By David Steinle
Special to LSUsports.net
For LSU junior defensive back Corey Webster, his LSU career hasn’t come off quite as smoothly as he envisioned after starring in basketball and football at St. James High School.
Webster did not qualify academically to play as a true freshman, although he practiced with the football team as a partial qualifier in 2000, meaning he would give up a year of eligibility unless he were to graduate by the spring of 2004, whereby the NCAA would restore the lost year.
The academic difficulties also derailed his hopes of contributing to John Brady‘s basketball team before he could even suit up for a practice. Next, the former quarterback found himself during he 2001 football season in a logjam at wide receiver, as the former quarterback caught seven passes for the SEC champions behind such stars as Josh Reed, Michael Clayton and Jerel Myers.
With Webster’s athletic ability not being utilized on the offensive side of the ball, the Tiger coaching staff switched Webster to the secondary in spring practice.
But things didn’t seem to get better for Webster. He did not play in LSU’s season-opening loss at Virginia Tech, and then against The Citadel, he committed a block in the back penalty that nullified a punt return for a touchdown by Dominick Davis.
Four tackles against Miami (Ohio) didn’t hint at a breakout by Webster, but he more than proved his worth in the Tigers’ 31-13 victory over Mississippi State on Saturday in the SEC opener. Against the Bulldogs, Webster intercepted two passes and broke up three others as he led a Tiger secondary that limited MSU’s Kevin Fant to 15-of-39 passing for 122 yards.
Webster’s first career interception came with just under three minutes to go in the third quarter with Mississippi State looking to overcome a 21-10 deficit. His 26-yard return to the Bulldog 9 set up a 26-yard field goal by John Corbello that put LSU ahead by two touchdowns and effectively ended the competitive phase of the contest.
The Bulldogs appeared ready to make the score respectable with five minutes remaining, as MSU made its deepest penetration of the second half by reaching the LSU 17, but when Fant tried to hit Terrell Grindle in the corner, but instead Webster made his second pickoff with a diving stab.
The second interception for Webster makes him the first Tiger to snag two picks in one game since Damien James recorded a pair of interceptions last year at Kentucky.
The Tigers picked up a third interception late in the game by Demetrius Hoofkin, LSU’s sixth in the last two meetings with MSU.