BATON ROUGE — LSU’s annual football spring game has been scheduled for Saturday, April 5 in Tiger Stadium and tickets for the event are available now on LSUsports.net. Kickoff for the LSU spring game is set for 5 p.m.
LSU will offer several different ways for fans to gain free admission to the spring game. Fans have the option of printing a redeemable coupon off the Internet at www.LSUsports.net courtesy of the Baton Rouge Advocate. The coupon will then have to redeemed at the LSU ticket office for a free ticket to the spring game. In order to be free, this coupon must be redeemed prior to game day.
Another option is paying a $1 processing fee to be able to print your spring game ticket from home. By signing up for this option on LSUsports.net, fans will have their spring game ticket emailed to them, which they can then print at home.
Free admission can also be obtained by presenting a baseball ticket from the LSU-Alabama contest, which will be held earlier that day at Alex Box Stadium.
LSU students will be admitted free of charge by having their ID card scanned at the gate.
Those fans who choose not to take advantage of the free ticket also have the option of paying $5 prior to the day of the game for a ticket or paying $10 on game day for admission.
All tickets to the spring game will be general admission with the seating starting on the east and west sidelines.
“We are trying to give our fans as many options as possible to attend the game for free,” LSU Assistant Director for Ticket Operations Brian Broussard said. “With a baseball game against Alabama earlier that day, we are hoping our fans will come out early, watch some baseball at Alex Box, and then head over to Tiger Stadium for a preview of next year’s football team.”
Additional fan attractions on the day of the spring game will be announced as more details become available.
COMMENTS FROM LSU COACH LES MILES AT HIS PRE-SPRING PRESS CONFERENCE
Opening statement…
“When you come off a year where you achieved what we have, it is really an advantage. It is a new team with new leaders and play makers. It is not the same team but the experience was certainly a tremendous one. The attitude has been great. The weight room attendance is good and the work being done there is as good as it has ever been. We just came through a period of coaching sessions which are high intensity work outs that are designed to get speed, discipline and a readiness for practice. They are very difficult and everybody starts in a gray shirt and upon completion of a work out without an issue, you end up with a championship effort shirt. We have done that each of the last three springs. This is by far and away the best performance by the team to these drills. We are in good shape and look forward to the spring.”
“The guys understand what they just achieved. They understand that it is not the same team and they understand the team that we have must continue to develop. I think this team is very hungry to build off of the success that we were just a part of. That experience is something we will certainly take with us.”
On promoting Bradley Dale Peveto and Doug Mallory…
“The new responsibilities on our staff, (former defensive coordinator) Bo Pelini really didn’t have a position to coach. The three coaches that did have a position ? Bradley Dale Peveto, Doug Mallory and Earl Lane are all intact. We have a pretty veteran defense. With our defense, we can do anything we need to do. It is a pro style attack so there was no reason to change it.”
“The responsibilities will be provided pretty evenly. Doug Mallory will call the defense from the press box. Bradley Dale Peveto will do sideline communications. We really look forward to continue the success and improvement from the defense we have had over the last few years.”
On new special teams coach Joe Robinson…
“We have a new coach on staff with Joe Robinson. He is an LSU graduate and a guy who has coached all around here with Louisiana Tech, Southern Miss and Houston. He was the head coach at Catholic High School of Point Coupee. He coached the special teams and defensive ends at Arizona. He has had great success as a recruiter and has been nationally ranked in special teams. We look forward to the things he will bring to the staff.”
On the status of QB Ryan Perrilloux…
“Ryan Perrilloux is suspended indefinitely. He broke team rules. I don’t want to spend a lot of time talking about him. His responsibility is to do everything right to get back on this team. I will focus on the guys who are currently competing for jobs on this team.
On the upcoming spring game…
“We have a spring game coming up. It is going to be a festive environment. We really want to encourage everybody to attend. We have pushed back the start of the game so that the state and surrounding area can come and enjoy it. We are looking forward to it and it will be as close to a game as we can get it.”
On his scheduled visit to see Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal Thursday afternoon…
“We will see Governor Jindal tomorrow. We look forward to that. We understand that we play for the great state of Louisiana. Our guys are going to go by and meet the governor and should be a lot fun for all of us.”
On his recent activities with at LSU athletic events…
“I have had a lot fun recently. I went to a women’s basketball game. They are real quality team that will compete for the conference title. I went to the season opener for baseball and with Skip Bertman‘s coaching, I was able to throw a strike. Several Major League Baseball teams have called because ceremonial pitches are not routinely strikes. Guys seldom throw from the mound and I went to the mound. I threw a strike and what the MLB teams would prefer is for their season to start well so I am fielding many calls from Major League Baseball teams. (Sports Information Director) Michael Bonnette will fill you guys (media) in later.”
On what he will tell the team at the beginning of spring practice…
“The key is to redefine ourselves and that the process stays the same. The hard work and energy that this team has been through that defined a championship team will also define this team. I have to be real honest, we are about building on the success that we just had. There is nobody in our building that will look forward to anything else but a championship.”
