NEW ORLEANS ? The LSU offense took its turn with the media on Saturday as the fourth-ranked Tigers again had a busy day both on and off the field here as they continue to prepare for Wednesday’s Sugar Bowl contest against 11th-ranked Notre Dame.
LSU and the Irish, both 10-2 overall, will meet in the Allstate Sugar Bowl at 7:25 on Jan. 3 at the Louisiana Superdome. The game will be broadcast to a national audience by Fox with Kenny Albert, Howie Long and Terry Bradshaw calling the action.
“It was another good work day,” LSU coach Les Miles said after the Tigers concluded their two-hour workout in the Superdome. “We are right on schedule. I liked the tempo of today’s practice. I thought we got a lot done. Tomorrow’s practice will be an extended Thursday-type practice and then we’ll start to scale back as we head to Monday.”
LSU’s workout on Sunday will be held at the Saints Practice Facility in Metairie due to New Orleans hosting Carolina at the Superdome in its final regular season contest. LSU will return to the Superdome for Monday’s practice.
After practice on Saturday, LSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher along with quarterback JaMarcus Russell, wide receivers Craig Davis and Dwayne Bowe, running back Jacob Hester and center Brett Helms meet with members of the media to discus next week’s game with the Irish.
“We’re very excited to be back in the Sugar Bowl,” Fisher told members of the media at the press conference. “It’s my third trip back and I appreciate it even more. Sometimes you take it for granted to get back, but it was a heck of an accomplishment by this football team.
“Our practices have been very good. Our kids have been concentrating very well. We have enjoyed New Orleans. We have played when its time to play and worked when its time to work. We are excited to play a very good Notre Dame football team and it should be a heck of a game.”
Fisher also served as LSU’s offensive coordinator in a 47-34 win over Illinois in the 2002 Sugar Bowl contest and in the Tigers’ 21-14 victory over Oklahoma in the 2004 game that clinched the BCS National Championship for the school.
Fisher also used a portion of his press conference to refute what many members have referred to as a slow and overmatched Notre Dame defense.
“I have never heard of a slow small team getting to the Sugar Bowl,” Fisher said. “When you win 10 games against the schedule they play and lose two games to two outstanding football teams I think they are a heck of a defense. I think people have that wrong. The two games they lost when you watch it on film the other team’s defense held the Notre Dame offense back a lot and in turn put their defense with their backs against the wall.
“Michigan, I know the first touchdown they had of the game was an interception return. There defense has taken a little bit of a hit at times because of the points allowed but part of that reason has been the other team’s defense has played well against them. I think they have an outstanding defense.”
In addition to complimenting the Notre Dame defense, Fisher also had words of praise for Tiger quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who despite a 24-4 mark as LSU’s starting quarterback, will be making his first bowl start against the Irish.
“It’s been maturity,” Fisher said of Russell’s success on the field over the past two years. “Any quarterback’s consistency and success hinges on the guys around him because as a quarterback you have to stay consistent if guys around you are making mistakes. He made plenty of mistakes in the past. But with another year together and all his receivers back this year, you learn each other and with that cohesiveness in turn your consistency goes up and their consistency goes up. He has done a much better job of preparing this year and that comes with maturity.
Russell was quick to credit Fisher with his developing into one of the nation’s top quarterbacks.
“He’s taught me a lot,” Russell said of Fisher. “One thing we’ve been through is adversity. Through ups and downs, good things, bad things, no matter the situation (he’s taught me to) just never give up. We had a few games where we had to come from behind and win, and I stick to that quote to never give up.
Mainly he’s just taught me how to be a quarterback. Anyone can throw the ball, but that doesn’t mean anything if you’re not a good quarterback.”
The Sunday schedule has the Tigers with a 10 a.m. workout in Metairie at the Saints Practice Facility followed by a visit to the Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. The Tigers will then spend New Year’s Eve as a team on the Creole Queen Riverboat on the Mississippi River.
LSU Offensive Coordinator Jimbo Fisher
On the game and New Orleans
“We’re very excited to be back in the Sugar Bowl. It’s my third trip back and I appreciate it even more. Sometimes you take it for granted to get back, but it was a heck of an accomplishment by this football team.
