 Photo By: Michael Bacigalupi Da Boot Sports 12/28/2022 By: Terrill J. Weil BATON ROUGE, LA - LSU star wide receiver has changed his mind on staying at LSU for another season and will enter the 2023 NFL Draft. In early December, the week after the SEC Championship Game, Boutte took to Twitter announcing that he had decided to return to LSU for his final season hoping to help the Tigers win a national championship. However, news broke earlier on Wednesday afternoon that Boutte had now planned to skip the Citrus Bowl with no reason given. But it was mentioned that Brain Kelly said that Boutte was enrolled for spring semester. Three hours later news of his decision to enter the NFL draft was announced. Best of luck to Kayshon and his family. We wish him well and hope he has a successful NFL career.
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 Photo By: Terrill Weil Da Boot Sports 12/28/2022 By: Terrill J. Weil BATON ROUGE, LA - As our LSU Fighting Tigers prepare to take on the Purdue Boilermakers in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida on Dec. 2nd, Several key players will be missing from both teams. These are star players who have decided not to participate in the bowl game so they may begin preparation for the 2023 NFL Draft. It's a problem that has spread throughout the college football postseason as the opting out has caused several middle tier and small bowl games to lose their matchup appeal. Are we really going to see LSU vs. Purdue on December 2nd, two teams who played in their respected conference championship games? Or will we simply watch a watered down version of both teams, neither who will be at their best for the contest? Several key star players from many teams are passing on their school's bowl game unless the stakes are high like the CFB playoff games and it's not fair. It's not fair to the university. It's not fair to the program. It's not fair to their teammates, and it's certainly not fair to the fans who pay for expensive tickets and travel cost to support their team in a bowl game. Defensively LSU will be without starting defensive linemen Jaquelin Roy, BJ Ojulari and Ali Gaye. Joining them will be defensive back Mekhi Garner. Luckily only wide receiver Jaray Jenkins has opted out on the offensive side of the ball for the Tigers. Hats off to defensive back Jay Ward who declared for the draft, but has decided not to alienate his coaches or teammates and will play against the Boilermakers. Purdue will be missing their head coach Jeff Brohm who has accepted the head job at Louisville, (which I'm not a fan of a head coach leaving early either) and several key players who are opting out for the draft, (quarterback Aiden O'Connell, receiver Charlie Jones, tight end Payne Durham and two of their top defenders, linebacker Jalen Graham and cornerback Corey Trice). Some will argue that it's the right thing to do to avoid injury playing in a final 'meaningless' college football game, but I see it differently and I apologize to those who disagree with my opinion. Injuries are a part of sports. It's a chance you take from the time you lace up your cleats in little league. Play your season out. "I say you should play your final college game." said former LSU linebacker Ron Sancho. "You have an obligation to your school and your team. It's selfishness. In college football there is no "ME", It's "WE"... That's why there's no "I" in "TEAM". I agree with finish with you start. Others like Da Boot Sports writer/podcast host, David Penn feels differently about the situation. "Depending on the situation I don't necessarily mind it. I'd rather a player not play then get injured and miss their draft position. That's a lot of money to risk." Penn would then add. "If we're talking about the playoffs or the national championship, then yes, I expect them to play. But playing against an 8-5 team is not likely going to improve your draft stock." It's estimated that 51% of football injuries occur during training sessions. So these young men who are passing on their final college football game are still more likely to suffer an injury during workouts and running drills to prepare for the next level then playing full speed in their final game. Some aren't thinking about their future when they want to stay in a one-sided contest because they want to capture a record that's in reach during the game..... Play your final college football game. "If you're so worried