BATON ROUGE — In what will be the earliest start time for a football game in modern day football history at LSU, the sixth-ranked Tigers will host Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) power Appalachian State at 10 a.m. on Saturday in Tiger Stadium.
Saturday’s season-opener was originally scheduled to start at 4 p.m. However, due to the threat of Hurricane Gustav and the issues that go along with a potential hurricane hitting the coast of Louisiana, the contest was moved up six hours. As a result, the game has been moved to a 10 a.m. start from Tiger Stadium and will be televised nationally by ESPN Classic.
“I really want to encourage our Tiger fans to come to the game,” LSU director of athletics Joe Alleva told members of the media at a press conference on Friday afternoon. “I know it’s early with the 10 a.m. start, but I want (the fans) to come and support the team. The team needs their support. I encourage our students to come.
“There was discussion of postponing the game. Fortunately with working with the weather service and working with the state officials, we came to this conclusion that I think is the best of both worlds. It provides for our team the opportunity to compete; for our fans to watch LSU football which is part of our culture and so important to everyone; but also, provides for the safety for our citizens and allows the time for evacuation as it comes necessary.”
GameDay Info
LSU vs. Appalachian St.
Saturday, Aug. 30
10 a.m. CDT
GameTime Temp: 85?
Rain: 10% chance
Humidity: 65%
Wind: NNE 5 mph
Forecast
Sunrise: 6:40 a.m.
Kickoff: 10:06 a.m.
Sunset: 7:29 p.m.
Times of Interest
6 a.m.
On-campus traffic restricted to vehicles with parking permits.
7 a.m.
LSU Ticket Office opens
7:55 a.m.
LSU walks down “Victory Hill”
8 a.m.
All gates open at Tiger Stadium
8 a.m.
LSU Gameday presented by CST on the air | Watch Live Pregame Video
8:15 a.m.
Mike the Tiger comes down the hill
8:30 a.m.
LSU band marches down the hill
10:01:30 a.m.
LSU takes the field
10:02:15 a.m.
Appalachian State takes the field
10:06 a.m.
Kickoff: LSU vs. Appalachian State (ESPN Classic and ESPN360.com)
Pre-Game Presentations
TAF 20-plus year member recognition
Halftime
LSU Golden Band from Tigerland performs
LSU Alumni Band performs
Guest Captains
Mitch Andrews
Billy Baggett
Trev Faulk
LSU coach Les Miles echoed Alleva’s remarks.
“We understand the reason for the change in the kickoff time and I can tell you that this team will be ready to play no matter what time the game starts,” Miles said. “We are excited about playing our season opener in Tiger Stadium in front of the greatest fans in college football and we just hope that the time change doesn’t inconvenience our fans to the point where they can’t make it to the game. “
The LSU-Appalachian State contest will mark the first time a pair of defending championships from the top two divisions in college football will meet in the season-opener the following year.
Last season, LSU posted a 12-2 overall mark and beat Ohio State, 38-24 in the BCS Championship Game in New Orleans. Appalachian State, who was 13-2 a year ago, which included a stunning 34-32 win over Michigan to open the season, has won three straight I-AA national titles. The LSU-Appalachian State contest will mark the second game between the teams as the Tigers posted a 24-0 win over the Mountaineers in 2005.
When kickoff does roll around on Saturday morning, the Tigers will put a squad on the field that returns 13 starters from the national championship team. Among the returning starters include four offensive linemen and three defensive linemen.
One of the key losses from last year’s squad was that of Matt Flynn, who has moved on to the NFL. The quarterback position will be occupied potentially by a trio of players, including sophomore Andrew Hatch, redshirt freshman Jarrett Lee and true freshman Jordan Jefferson. Either Hatch or Lee will start for the Tigers. Of the three, only Hatch has taken a collegiate snap.
“I think the veteran offensive line coupled with the veteran receivers and some of the things we’re trying to do will take a little bit of pressure off that (quarterback) position,” Miles said. “It’s an advantage to the quarterbacks when everybody knows what to do.
“I have great confidence in all three quarterbacks and I can tell you that I’m comfortable with any of the three who are on the field for us. We’re going to ask him to do the things that we need from the quarterback spot but not to do anything that they’re not capable of doing.”
The Tigers will also have a first-time starter at running back on Saturday as either Charles Scott, Keiland Williams or Richard Murphy will get the call to replace departed senior Jacob Hester.
Defensively, the Tigers start a front four that could be considered among the best in the nation in defensive ends in Tyson Jackson and Kirston Pittman and tackles Ricky Jean-Francois and Charles Alexander.
The Tiger front four, along with LSU’s linebacker corps, two of which will be making their first career starts, will have to contend with Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards, who accounted for 38 TDs a year ago.
“They spread the field and create space and it’s an issue with a team that throws the ball well, and it’s an issue with a team that can run the football as well as they do,” Miles said. “It just requires that you be disciplined. You have to know your responsibilities and know the call that’s being made and play your responsible technique. I think our guys understand that.
“It’s (Appalachian State’s offense) very similar to an option offense. It’s similar to a spread and throw it offense. They attack the width of the field as well as the vertical seams. It’s a great challenge and I think our guys understand that they must play disciplined in this game.”
Miles said he feels like his team is ready for Saturday’s season-opener, the first of what will be three straight home games for the Tigers.
“I have a strong suspicion that we’ll be ready to play and be very competitive,” Miles said. “I think in every opener that I’ve been around you make mistakes, and I think there will be mistakes made. I don’t think anybody, even the veterans, will play perfect, but I think we’ll play well and I think it will be an exciting game.”
NOTES OF INTEREST FOR FANS ATTENDING LSU FOOTBALL GAME
- The game will kick off at 10:06 a.m. The gates of Tiger Stadium will open at 8 a.m. The LSU Athletic Ticket Office will open at 7 a.m.
- There is no change in traditional pre-game events for Saturday’s game. Tailgating is permitted, motor homes are welcome, and the LSU football team and Tiger Marching Band will come down Victory Hill as usual.
- The game will be televised by ESPN Classic and can be heard on the radio on the LSU Sports Network.
- No football-related activities will be held in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center as the facility is being used as a medical special needs shelter associated with the anticipated impact of Tropical Storm Gustav. The Tiger Athletic Foundation, LSU Sports Properties and L-Club parties that are usually held in the Maravich Center on football game days have been cancelled.
- Fans are advised that occasional traffic delays may occur if emergency vehicles need passage to reach medical facilities on campus in anticipation of the arrival of Hurricane Gustav.
- Due to anticipated high temperatures take extra precautions. Fans are encouraged to wear loose clothing and to properly hydrate themselves to avoid heat exhaustion. Sunscreen of at least 30 SPF is recommended.
- Fans are advised to seek shade if dizziness occurs and should drink plenty of fluids, such as water and isotonic drinks. Excessive alcohol consumption will compound heat problems. Drinks with excessive caffeine should be avoided as they could result in dehydration.
- Non-permitted traffic into LSU parking lots will not be allowed after 6 a.m. (when these permit lots open).
- All game day bus shuttles will begin running at 7 a.m.
- PowerAde samples will not be available outside the south end zone as previously announced due to storm-related issues encountered by the sponsor. The Maravich Center will not be available for use as an escape from the heat for fans to watch the game on video screens as previously announced.
- The Forever LSU Chancellor’s Tailgate in the Journalism Building has been cancelled. The Alumni Band function in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center has been cancelled.