On if he could go into more detail about QB Ryan Perrilloux‘s situation…
“Here it is. My discipline is about team discipline, and those things should not be your misery. You should go on to your job and enjoy yourself and relax in bliss over the fact that you don’t know stuff and that you will never know stuff. At some point in time, you will get to know stuff, and then, it’ll be a concrete piece, and your misery should be extended no further. The point that I’m making to you is that you take into account a promise that was made on a mother’s couch. You take into account the responsibilities that you have to your program and your team, and those are the two things. It’s not the media, not the voting media, not the who should be and what should be suspended and how long and what do you think? You guys get no vote. You have no say. You get speculation and whatever you would like to do. The reality of it is it’s a team member that is no longer with the team in the short term, and it’s a very serious issue. It’s not something that I’m going to speculate and encourage conversation. The misery should be done. He’s suspended. Let’s go on.”
On the new look of the team…
“It’s a different team and to pretend that it’s not is a mistake. The good fortune of that team is that there are members on that team who have had great experience, who understand what a run is about, who understand about playing in tight quarters, tight games and looking to make plays in those situations, but it’s going to be a new cast. It’s going to be different coaches, different playmakers, and I promise you some exciting times. I think we are a lot like we were a year ago to be honest with you. A lot of guys have to come through in different positions. If you look back a year ago and look at our punter (Patrick Fisher). He was our first-year starting punter, and he had a great year. Then, you look back, and you go, ?You know, that quarterback (Perrilloux) really just played one game.’ We all hoped he would develop and do a great job, and boy, he did. Then, Hester, who really was a developing fullback, special teams player, receiver out of the back field and sometimes, a ball carrier really had a spectacular year and really showed, not only to his team but to the country, how special he was as a player.
“We’re exactly in the same position. Guys have to step forward every year and make their mark, and it’s their opportunity to play for victory. That’s where we’re at, and I look forward to this team. It’ll be a lot of fun.”
On what he expects in quarterbacks Andrew Hatch and Jarrett Lee…
“The opportunity that they have is that they will divide every rep this spring with a couple of guys who will step in and spell them, but they’ll be the guys that we want to develop and grasp the position and provide opportunities for competition. You look at time, and it’s really only about 15 practices. I really kind of see about eight practices in that they’ll be at a certain level, and as you get to the backend of spring, hopefully both will be playing at a much higher level. I understand what it’s like for a guy who has never taken a snap in a major college game and guys who are really in a position for the first time to start in a program like this without, in my opinion, a lot of time in the wings. If you look at one reason that Matt Flynn was in such a great position is because he traveled this league, played a lot of games in backup positions, and certainly was very comfortable taking the field. Both of these guys having the opportunity to play a lot of football in their first full season will be exciting. It’ll be nice to watch them develop. I think both guys have the kind of competitive demeanor that you have to have at quarterback.”
On if he plans on changing the way they use their quarterback…
“We don’t want to change it much. We like the diversity that we have. We like having a mobile quarterback. We are going to see if we can continue to develop the things that we are doing. The playmakers have changed. You are going to look to get the ball in other guys’ hands.”
On how hard it is for a first-year quarterback to play in the SEC…
“All the quarterback has to do is execute the play that is called. He doesn’t have to feel that he has to make plays that are over his ability. As long as he relaxes and plays within the scheme of the offense we will be fine. The thing that always happens is if you have a great player in a back up position, certainly you would have seen him and he would have played. The new guy that steps in may have great talent and ability but he doesn’t have experience so he has to develop. To compare those guys with the veterans who have come before them and took years to develop is probably not fair. However, what always happens on great teams is that the veterans that play on the offensive line, the perimeter and running back position it a little easier for those quarterbacks to develop because it is a quality football team. The receivers have a way of making a catch on a bad throw and it adds to the confidence and development of that quarterback. It also benefits us if our defense plays extremely well. If the defense plays well, it gives a couple more opportunities to punt a couple of times. You rely on the team to develop. You rely on the veterans first. The young guys that are the starters will come up to the speed that they are capable of.”
On the status of DT Charles Alexander, OL Mark Synder and TE Jordon Corbin…
“Alexander probably won’t start spring with us but he could come in midway. Synder will not continue with us. He has had two major knee injuries and he will not play any further for us. Corbin has gone through coaching sessions and laboring some. We look forward to his development through the spring.”
On the cornerback position…
“There are a lot of competitions at a lot of spots this spring. We are looking to play the best players. Certainly guys like Jai Eugene, Phelon Jones, Chris Hawkins and Ron Brooks will have opportunities in the spring that will allow them to compete. It should be exciting.”
On the defensive line…
“We are pretty strong at the ends and not that bad inside. Ricky Jean-Francois will be bounced in and out based on the availability of the other players.”
On how involved two-sport athletes Chad Jones, Jarred Mitchell, Trindon Holliday and Ricky Jean-Francois will be this spring…
“Chad and Jarred will be playing some in the spring. Their schedules have already been mapped out. The same goes for Ricky Jean-Francois. I don’t think Trindon Holiday will be playing much in the spring with the success he is having and the want we have for him to do as well as he can in track.”
On if it is possible QB Ryan Perrilloux will be reinstated in the spring….
“He could rejoin the team but I don’t know what date that would be. Whether it is in the middle of the spring or after is not the issue. The issue is to make sure that he is doing the right things like going to class and doing well in the classroom.”
On who are the top four cornerbacks…
“I think Jai Eugene, Phelon Jones, Chris Hawkins and Ron Brooks would be the top four. I think there is plenty of talent there. There are guys that have some experience and guys that don’t but have enough talent to play the position. That is going to be something we look forward to watching in the spring and early in the fall.”