“Our practices have been very good. Our kids have been concentrating very well. We have enjoyed New Orleans. We have played when its time to play and worked when its time to work. Excited to play a very good Notre Dame football team and it should be a heck of a game.”
On the progress of Jamarcus Russell this year
“It’s been maturity. Any quarterbacks consistency and success hinges on the guys around him cause as a quarterback its had to stay consistent if guys around you are making mistakes. He made plenty of mistakes in the past. But with another year together and all his receivers back this year you learn each other and with that cohesiveness in turn your consistency goes up and their consistency goes up. He has done a much better job of preparing this year and that comes with maturity.
On being link to other coaching jobs
“Any time you have a successful program there are going to be job opportunities for assistant coaches, head coaches, etc. To me that’s the sign that LSU is doing the right thing. We’re winning, we’re being successful and people want to know why they are winning and being successful at LSU.
“For my situation I told everyone if there is an opportunity for me talk to me after the bowl game. I have not had any contact with any of the schools. We’ll evaluate all that when this bowl game is over and make a decision. I am very happy at LSU. I love LSU. It’s a very good job and I have been very comfortable here for seven years.”
“I have had a lot of opportunities and I haven’t moved. I want to be a head coach, but I am looking for an opportunity at the right kind of school where I think they can win. To quote Bear Bryant ? ?Make sure the school has more going for it than your hard work'”
“I can be selective because of the job I have is a great job I don’t want to take the wrong job and in three or four years be begging for the one I have back. That happens a lot.”
On Notre Dame’s defense being labeled slow and small
“I have never heard of a slow small team getting to the Sugar Bowl. When you win 10 games against the schedule they play and two games to two outstanding football teams I think they are a heck of a defense. I think people use that wrong. The two games they lost when you watch it on film the other team’s defense held the Notre Dame offense back a lot and in turn put their defense with their backs against the wall. Michigan I know the first touchdown they had of the game was an interception return.
“There defense has taken a little bit of a hit at times because of the points allowed but part of that reason has been the other team’s defense has played well against them. Think they have an outstanding defense.
On his relationship with ND defensive coordinator Rick Minter
“Rick was the head coach when I coached at Cincinnati as the offensive coordinator under him. I know what kind of coach Rick is. He is an outstanding coach. He does a great job and he is one of those guys who steps in the office and goes 22 hours a day. He does it. He’s a good tactician. Their players play hard, they mix schemes, they blitz, they play zone, they play man.
“We’ve been apart for so long, since 1999, that we have evolved in different ways. It’ll be interesting to see how he has evolved and how I have evolved, but eventually its up to the players. They are the ones that have to execute.”
On the LSU running game and how the offensive line has done
“There are four times you have to runt he football ? you run it in short yardage, you run it on the goal line, you run it in the red zone and you run it in the last four minutes of the game. Those are the four times you have to run the football. The other times you run it when the numbers are in your favor or that’s what you game plan is for what you do. In those situations we have ran it very well. We have done that in all but two games this year. I think we have done great, especially with the young backs we have had to shuffle through. We had six first time starters this year on offense. I thought they jelled and played well.”
LSU Player Quotes
December 30, 2006
LSU Quarterback JaMarcus Russell
On Notre Dame’s defense and if it compares to another team LSU has played
“They play very well on defense and do a lot of good things. They do what you would expect as far as blitz-wise and coverage-wise. You can’t really compare them until you play them. That’s how you get a good feel for them, when you go up against them, to compare them to another defense. I think they have a very good game plan though.”
On if he thinks Notre Dame will do different things than what he’s seen
“Now that we have more time to prepare, you never know. They may throw in some new things. But it will be a game-time decision if we switch our game plan to handle that.”
On the LSU offense under coordinator Jimbo Fisher
“By him being my coach, we’re together so much. It’s the way he goes over things and is able to break certain things down. He knows a lot about the game. He knows what it takes to beat a team, what it takes to stop himself, he just knows a lot about the game. He’s a coach that will joke around with you, but when it’s time to go to work you know it. He shows pity to nobody.”