about getting injured, why did you play the season?" added Sancho. "You never know what the future brings. When you have an opportunity to play, then you play." An LSU vs. Purdue matchup with both teams fielding their top players would be an incredible contest to watch. But sadly, it's not what the fans will get. An extra victory on your former team's record can make a huge difference going into the next season. This is an important game for LSU. 10-4 looks light years better than 9-5. I feel that it's simply an obligation that you should have to your team and even yourself. Showcase your abilities where it matters, on the playing field. What does the future hold if this opting out pattern continues in college football? Does it lead to a playoff system with a larger field than 12, lets say 24 teams and do away with bowl games for everyone else? Most feel, including myself, that there are too many bowl games in existence today. Bowl games are meant to be an award for playing a successful season, not for a bunch of mediocre 6-6 teams to play an extra boring contest in a empty stadium. But I do like the idea of the bowl system before it got out of control. I think schools with a successful regular season should be awarded an extra game in an exciting bowl experience while we separate the few elite in a playoff system. I feel like the opting out has gotten out of hand and it's ruining the college football postseason... Please finish what you start.... Da Boot Sports would love to hear from you. Please leave your opinion 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." (Give you life to Jesus)  Photo By: Jonathan Mailhes Da Boot Sports 12/23/2022 LSU Sports Communications By: Michael Bonnette BATON ROUGE – LSU officially added seven transfers to its roster for the 2023 season, a group that includes four defensive linemen, a pair of cornerbacks and a wide receiver, head coach Brian Kelly announced on Friday. LSU’s roster additions feature two of the nation’s top high school prospects for the Class of 2022 in wide receiver Aaron Anderson (Alabama) and cornerback Denver Harris (Texas A&M). The Tigers also added one of the top cornerbacks in FCS football over the past two years in Zy Alexander (Southeastern Louisiana). On the defensive line, LSU signed Jordan Jefferson (West Virginia), Jalen Lee (Florida), Paris Shand (Arizona) and Bradyn Swinson (Oregon). The group of transfers includes one senior, four juniors, a sophomore and a redshirt freshman. “We are excited to welcome these seven outstanding football players to our team,” Kelly said. “This group helps fill some immediate needs for our team, especially on the defensive line. Our staff did a great job of vetting each of these players to make sure they fit our program, not only from an ability standpoint, but more importantly, ensuring they are high character young men who are committed to academics. “It’s important that when you add transfers to your roster, they have the traits we are looking for as we continue our mission to Graduate Champions. Along with the outstanding group of freshmen we signed on Wednesday, we feel with this group of young men will significantly improve our roster for the present and the future of LSU football.” Release here with full bios on each player: https://lsusports.net/news/2022/12/23/football-adds-seven-transfers-to-2023-roster/ 2023 LSU Football – December Transfer Signees Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl.-Exp. Hometown (Previous School) Zy Alexander CB 6-3 185 Jr.-Trf. Loreauville, La. (Southeastern Louisiana) Aaron Anderson WR 5-9 184 RFr.-Trf. New Orleans, La. (Alabama) Denver Harris CB 6-1 175 So.-Trf. Houston, Texas (Texas A&M) Jordan Jefferson DT 6-4 305 Sr.-Trf. Navarre, Fla. (West Virginia) Jalen Lee DT 6-2 299 Jr.-Trf. Watson, La. (Florida) Paris Shand DT 6-5 290 Jr.-Trf. Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Arizona) Bradyn Swinson JACK 6-4 233 Jr.-Trf. Douglasville, Ga. (Oregon) Zy Alexander Cornerback 6-3 * 185 * Jr.-Trf. Loreauville, La. (Loreauville HS/Southeastern Louisiana)
