CROWD CONTROL
LSU fans spoil chance
to shine in spotlight
Louisiana State fans have spent decades building a well-earned reputation as arguably the most rabid in the country. Survey college coaches and the vast majority who have visited LSU would say playing a night game at Tiger Stadium is the most intimidating setting in the nation.
LSU fans have set the national standard for tailgating and hospitality. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, they had a chance to solidify their image.
Instead, they soiled it.
It began when LSU shifted its Sept. 10 home game to Arizona State after Baton Rouge became deluged with Katrina evacuees. LSU fans, misinformed that Arizona State forced LSU’s hand, ripped into Arizona State in a deluge of e-mails.
After the game, the Baton Rouge Advocate received 14 e-mails annihilating LSU’s defense, some calling for the firing of first-year head coach Les Miles and defensive coordinator Bo Pelini.
LSU won, 35-31, with a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback.
The clincher came Monday night when 91,986 fans packed Tiger Stadium in a gathering of beaten but hearty souls, seeking a needed distraction after a month of nightmares. As the country sang their praises and applauded their resistance, groups of Tiger fans threw beer bottles at the visiting Tennessee buses and pounded on windows, cracking three.
LSU athletic director Skip Bertman wrote a sincere apology to Tennessee AD Mike Hamilton. Unfortunately, the LSU fans didn’t sign it.
– John Henderson