On what Fisher has taught him
“He’s taught me a lot. One thing we’ve been through is adversity. Through ups and downs, good things, bad things, no matter the situation (he’s taught me to) just never give up. We had a few games where we had to come from behind and win, and I stick to that quote to never give up. Mainly he’s just taught me how to be a quarterback. Anyone can throw the ball, but that doesn’t mean anything if you’re not a good quarterback.”
On the LSU offense if Fisher were to leave LSU
“He’s a mastermind at what he does, so it depends on who they would bring in. I think he would be missed if that did happen.”
On the differences handling coaching criticism from high school to college
“Coming out of high school you’re not used to coaches getting on you like that. It’s hard when you’re at practice and he’s getting on you and you’re trying to do well but you’re thinking about things he’s saying in the back of your head. He does that just to get to you to see what he can do to you.”
On who were the main contributing factors to his decision to attend LSU
“It was Coach Fisher, Marcus Spears and Michael Clayton. A lot of the players who were here took me under their wing and it kind of went from there. If I needed advice or big brother type things, it was given by those guys.”
LSU Wide Receiver Dwayne Bowe
On claims that Notre Dame’s defense is small
“I won’t say they’re slow. They’re big up front. But welcome to the SEC. We’re much faster. They’re a good group of guys. They’re very sound, very fundamental, we just have to go out there and execute like we do on the practice field.”
On LSU’s advantages over the Notre Dame defense
“We have speed and size (advantages) over them. Their cornerbacks are very little, but they play hard. We just have to go out there and execute.”
On if Notre Dame compares to a team he’s faced
“No, not really. They’re just a good group of guys who play hard all the time. We have to play hard against them for 60 minutes.”
On if he’s hoping for a special memory in this final game
“I don’t really need a certain memory, I just want to win. It can be by 30 or 40, I just want to win. I don’t want any bad memories.”
On if he has any special celebrations in store
“I may give a little something extra, but I can’t tell. You’ll have to watch.”
On last year’s Alabama game and telling quarterback JaMarcus Russell to “find him”
“I remember that like yesterday. When we were on the line I just told him, ?You got to find me.’ He told me to get open. I looked at him, gave him a little nod, and then I just got open.
“For this game I told him that if he needs me I’m there for him. He said, ?I’m going to find you,’ so that’s how it’s going to work.”
On his eyes before and after his laser surgery
“I was legally blind. Without contacts, I couldn’t even make out the structure of the face in front of me. When I first got (the surgery) done it was like a different world. They would throw it to me and I was like ?wow!’”
On how offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher has helped him progress
“He sees what I can do and bases the offense around that, and that’s one thing that’s helped me out this year, knowing I can be a position receiver and a go-to-guy too. He finds out the strengths of each guy and runs (the offense) based on that.”
LSU Running Back Jacob Hester
On Notre Dame’s Defensive schemes
“They do a lot of good things they have a great pass rusher. They have speed in the secondary, (Tom) Zbikowski is one of the fastest players in the country. They (Notre Dame) definitely have some speed. Their line backers move around real good and the defense really well together. They’ll do a lot of things that confuse us. It’ll be a tough job for us.”
On LSU’s offensive mentality
“We feel that were one of the best (offenses) in the country for sure, but we definitely need to be on our ?A’ game especially in a Bowl (game) like this. If Notre Dame’s defensive will comes out clicking it will be a long day for us So we probably have to get an early start. to be successful in the game.”
Comparison of Notre Dame’s defensive speed
“Their safeties have some really good speed. We were watching film of their special teams, Zbikowski ran one back for a touchdown it seems that nobody on the field was even close to the same speed as him so they definitely have speed in their secondary although everyone’s playing it down like they don’t
Notre Dame’s size on the defensive line
“They not as big up front but they have some speed guys and get to the ball pretty quick. You see a hole you better hit it quick because it’s not going to be there for a long time. That’s there game; they try to play quick.”
On getting ahead in the game early against Notre Dame
“I think that it be good for us if we get an early lead. The crowd would hopefully be in it and that would help us. That would definitely be a key to the success of the game especially being in the Superdome.”