Transfer from Southeastern Louisiana where he was a 3-year starter for the Lions … Helped the Lions to back-to-back appearances in the FCS Playoffs in 2021 and 2022 … Lions went 9-4 in both 2021 and 2022, falling in the second round of the FCS Playoffs each year … Twice named first team All-Southland Conference … Earned All-America honors in 2021 … Appeared in 31 games at Southeastern, registering 97 tackles, 12 pass breakups and 9 interceptions … Had 6 interceptions at Southeastern in 2021 and returned 2 interceptions for TDs in 2022 … Prepped at Loreauville High School where he was also a standout in baseball. Aaron Anderson Wide Receiver 5-9 * 184 * RFr.-Trf. New Orleans, La. (Edna Karr HS/Alabama) One of the nation’s top prep wide receivers for the Class of 2022 … Native of New Orleans and prepped at Edna Karr High School … Spent one season at Alabama and redshirted after appearing in one game for the Crimson Tide in 2022 … 5-star wide receiver and rated as the No. 1 player in Louisiana for the Class of 2022 … Named the New Orleans Metro Offensive Player of the Year by the Times-Picayune in 2021 … Finished high school career with 20 returns for touchdowns and over 6,000 total yards … Returned 5 kickoffs for TDs as a senior in 2021 and added 74 receptions for 926 yards and 14 scores. Denver Harris Cornerback 6-1 * 175 * So. * Trf. Houston, Texas (Northshore HS/Texas A&M) Transfer cornerback from Texas A&M … One of the nation’s top cornerback prospects for the Class of 2022 … Former 5-star recruit from Northshore High School in Houston … Under Armour All-America as a senior in high school … Appeared in 5 games as a true freshman in 2022 … 14 tackles, 3 pass breakups for the Aggies in 2022 …. Had 4 tackles vs. Alabama and a pair of pass breakups vs. Mississippi State … Named to the Athletics’ mid-season Freshman All-America team in 2022. Jordan Jefferson Defensive Tackle 6-4 * 305 * Sr. * Trf. Navarre, Fla. (Navarre HS/West Virginia) Transfer from West Virginia … Appeared in 42 games with 17 starts at nose tackle during his four years with the Mountaineers … 54 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks … Two-time member of the Academic All-Big 12 Team (2021 and 2022) … Started all 12 games at defensive tackle in 2022 and led the team in tackles for loss with 9.5 … Played high school football at Navarre High School in Navarre, Florida … His dad AJ Jefferson played college football at Alcorn State. Jalen Lee Defensive Tackle 6-2 * 299 * Jr. * Trf. Watson, La. (Live Oak HS/Florida) Louisiana product who joined the Tigers after transferring from Florida … Spent 3 years with the Gators, appearing in 25 games with 4 starts … Played nose tackle for the Gators where he recorded 19 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sacks during his three years in Gainesville … One of Louisiana’s top defensive line prospects for the Class of 2020 … Played high school football at Live Oak where he was a 2-time all-district selection and a member of the Baton Rouge Advocate’s All-Metro Team in 2019. Paris Shand Defensive Tackle 6-5 * 290 * Jr. * Trf. Toronto, Ontario, Canada (The Loomis Chaffee School/Arizona) Tremendous all-around athlete who joins the Tigers after transferring from Arizona … Spent three years at Arizona, appearing in 24 games with 10 starts … 41 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks at Arizona … Started 7 games in 2022 … Had 1.5 sacks vs. Mississippi State in 2022 … Standout basketball player as well … Member of Canada’s U16 National Team in 2017, winning a silver medal at the FIBA U16 Americas Championship in Argentina … Born in Canada … Played high school football at the Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Connecticut … Dad Kevin Shand played college basketball at Duquesne, was a member of the Canadian National Team and played professionally overseas. Bradyn Swinson Edge/Jack 6-4 * 233 * Jr. * Trf. Douglasville, Ga. (Chapel Hill HS/Oregon) Talented edge rusher who joined the Tigers after transferring from Oregon … Signed with the Tigers in December of 2022 … Spent 3 years at Oregon, appearing in 30 games with 1 start … 35 career tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks … Pac-12 Defensive Lineman of the Week for his performance in win over Ohio State in 2021 … Highly-recruited prospect in the Class of 2020 … Earned Pac-12 Defensive Lineman of the Week for his performance in Oregon’s win over Ohio State in 2021.  