IRVING, Texas — The No. 25 LSU Tigers continued its preparations for the 67th SBC Cotton Bowl Classic with a physical, two-and-a-half hour practice in full pads under sunny conditions Friday at Texas Stadium. LSU will face the ninth-ranked Texas Longhorns in the Classic on New Year’s Day.
Head Coach Nick Saban was happy with his team’s first two practices of the week.
“I’m pleased with our upbeat attitude in both practices here,” Coach Saban said. “The people at Texas Stadium have been very accommodating to us.”
Following LSU’s loss to Arkansas late in the fourth quarter of its last game, Coach Saban has emphasized to his squad the importance of finishing the game.
“We’ve got something to prove,” Coach Saban said. “I don’t think we’ve really established our identity like we have in the past as to what kind of team we have. The thing about the Arkansas game is we didn’t finish the game like we needed to, and that has to do with our competitive character. That’s something psychologically we’ve got to get fixed.”
Sophomore center Ben Wilkerson did not dress for practice due to a sore lower back. He is questionable for Wednesday’s game. Senior defensive end Kenderick Allen practiced with a cast on his hurt right thumb and is expected to play in the Classic.
One player Coach Saban is especially pleased to have back on the field is running back LaBrandon Toefield.
“He made some tough runs in the Arkansas game when we were trying to grind it out, and that gave him confidence,” Coach Saban said about the junior from Independence, La. “He’s playing like himself and isn’t worried about the injury.”
Following practice, the Tigers brought some joy to children hospitalized at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas. Tonight LSU will dine at Dallas’ famous Lawry’s Beef Bowl. Tomorrow LSU is scheduled to practice at Texas Stadium from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. LSU’s offense will conduct a news conference at the Omni Mandalay Hotel in Las Colinas starting at 1 p.m.
Kickoff for the 67th SBC Cotton Bowl Classic is slated for 10:10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1. The game will be nationally televised by FOX Sports.