Comparison of Brady Quinn and JaMarcus Russell
“They both have great arms but in my opinion, JaMarcus has the best arm in the country. I played with a pretty good high school quarterback in John David Booty and he has a good arm but JaMarcus’ (arm) is pretty incredible. But they both have great arms, are smart players and have been in their systems a long time. There is a little size difference, as far as knowing the game, there both on the same level.
The importance of the game being in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina
“It’s big to us and to the city of New Orleans to come in here and get a win. Were really glad that were back here because it’s pretty much a home game. It also important that we get off to a good start.”
LSU Center Brett Helms
The progression of the Offensive Line going into this game
“We feel good we’ve come along ways since the start if the season. As a whole, we think we understand what Notre Dame’s plan is upfront (on defense). We got it and were pretty prepared for this game.”
On finally playing back in the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina
“Some of the guys (on the team) were wanting to play in California. But I’m glad were here. I’m glad that it’s the first game back (in the SuperDome) after Katrina.”
Comparison of Brady Quinn and JaMarcus Russell
“This game contains two great offenses with both guys being great quarterbacks makes it so much better. Both of them make great plays. I think that (the game )is going to be a battle of offenses.”
On anything that stands out on Notre Dame’s Defense
“They have a couple of guys on their defensive line that remind me of Kyle Williams the way that they play. They great motors, they never stop and they always keep running. They have pretty good speed upfront and there pretty quick off of the ball and always play to the whistle and definitely won’t take plays off. So were gonna have to bring our best game for all (four) quarters.”
Opinions that Notre Dame lacks certain skills
“I don’t pay much attention to (opinions) that’s totally overated. There great football players, they wouldn’t have scholarships if they didn’t. I think that there two good teams playing and it’s going to be a battle.”
LSU wide receiver Craig Davis
On Notre Dame’s defense and which defense has played them physically
“We see a strong, well coached football team. They do a lot of the right stuff at the right time.”
“I would say the Florida defense played us pretty well. They forced turnovers, which were critical points in the game.”
On how much confidence the LSU offense has
“We have a lot of confidence. We’re on a roll right now and just trying to stay focused on the game. They’re a great defense but we’re just going to play within the scheme and take what they give us.”
On how he personally feels about this game
“It feels very great for me personally coming back. I finished my high school career here, playing in the state championship. I finished my national championship season playing here my freshman year and I’m going to finish my college career here in the Sugar Bowl.”
On what he thinks this game can accomplish for the city of New Orleans
“It means a lot. It will bring tourists back to the city. The last Mardi Gras wasn’t as normal as it usually is. We can get back in 2007 starting with the Sugar Bowl and having Mardi Gras back in February.”
On Jimbo Fisher‘s capabilities as a head coach
“I think he would be a great head coach. He’s real smart and knows how to handle the pressure. He keeps the offense moving forward and under control.”
On what stopped LSU’s offense in the two losses this season
“Turnovers. They killed us while we were having big time drives. Unfortunately a fumble, interception there can just kill the drive.”
On Notre Dame’s conceived lack of team speed
“Well obviously if you win ten games then you have to have some sort of team speed and some sort of control. People have been saying that they don’t have a lot of speed and comparing them to us. We have a lot of speed on offense and defense and maybe we are a little faster, but they are a very fundamentally sound defense.”
NOTRE DAME ASSISTANT COACHES
Notre Dame Asst. Head Coach/Defense ? Bill Lewis
On the challenges of facing JaMarcus Russell at QB:
“Added to his abilities is the ability of his collective receiving corps. I think they work extremely well together. Russell does a great job of managing the game and executing what the want and then he’s got some very talented people that he can go to in the passing game.”
On Coach Weis’ contributions as a coach to the defense:
“On a weekly basis we progress through the game plan. We take different phases on each day as we approach a game situation. There’s always direct communication with Coach Weis on a daily basis.”
“What we’re doing from an installation standpoint is get his thoughts, his contributions, and so forth so he always understands where we are in the preparation of the game plan and has the ability to contribute as we go through the week.”
On the matchup between his defensive backs and LSU’s wide receivers.