Photo By: Jonathan Mailhes Da Boot Sports 12/22/2022 By: Terrill J. Weil BATON ROUGE, LA - Merry Christmas Tigers fans! Many of you will be excited to hear that LSU starting quarterback Jayden Daniels has announced that he will return next season for his senior year. Daniels lead LSU to a 9-4 record in 2022 and has an opportunity to help his team win ten games as LSU prepares to battle the Purdue Boilermakers in the Citrus Bowl on January 2nd. He finished the regular season passing for 2,774 yards with 16 touchdowns and only three interceptions while completing 68.5% of his passes. Daniels was also very productive on the ground as he rushed for 818 yards on 180 attempts with 11 rushing touchdowns. At regular season's end, Jayden was named the winner of the Charles McClendon Most Valuable Player Award, the team MVP. Now Tiger fans will sit impatiently, waiting to see if Brian Kelly can keep the quarterback room intact. Will Garrett Nussmeier and/or Walker Howard have the patience and confidence that either of them can stay and win the job from Daniels in 2023? Personally, I feel that you have what you have with Daniels. A young man who does a fantastic job of taking care of the football and provides the mobility to make things happen when a play breaks down. However, most notice that against quality opponents he struggles to read coverages and find open receivers down field. Something that has frustrated not only the LSU fan base, but the LSU receiving corp. I think Daniels has reached his ceiling while Nussmeier and Howard are just as talented and can give you the down field vertical attack that can resemble the 2019 football team. Will Daniels go into 2023 still named the LSU starter? Or will Kelly announce there will be an open competition for the position and may the best quarterback win? Hold your breath Tiger fans.. Spring football practice can't get here quick enough.  *John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Give your life to Jesus) Da Boot Sports Supports Autism Awareness  Photo By: Jonathan Mailhes Da Boot Sports 12/21/2022 By: Terrill J. Weil BATON ROUGE, LA - The Tigers 2023 early signing day went as expected, landing loads of talented players in key positions. LSU's top needs were at tight end, the secondary and the offensive and defensive line. Brian Kelly and his staff have done a great job addressing those positions in this class. The two surprises of the day came when LSU lost 4-star cornerback Daylen Austin to Oregon, but then flipped Vanderbilt commit Ka'Morreun Pimpton, a 4-star 6-6, 220 pound tight end from Fort Worth, Texas. Brian Kelly's class of 25 signees was rated 6th at the end of the first day of the early signing period by 247Sports, On3 and Rivals, but that ranking could change if Desmond Ricks a 5-Star cornerback out of IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL) commits to LSU on Thursday. Losing Austin to Oregon may be just the blessing that the Tigers need to land Ricks, who most believe LSU is the favorite for his services. “We are super excited about the 25 freshman we have signed,” Brian Kelly said. “We focused strictly on recruiting to LSU the players we want here, ones that we believe will be successful here and players that we can develop. That was our mindset. We recruited those players that we believe understand our mission to graduate champions. We are excited about developing them in the classroom, in the community and on the football field.” 2023 LSU Football – December Signees Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown (High School) Tyree Adams OL 6-6 282 Marrero, La. (St. Augustine) Christian Brathwaite LB 6-1 213 Cypress, Texas (Cypress Ranch) Jalen Brown WR 6-0 165 Miami, Fla. (Gulliver Prep) Dylan Carpenter JACK 6-4 234 St. Amant, La. (St. Amant) DJ Chester OL 6-4 315 Conyers, Ga. (Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy) Rickie Collins QB 6-2 185 Baton Rouge, La. (Woodlawn) Michael Daugherty S 6-0 171 Lawrenceville, Ga. (Grayson) Lance Heard OL 6-6 308 Monroe, La. (Neville) Trey Holly RB 5-7 189 Farmerville, La. (Union Parish) Jaxon Howard DE 6-4 243 Crystal, Minn. (Robbinsdale Cooper) Jeremiah Hughes CB 6-0 176 North Las Vegas, Nev. (Bishop Gorman) Kaleb Jackson RB 5-11 222 Baton Rouge, La. (Liberty Magnet) Kylin Jackson S 6-2 196 Clinton, La. (Zachary) Mac Markway TE 6-3 243 St. Louis, Mo. (De Smet Jesuit) Jackson McGohan TE 6-3 231 Miamisburg, Ohio (Miamisburg) Paul Mubenga OL 6-4 291 Buford, Ga. (Buford) Kyle Parker WR 5-11 182 Allen, Texas (Lovejoy) Ka’Morreun Pimpton TE 6-6 227 Fort Worth, Texas (North Crowley) Khai Prean WR 6-0 193 Belle Rose, La. (St. James) Shelton Sampson Jr. WR 6-3 187 Baton Rouge, La. (Catholic) Ashton Stamps CB 6-0 167 Harvey, La. (Archbishop Rummel) Javien Toviano CB 6-0 186 Arlington, Texas (Martin) Whit Weeks LB 6-3 200 Watkinsville, Ga. (Oconee County) Da’Shawn Womack DE 6-5 244 Parkville, Md. (St. Frances Academy) Ryan Yaites Jr. S 6-0 193 Denton, Texas (John H. Guyer) “We were looking for balance on offense and defense, which I think is what we got,” Kelly said. “You are always looking for players to impact immediately. This is a class that I believe, when we recruit them, we are asking them to immediately impact LSU football. That means represent LSU in a positive way in the classroom, in the community and as it relates to football, so be ready to compete immediately.” The Tigers are not finished yet as Brian Kelly is expecting LSU to end up with right under 40 new players on the roster by the end of this offseason. Below is video of Brian Kelly's press conference at the conclusion of the day. *John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Give your life to Jesus)  Photo By: Michael Bacigalupi Da Boot Sports 12/19/2022 By: Terrill J. Weil BATON ROUGE, LA - Brian Kelly held a press conference to discuss the progress of the team as they prepare for their matchup with the Purdue Boilermakers in the Citrus Bowl on Dec. 2 in Orlando, Florida. Since the SEC Championship game there's been a few changes to the team roster due to players entering the NCAA Transfer Portal as well as some announcing intensions to forgo their final season in the purple and gold to enter the NFL Draft. 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." (Give your life to Jesus)  Photo By: Terrill Weil Da Boot Sports 12/16/2022 By: Terrill J. Weil BATON ROUGE, LA - LSU received great news on Thursday afternoon when 4-star cornerback Javien Toviano out of Martin High (Arlington, Texas) committed to the Tigers. This exciting news came after cornerback Jaelyn Davis-Robinson announced that he will enter the NCAA transfer portal earlier in the day. Davis-Robinson's announcement is another huge blow to LSU's thinnest position on the team, as he's now the third underclassmen at the cornerback position to enter the portal joining both Raydarious Jones and Damarius McGhee. The portal departures, combined with Sevyn Banks, Colby Richardson and Jarrick Bernard-Converse finishing their eligibility, in addition to Mekhi Garner deciding to enter the NFL draft early has put Brian Kelly in the same situation as last season, a depleted secondary. The Tigers will return no one at the corner position with playing experience. Brian Kelly has managed to bring in three highly rated cornerbacks in this 2023 recruiting class so far, (Daylen Austin, Jeremiah Hughes and Javien Toviano) and are still in the running for 5-star Desmond Ricks out of IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL), but has yet to target anyone at the cornerback position through the transfer portal to help fill the huge game experience void that is haunting 'DBU'. 2022 PLAYERS WHO HAVE ENTERED THE TRANSFER PROTAL as of 12/15/2022: Marcus Dumervil - OL Derrick Davis Jr. - S/RB Cam Wire - OL Kolbe Fields - LB Kole Taylor - TE Desmond Little - EDGE Raydarious Jones - CB Jack Bech - WR Damarius McGhee - CB Philip Webb - EDGE Antoine Sampah - LB Jaelyn Davis-Robinson - CB 2023 TRANFER PORTAL TARGETS as of 12/15/2022: Paris Shand - DL - Arizona Josaiah Stewart - DL - Coastal Carolina Kyle Marlock - TE - Shorter University Bradyn Swinson - EDGE - Oregon *John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Give your life to Jesus)  Photo By: Jonathan Mailhes Da Boot Sports 12/7/2022 By: Terrill J. Weil BATON ROUGE, LA - Brian Kelly participated in a zoom press conference on Sunday to discuss the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl and his opponent, the Purdue Boilermakers. Video of the press conference is below for your viewing... Video courtesy of WBRZ TV  Photo By: Michael Bacigalupi Da Boot Sports 12/6/2022 LSU Sports Communications By: Michael Bonnette BATON ROUGE – Junior defensive end BJ Ojulari headlined a list of four LSU players named to the 2022 SEC Coaches’ All-SEC team, the league office announced on Tuesday. Ojulari earned first team All-SEC honors, while a trio of Tigers – offensive tackle Will Campbell, linebacker Harold Perkins, and defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo – were named to the second team. LSU’s list of all-conference selections helped the Tigers to a 9-4 overall mark and the SEC Western Division Championship. The Tigers finished the league schedule with