BATON ROUGE — To the winner goes steaks and the loser gets beans and franks. That’s what will be on the line on Saturday when the Purple takes on the White in the inaugural Super Tiger Bowl, which will be held in Tiger Stadium.
Kickoff for LSU’s annual Spring Game is scheduled for noon. The contest will be broadcast in the Baton Rouge area on 100.7 and on the Internet in the Geaux Zone on LSUsports.net. The pregame show hits the air at 11 a.m.
The game will feature four 15-minute quarters with running time being an option for the third and fourth quarters. Defenders will have to “tag off” of the quarterbacks, who will wear green jerseys. All other players will be “live”. Also, on special teams situations, defenders will “tag off” on the kick returner.
“There is a lot of enthusiasm and excitement for the spring game by the players,” LSU coach Les Miles said. “Anytime you split up the team and have the players competing for a victory, they get excited. This game is not only about victory, but it’s also about playing for steaks or having to settle for hot dogs. The players are fired up and I’m looking forward to seeing them compete on Saturday.”
Saturday’s spring game marks the first time in Miles’ head coaching history that he’s divided the team and held a game to end spring practice. In the past, Miles has always concluded spring drills with a controlled scrimmage.
“I gave into the pressure from the assistant coaches and the players,” Miles said when asked why the change to a spring game this year. “That’s the only reason. It was the idea that the guys will enjoy a game where they get to play to win. So much is left out of a controlled scrimmage where spontaneity of actual live play is ruined. We are going to see how it goes. There will be pieces that are not live. In the return game, there will probably be one hand touch on the returner. The quarterbacks will be in green jerseys.”
“We’ll let it rip and see what it looks like. Saturday at noon we will tee it up and see what we have.”
Even though Miles is giving up one of his 15 spring practice days to hold a spring game on Saturday, he’s still pleased with what the Tigers have accomplished in their 14 practices this spring.
“I think we got a lot accomplished in all three phases,” Miles said. “I think we are much improved. Is it where we want to be? No. Are we ready to play a game? No. Is it hard for me to divide my offense, divide my defense and divide my special teams and get a half a look at everything as I spread it thin? Yes, it is hard for me to do that.
“The thing I think it gives you is a look at those guys that look forward to games and step up and play big in games. Hopefully, that is what we will see on Saturday.”