“It will definitely be a challenge because when you look at their passing game, you don’t zero in on the individual, I think it’s a collective group starting with the quarterback, a guy with a 68.5 completion percentage, which is among the nation’s best. Then you see three receivers that have collected over 50 catches apiece, and then they collectively put that fourth guy on the field when they go into four wide receivers. Different players fill that role.”
“When you look at them as a group they’re probably as strong as any group we’ve seen in our two years that we’ve been together. We hope that our secondary is up to it, and they have to be to play the time of game we want to.”
Notre Dame Defensive Coordinator ? Rick Minter
On the challenges of facing JaMarcus Russell at QB:
“We have to line (defensive lineman) Victor (Abiamiri) up at quarterback on the look team to get a replica look at Russell. We’ve faced good quarterbacks before over our two years at Notre Dame, Bill and I, and this is a formidable challenge. He’s a big young man, he’s very well coached, athletically gifted to do the things that Coach Fisher and Coach Miles ask of him and we look forward to the challenge of facing such a good quarterback. “
On Coach Weis’ contributions as a coach to the defense:
“Coach Weis brings a tremendous amount of knowledge of the game of football. He’s not restricted to the offense, he’s been doing this for a long time and he has vast experiences to draw upon and we share knowledge together.”
“Bill and I package together to form our defensive packages with him. You could say we all work together on the coaching because everything in our program starts from the top down. We all know our place and in our roles we all have responsibilities. I coach linebackers and coordinate the defense. Bill (Lewis) works with me very, very closely in that regard.”
On the most memorable performance of his defense this year:
“We like to go out and play hard every game. Games don’t always turn out the way you want. I thought our comeback against Michigan State was one for the ages, which we played a large role in. In fact, the last three times that we were on the field we got takeaways that helped put the team into a position to win in a tremendous, dramatic comeback that’s in a very stored rivalry game between ourselves and Michigan State.”
On comparing his defensive line to LSU’s:
“Every great defensive ball club will say that everything starts up front. You have to win the game in the trenches; you have to control the line of scrimmage. That means you can dominate the running game, put pressure on the quarterback, and contain the quarterback. I think our front four are very, very good solid football players. They’re all older guys that have been around a while.”
NOTRE DAME DEFENSIVE PLAYERS
Notre Dame Defensive End ? Victor Abiamiri
On his impression of LSU’s offense
“They’re a very talented offense. Obviously it starts with their quarterback JaMarcus Russell all the way down to the skill players, receivers and a big offensive line. They have a lot of guys who can make plays on either side of the ball and that’s similar to some of the other good teams we’ve played.”
“He’s good at being able to stay in the pocket. He looks to throw first and scramble second. He’s able to look pressure and take heat in the face and still be able to complete passes down field is a good skill that he has. We have to go out there and play our best game against him.”
On the size of JaMarcus Russell
“He’s a big guy. He’s hard to get down. If you can’t get him down we have to at least try and disrupt his timing a little bit. From watching film, some guys get there, get around and get some pressure on him, but aren’t quite able to bring him down because of his size. That’s one of his physical attributes that helps him out. You are not going to get a sack every play but we just need to fly around, gang tackle. Good effort with a lot of guys flying to the ball and make plays is what we are trying to focus on doing.”
On LSU’s deep corps of running backs
“That gives them an advantage because they have so many guys who can play the position that any time a different guy is in there they’re going to give 100 percent because they’re fresh. They have a lot of playmakers on offense, so it will be a good opportunity to try to stop them.”
Notre Dame Linebacker Travis Thomas
Commenting on LSU wide receiver Dwayne Bowe
“Bowe is an awesome receiver, he makes some awesome catches in double coverage and sideline catches. He makes big time plays.”
On trying to contain LSU QB JaMarcus Russell
“It most important to not let him break your tackles, that’s the biggest thing that we’ve seen in almost every game. He’s always breaking a possible sack. They’ll be different blitzes coming at him from different directions.”
On differences in the LSU running backs
“Some are better catchers than others, some are better on inside runs than outside runs, so they pretty much can all do the same job but they have certain guys who like to do different things.”
