LSU fans urged to arrive early
LSU is advising fans attending the game against Alabama on Saturday night to arrive earlier than usual because an excessive number of people are expected be on campus for the SEC showdown.
ESPN’s College GameDay will be broadcasting live from the LSU Parade Ground from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The university is encouraging fans who are not staying for the game to park east of Highland Road.
No backpacks or bags larger than 8”x 11” are permitted in the stadium.
Additionally there will be limited pedestrian access to gates in the southeast corner of the stadium for fans coming from South Stadium Drive due to a construction zone. Gates most impacted by the construction zone are Gates 11, 12, 14, 18 (Tiger Den Suites) and 20 (East Ramp), as well as Portal B on the southwest corner of the stadium.
For fans who enter through Gates 11, 12, 14, 18 and 20 on the east side of the stadium, the encouraged pedestrian route is to use Fieldhouse Drive and walk down to the stadium via Powerhouse Lane and walkways by Hatcher Hall and Johnston Hall.
Although all gates will be open, fans who sit in the south end zone are encouraged to use Gates 1-3 on the west side of the stadium. Fans can go towww.LSUsports.net/SEZ for a map of the construction zone and suggested walking routes to the stadium.
LSU will issue shuttle passes for use of the Alex Box West Handicap Shuttle. Only vehicles that use state-issued handicap identification to park in the Alex Box West lot for handicap purposes will be issued shuttle passes. An attendant will hand out shuttle passes for the number of individuals in cars that park in the Alex Box West lot.
Shuttle passes will be required for pregame and postgame use of the Handicap Shuttle. Shuttle buses will drop off and pick up only on South Stadium Drive west of Portal B.
LSU also reminds fans to beware of stolen and counterfeit tickets because of the unusually high demand for tickets. Anyone who purchases a stolen or counterfeit ticket can be denied admission at the gates and subject to investigation.
The only authorized outlet for LSU football tickets is the LSU Athletic Ticket Office.
Wing: Tigers can be special
When LSU and Alabama met in Tuscaloosa last November the one area where the Tigers had a clear edge on paper was special teams, and that wound up being a big factor in LSU’s 9-6 overtime victory.
Drew Alleman made all three of his of field goals and his Tide counterparts were a combined 2-for-6. Brad Wing had four punts that were downed inside the 20, and his 73-yarder was crucial is turning the field position in the Tigers’ favor in the fourth quarter.
But statistically Alabama and LSU are much more even this year.
LSU’s net punting average of 39.2 is two yards less than last season’s average. Wing admitted he hasn’t been as effective as last year, but he still thinks he and the rest of the Tigers’ special teams can again be difference-makers.
“We go into this game expecting us to win it for us,” Wing said. “We know our role is big every week, but especially this week it’s huge. Field position is going to be big, field goals are going to be huge, coverage, all that stuff because they’re very good on offense and very good on defense. We think we can get the edge on them on special teams.”
Miles changes hats
LSU’s offensive line has played better the last two games after adjusting to replacing three starters. Head coach Les Miles, who was an offensive lineman at Michigan and has coached the position as an assistant, has done a little hands-on coaching of late.
“Coach Miles has really stepped up as far as his involvement with the offensive line,” tackle Josh Dworaczyk said. “That’s his background. He’s really been involved with us at practice and using that in the games and I think that’s part of the reason that the offensive line is doing better.”
Miles downplayed his role.
“I appreciate Josh saying that, but he was basically just being kind to the head coach who was hanging around the drills,” Miles said. “We take a fundamental approach. We want to make our technique better. (Offensive line coach Greg Studrawa) really orchestrates the drill and I get to play (graduate assistant). I get to come over and assist. It’s always fun for me.”
Old and young on line
Dworaczyk, a sixth-year senior, replaced Chris Faulk (knee injury) at left tackle, redshirt freshman Trai Turner replaced Josh Williford (concussion) at right guard and freshman Vadal Alexander replaced Alex Hurst (personal issue) at right tackle.
Quarterback Zach Mettenberger explained the changes this way: “I think we’ve finally found the right combination of guys who can get the job done — two young guys on the right side and a very old guy on the left side.”
Miles said “all hands” were at practice Tuesday, indicating that Williford, who hasn’t played since being injured at Florida on Oct. 6, was among them.
Free ‘Tiger Towels’
Capital One Bank is giving away a “Tiger Towel” for fans to wave during Saturday’s game as part of the bank’s “Show Your Stripes” campaign.
The towels will be available in all Louisiana Capital One branches all this week, and they will also be distributed in Tiger Stadium on Saturday.