked 6th in the nation with a 7-1, 4-1 record, while the Tigers, 6-2, 4-1 are ranked 10th nationally.

LSU will need to avoid another slow start, eliminating mistakes and penalties. If the Tigers fall behind to Alabama early, don't look for a second half comeback as Nick Saban and his team knows what's at stake and will play with a relentless attitude.
The Bayou Bengals will need to play up to their full potential for all 60 minutes of the ball game, keeping the fans on their feet and Death Valley deafening to have a chance to pull out a victory.

The LSU defense will need to shut down junior running back Jahmyr Gibbs, a transfer from Georgia Tech, and the Alabama running game.
Gibbs has averaged 6.9 yards per carry, rushing for 672 yards on 98 carries with six touchdowns. He's also a dangerous weapon in the passing game with 31 catches for 301 yards and three touchdowns.
If the Tigers can slow down the rushing game and apply pressure to Bryce Young throughout the contest, they will have a great chance to come away with a huge win.

Alabama has a good group of receivers, but they are missing that dangerous playmaker who can take over a game by dominating the secondary.
Quarterback Bryce Young has done a great job of spreading the ball around to several different receivers. Ja'Corey Brooks (21 catches, 376 yards, 4 TDs) and Traeshan Holden (21 catches, 266 yards, 5 TDs) are the Tides' two main scoring threats, but Jermaine Burton (20 catches, 306 yards, 3 TDs) and Kobe Prentice (28 catches, 279 yards, 1 TD) have been solid as well.

The LSU secondary will need to continue their strong play and tackle well all night. They will need to force Bama to earn everything they get. No free gifts on break downs or on costly penalties.
The return of Major Burns to the LSU lineup could be a huge factor in the contest.


Offensively, the Tigers need to continue to play the way they have over the last two games. As always, the offensive line will be the key of the game for the purple and gold. If the starting O-Line unit can play at a high level, the Tigers will be able to put a lot of points on the board.

A source has told us here at Da Boot Sports that the Alabama defensive front is coming into the game decimated with injuries. If the Tigers can win in the trenches and get the running game going, it will be a long night for the Crimson Tide.
LSU will have all running backs available on Saturday night as Brian Kelly stated that John Emery Jr.
will play after recovering from an Achilles injury.

Jayden Daniels must continue to play at a high level. He has shown tremendous confidence and improvement over the past few weeks.
Winning the time of possession will be key. To win the game Daniels must continue to take care of the ball and have an accurate night passing, while mixing in successful designed running plays for himself and big gain scrambles against the Alabama defense keeping them on the field. LSU's massive offensive front can then hopefully wear down the Tide defensively.

Brian Kelly and his staff have done an incredible job with this talented team. The players believe in their coach and his system. They have jelled into a hungry team, oozing with confidence.

This is a very good Alabama football team, but they lack the bite that their more recent teams
​have exhibited. They are very beatable.

I say LSU shocks the SEC and the country as they take down Alabama, 34-31 on a long Damian Ramos field goal late in the game.
Special teams will be the difference in this one, as at some point in the game LSU will return a punt
or kickoff for a huge gain to set up an important key score.

Here we geaux Tiger fans... It's another huge, meaningful contest between the Tigers and the
Tide... College Football at its BEST.... "Let the Valley Shake!"

**John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me," (Find Jesus)

Da Boot Sports
11/1/2022
By: Terrill J. Weil


   BATON ROUGE, LA - Brian Kelly met with the media to discuss the upcoming huge contest with
#6 Alabama in Tiger Stadium this Saturday. 

   A victory this weekend will put LSU in the driver's seat to win the SEC West and advance to the SEC Championship game on December 3rd. 

   It doesn't get any better then this folks! LSU vs. Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide in Death Valley on a Saturday night. "Let the Valley Shake!"
 

**John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Find Jesus)