On if LSU reminds him of another team they played this year
“They resemble Michigan State with their size and skill players that they have. Also with their running style they resemble Michigan. They really want to pound it at you if they can.”
On if he thinks he is ready for the challenge of playing LSU
“Absolutely. That’s why you come to a school like Notre Dame, to play in games like this, so definitely.”
On ND’s defense throughout the year
“We have had our ups and downs. At times we played like a top 5 defensive front and at tikes we played like we weren’t very good at all. The main for us is to be consistent and that is something we have tried to do all year. It’s really hard to pinpoint one thing that has kept us from being consistent.”
On the linebackers ability to play pass coverage
“It’s the same for all our linebackers. What we are going to try and do is lock down there receivers, which will be tough to do because they are elite athletes. We’d like to keep Russell in the pocket. They really like #18 (Jacob Hester). He seems to catch a lot of balls in the flat on the wheel routes. He is their favorite receiver. He lines up at fullback and tailback and they use him a lot because he has pretty good hands.”
On winning a bowl game
“It’s not only big for the seniors, its big for the program as a whole and the fans. It’s big for the freshmen coming in to get their careers off on the right foot. It would really make the offseason a lot easier when you end the season on a positive note.”
Notre Dame Linebacker Maurice Crum Jr.
On what jumps out at JaMarcus Russell on tape
“Just his size. Real big, physical guy that can shrug off a lot tacklers and still complete passes so to get to him you just have to bring it. I have not played a guy like that personally, but Coach Minter did mention it would be like having Victor (Abiamiri) back there at quarterback. Its always important to try and get pressure on the quarterback. They have a good offensive line with playmakers all over the field.”
On the expected atmosphere for the game
“I expect it to be real loud. I felt the atmosphere around the Superdome just at practice even with nobody in there. I just closed my eyes and imagined the stadium filled with people. It will be amazing”
Notre Dame Strong Safety Tom Zbikowski
On any stories that give insight on Coach Weis’ personality:
“There’s obvious sarcasm that goes with him, but he actually cares about his players and their futures. Every coach has an agenda when speaking with recruits and players but coach is all about trying to help you out and become successful.”
How Coach Weis “sold” the program to you.
“He explained to us how it was when Notre Dame was winning under Coach Ara Parseghan. We were coming off a .500 season and a 5-7 season before that. So when coach came in, he was telling us about the Patriots and what they were doing to win so much. They were bringing attitude to the field, getting nasty, going on the field and expecting to win.”
On the challenge of playing a quarterback the size of LSU’s JaMarcus Russell
“When we saw him a couple times on film, he looks like he’s wrapped up and ready to get sacked. He can throw 35 yards down the field on a line which makes it challenging but obviously we have to stick with the receivers and follow the ball the best that you can.”
“His size at quarterback is definitely not the norm. He is a big physical guy who can throw the ball and move to so he is not just a big slug. They rush the ball as well as they throw it if you look at the stats. It’s a pretty simple philosophy we have and that’s tackle the guy the ball. In general there offense line does a good job. They don’t give up a lot of sacks. You look at JaMarcus when it seems he is wrapped up for a sack he throws it off his back foot for 30-something yards and then you got talented receivers. So when you have that type of combination it’s a challenge.”
Is this the best group of receivers that you’ve played against
“We played against some pretty good receivers, some pretty good players overall. USC’s and Michigan’s receivers are very strong and athletic.”
On having a more time to prepare for LSU in a bowl game
“Its definitely an advantage playing them in a bowl game because you can study the type of schemes they use, the type of running game they use, the type of pass routes they use. In three days it would be tough to get ready for a game like this, but we’ve played against some pretty good offenses.”
On bowl losing streak being extra motivation for Notre Dame
“No not really because we pretty much heard every day last year leading up to playing Ohio State. We’re done talking about that. We didn’t lose all those bowls. I mean I lost two of them so I guess I have been adding to it.”
On special teams being a factor, especially in the Superdome as a returner
“I tried to take some returns off the jugs to get used to the lighting because I haven’t really played where you look up right into the lights. Just getting a feel for it was a little challenging at first but you get used to it once you get use to your surroundings.”