a 6-2 mark and became only the third team in conference history to advance to the SEC Championship Game a year after finishing last in its division. Ojulari, a permanent team captain, led a Tiger defense that ranked among the best in the conference, racking up 58 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. Ojulari was twice named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week in 2022. Perkins, a true freshman from New Orleans, had one of the most impressive rookie seasons for any defender in school history, leading the Tigers in both sacks (6.5) and tackles for loss (11.5). He added 69 total tackles and 13 quarterback hurries. Perkins was twice named SEC Defensive Player of the Week in 2022 – winning the award for his play in victories over Alabama and Arkansas. Wingo, a sophomore defensive tackle in his first year at LSU after transferring from Missouri, started 12 games for the Tigers and recorded 44 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. He recovered two fumbles and forced another in becoming one of the most productive defensive linemen in the SEC. Wingo earned SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week recognition for his performance in LSU’s 45-20 win over No. 7 Ole Miss. Last year at Missouri, Wingo earned a spot on the Freshman All-SEC team. Campbell, one of four true freshmen in the LSU starting lineup, started 12 games at left tackle for the Tigers in 2022. Campbell became the first true freshman in LSU history to start a season-opener at left tackle and he set the school record for starts by a true freshman offensive lineman with 12. Campbell helped pave the way for an LSU rushing attack that averaged 181 yards per game, which included an LSU quarterback rushing record of 818 yards by Jayden Daniels. Daniels also set the LSU record for rushing TDs by a quarterback with 11. LSU (9-4) returns to action on Jan. 2 when the Tigers face Purdue (8-5) in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in Orlando.  Photo By: Jonathan Mailhes Da Boot Sports 12/6/2022 LSU Sports Communications By: Michael Bonnette BATON ROUGE – Four members of LSU’s highly-touted freshman class have been named to the College Football News Freshman All-America Team, the news organization announced on Tuesday. Offensive tackle Will Campbell and linebacker Harold Perkins were named to the first team, while offensive tackle Emery Jones Jr. was a third team selection and tight end Mason Taylor earned honorable mention status. LSU was the only team in college football with two players named to the first team. All four LSU selections played a significant role in the Tigers winning the SEC Western Division and finishing the regular season with a 9-4 overall mark. Behind the play of the freshmen group, LSU became only the third team in the SEC Championship Game era to go from last place in the league the year before to winning its division the following season. Perkins, a New Orleans native, twice earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors and put together one of the best all-around seasons for a linebacker in LSU history. He led the Tigers in sacks (6.5) and tackles for loss (11.5) on his way to becoming just the third true freshman in LSU history to earn first-team AP All-SEC honors. Perkins, who had a career-best 10 tackles against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, ranks third on the team with 69 total tackles. Campbell, a Monroe native, started 12 games at left tackle the Tigers, becoming the first true freshman in LSU history to start at that position for the length of the season. Campbell helped pave the way for an LSU rushing attack that averaged 181.1 yards per game. Campbell earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors for his performance in LSU’s win over Florida. Jones, from Baton Rouge, took over as the starter at right tackle in week 3 against Mississippi State and started the final 10 games at the position for the Tigers. The Tigers posted an 8-2 mark with Campbell and Jones in the starting lineup. Taylor, who caught the game-winning two-point conversion in overtime against Alabama, hauled in 33 passes for 326 yards and a pair of TDs. He ranks No. 5 on LSU’s single-season reception list for tight ends and is just two catches shy of tying the LSU freshman mark. Taylor, a native of Plantation, Florida, started LSU’s final 12 game of the season and caught at least one pass in 12 games.  