Tiger Stadium gets face lift
Even though Tiger Stadium is 88 years old, it will have some new looks when the LSU football team opens its season there against North Texas on Sept. 1.
On the north end of the stadium, a new coating has been applied to the outer façade and a new lighting system has been installed that turns the upper archways purple and gold and lights the “LSU” on the stadium’s north scoreboard.
Another change scheduled for completion before the opener is a new portal gating system on the west side that will include a national championship plaza as well as plaques commemorating LSU All-Americans and members of the College Football Hall of Fame. Also, just below the west upper deck facing Nicholson Drive, the name “Tiger Stadium” is illuminated in 10-foot tall letters.
The change to the gating system will also result in a change in the numbering system on the west side of the stadium. Gates will now be numbered 1 through 6 from south to north at the west entry gates instead of the old “Portal A.”
“Tiger Stadium is a treasure in the world of college sports, and it is our obligation to maintain and improve it,” LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva said in a statement. “The original structure was built in 1924 so it takes constant attention, inside and out, to get it ready for every football season. We are not going to build a new stadium, so it is our responsibility to make this one a showpiece for years to come.”
The addition of the national championship plaza and commemorative plaques is similar to the plaza and plaques that surround Alex Box Stadium.
“These latest improvements to Tiger Stadium will help us tell the story of the history of Tiger football,” Alleva said. “Fans will be able to read about our greatest teams and our greatest players who will be forever honored on the gates of Death Valley.”
Ends pressure Mettenberger
Quarterback Zach Mettenberger should be ready for any pass rush that comes his way after facing ends Barkevious Mingo and Sam Montgomery — one of the best tandems in the country — in practice every day. He said their combination of speed and strength is something he hopes he doesn’t find in opposing ends.
“I told (Mingo) that I hated him just because there are so few guys out there that can run a 4.4 (40-yard dash) weighing 235 pounds and manhandle an offensive tackle the way he does,” Mettenberger said, jokingly.
“That makes our offensive line a lot better and hopefully will make me a lot better feeling pressure.”
Receivers’ job easier
Just as the ends’ effectiveness is helpful to Mettenberger and his blockers, so too is Mettenberger’s passing ability helpful to the receivers.
“It makes everything easier,” wide receiver James Wright said. “He makes it very easy to be a receiver. The ball’s on spot all the time. He controls the game. He never panics, he never gets nervous. He just makes it easy.”
Backs keep linemen on toes
LSU can rotate as many as six halfbacks through the backfield because they are so closely bunched. Offensive lineman Josh Dworaczyk said the revolving door keeps the linemen on their toes.
“I love it whenever you’ve got a guy and he’s pounding and he gets 50 yards on a drive, and then the next thing you know there’s a different guy in the backfield,” Dworaczyk said. “He’s like, ‘OK, guy, let’s go.’ A fresh guy comes in with fresh legs and he’s excited and he gets you going because we’re not subbing offensive linemen in and out like that so when a fresh running back come in it gets you excited as an offensive lineman because you’re thinking he’s going to run you over if you don’t get going. So you’re ready to roll for him.”