Photo By: Jonathan Mailhes Da Boot Sports 12/6/2022 By: Terrill J. Weil BATON ROUGE, LA - Brian Kelly and the LSU football program received some good news Monday afternoon when junior wide receiver Kayshon Boutte announced he will return for his senior season. Most expected the All-American wideout to forgo his final season in the purple and gold to enter the NFL draft. The bad news that has been leaked today is that wide receiver Jack Bech has decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal. Shea Dixon has reported that the Tigers have offered a defensive tackle out of the transfer portal. Western Michigan's Braden Fiske, who has 148 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks in his career. He is a graduate student. The Tigers (9-4) will head to Orlando, Florida to compete in the Citrus Bowl against the Purdue Boilermakers (8-5) on January 2 in Camping World Stadium. It will be the first time that LSU and Purdue have ever met in football. An LSU victory would end a two game losing streak and give the Bayou Bengals a ten win season. *John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)  Photo By: David Chivatero Da Boot Sports 12/4/2022 LSU Sports Communications By: Michael Bonnette BATON ROUGE – LSU will meet Purdue on the gridiron for the first time on Jan. 2 when the Tigers face the Boilermakers in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, the Florida Citrus Sports announced on Sunday evening.Kickoff is set for noon CT on Jan. 2 from Camping World Stadium in Orlando. ABC will televise the game. This year’s Cheez-It Citrus Bowl will feature the champions of the SEC Western Division again the champions of the Big Ten’s Western Division. LSU, ranked No. 15 in the AFCA Coaches Poll, No. 16 in the AP Poll and No. 17 in the CFP Rankings, brings a 9-4 overall mark into the contest. The Tigers are coming off a 50-30 loss to No. 1 Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. Purdue, winners of its last three regular-season games, is 8-5 overall following a 43-22 setback to No. 2 Michigan in the Big Ten Championship Game. LSU, who has appeared in a bowl game 22 out of the last 23 years, is 2-3 all-time in the Citrus Bowl. The Tigers most recently appeared in the Citrus Bowl during the 2017 season, dropping a 21-17 decision to a then-Brian Kelly coached Notre Dame. LSU’s last win in the Citrus Bowl came during the 2016 season when the Tigers shutdown Louisville and Heisman Trophy quarterback Lamar Jackson, winning that game, 29-9. LSU’s six Citrus Bowl appearances tie for most appearances in the game among FBS programs. The Tigers will open the 2023 season in Camping World Stadium when LSU faces Florida State.  Photo By: Michael Bacigalupi Da Boot Sports 12/4/2022 By: Terrill J. Weil ATLANTA, GA - The Western Division Champion LSU Fighting Tigers traveled to Atlanta to take on the top ranked Georgia Bulldogs for the 2022 SEC Championship on Saturday afternoon. LSU arrived in Atlanta as a 17 and a half point underdog, with no one giving them much of a chance to take down the mighty Bulldogs. While Georgia, the defending national champions finished off their second consecutive undefeated regular season and now looked to win the SEC Title and advance to the CFP to repeat as champions, and that they did as they dominated LSU for a 50-30 victory. After a close, competitive first quarter, the Bulldogs shifted their offense into high gear and had their way with the LSU defense for the remainder of the contest. The Tigers obviously faced the best team in the nation on Saturday night. Even though they were outmatched, the Bayou Bengals showed fight and grit, battling to the end. Hats off to our LSU Fighting Tigers. No one expected this group of young men to have much success in 2022 and they exceeded any and all expectations to have a very good season. A season that was a lot of fun to watch. "Congratulations to Kirby Smart and the University of Georgia of being the SEC champs. They were the better football team today. Proud of my team. Proud of the fight that they gave today. We were just a little short." Brian Kelly began his press conference saying. "Some key plays obviously in the game were pivotal. Obviously the special teams play early. Inability to get off the field on third down. Fourth down, a couple opportunities that we had to convert." "In its totality, you're talking about five or six plays where, look, could have, would have, should have, right? The best team won today. I love the way our guys competed. They fought. That's who they are. That's the identity of this team all year." Kelly added. "Unfortunately we were not clean enough in some of those areas against the No. 1 team in the country. When you're playing the best team in the country for an SEC championship, those things are going to come back and affect the outcome. But as I told them in the locker room, we've got a great foundation. It's a young football team that will take this lesson and build off of it. So excited to have the opportunity to coach 'em." It looked like LSU would be the first team to score as they drove 69 yards on 14 plays, but the Bulldogs took advantage of a LSU special teams mistake. Damian Ramos' field goal attempt was blocked and Christopher Smith of Georgia picked up the ball and raced 96 yards for a touchdown. None of the LSU players reacted to the blocked ball, as they began to leave the field allowing the Bulldogs the easy score. The LSU offense returned to the field and answered the Georgia score in explosive fashion. Jayden Daniels found Kayshon Boutte on a crossing route, which he turned into a beautiful 53 yard touchdown. It took LSU only three plays to go 75 yards for the score. 7-7 with 2:21 left in the first quarter. The sleeping giant Georgia offense suddenly became fully awake, driving 75 yards in seven plays to regain the lead 14-7 on a three yard touchdown pass from Stetson Bennett to Brock Bowers. Things for LSU went from bad to worse to start the second quarter when a Daniels pass that was intended for Jack Bech was batted into the air, bounced off of Bech's helmet and was intercepted by Smael Mondon Jr. at the LSU 22 yard line. On the very next play, Bennet found Ladd McConkey in the end zone for the score. The 22 yard touchdown pass put the top ranked Bulldogs up, 21-7 with 14:43 left in the first half. The Bulldogs continued to poor it on, scoring twice more on their next two possessions to take a commanding 35-7 lead with 32 seconds left in the first half. Georgia easily moved the ball 76 yards in 13 plays with Bennet finishing off the drive with a 14 yard touchdown pass to Darnell Washington. After a quick LSU three and out, the Bulldogs flexed their muscles once more, quickly driving 55 yards on only five plays. culminating with a three yard touchdown pass from Bennett to Dillon Bell. The Bayou Bengals would take over with 32 seconds left on the clock and drive 51 yards in seven plays to have Damian Ramos kick a 42 yard field goal on the final play of the half. 35-10, Georgia at the break. Garrett Nussmeier would start the second half for the Tigers and lead the offense to a quick score, driving 57 yards in only three plays, as Nussmeier hit Malik Nabers on a 34 yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 35-17 with 10:33 left in the third quarter. The Bulldogs continued to run right at the LSU defense, powering their way down the field to extend the lead to 42-17 with 3:32 left in the quarter. The score ended an eight play, 95 yard drive, as Kenny McIntosh punched it in from two yards out. LSU's offense had no quit in them, as they drove 65 yards on four plays on their next possession, with Noah Cain scoring from one yard out. The two point conversion failed as the score now stood at 42-23 as the third quarter came to an end. The Bulldogs would add their final score of the contest early in the fourth quarter on an eight yard touchdown run by Kenny McIntosh as Georgia lead 50-23 with 13:13 left on the clock. The LSU offense was able to find the end zone one more time at the 7:12 mark when Nussmeier found Jaray Jenkins for a 33 yard touchdown pass on fourth and ten. With the disappointing defeat, the Tigers are now 9-4 on the season and will wait to find out their bowl game destination and opponent. 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 life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Give your life to Jesus)  Photo By: Jonathan Mailhes Da Boot Sports 12/1/2022 By: Terrill J. Weil BATON ROUGE, LA - Mekhi Mingo, Mason Taylor and Mekhi Garner met with the media after practice on Wednesday afternoon to answer questions about playing Georgia in the SEC Championship Game this weekend in Atlanta. Video clips are below of the press conference... GEAUX TIGERS!!! **John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus into your heart as your Lord and Savior...) |