November 25, 2003
The Oxford Experience...Or The Oxford Ordeal?
Here's an interesting story that centers around a first hand account of a member of LSU's student media who happened to have the misfortune of being able to make it to Oxford in the early afternoon Friday, to meet up with some friends from Ole Miss, and to be wearing a purple colored fleece jacket...
LSU Athletic Director Stanley "Skip" Bertman has made a mountain out of a molehill in regards to opposing team's fans and their complaints relative to LSU fans treatment of them while in Baton Rouge. He's gone as far as embarassing the University by bringing up situations which were later proven to be non-existent on national television when a microphone has been thrust into his face...
I would hope that Skip makes sure to inquire as to what was going on in Oxford during the early evening hours on Friday night...and I would hope that our Athletic Director wises up and realizes that when it comes to fan behavior, Tiger fans who cheer for LSU don't have a monopoly on outright reprehensible behavior!
I would also hope that the University of Mississippi's local police force be investigated.Tossing out racial epithets and meting out brutality while hiding behind the badge of those who pledge to protect and serve is a morally disgusting thought.
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Chris Lawrence says:
posted on November 25, 2003 01:58 AM — linkI heard there was a minor fracas on Friday night in the square, but I think it has more to do with the fact Oxford was just full of people. You get 100,000 people in a city that normally has 10,000, there's gonna be some antisocial behavior, particularly when you get a few drunk people involved. As he himself writes, some LSU and Ole Miss "fans"--who really sound more like hooligans--instigated this mess.
When I was out on the square on Saturday night, everyone I ran into--LSU and Ole Miss fans alike--was well-behaved, as was everyone I saw in the Grove during the day. There were a few fights in the student section during the game, but, as usual, those seemed to be between (drunk) Ole Miss students.
That all being said, if Wideman's account is correct, that OPD (not UPD, as you incorrectly mention) officer should be disciplined.
BTW, sorry we disappointed you by not laying down for the Tigers as you predicted. ;-)
From Signifying Nothing
pinged on Nov 25, 2003 2:20 AMLSU über-fan TigerEducated notes an LSU Reveille column by Bryan Wideman that focuses on Friday night’s near-brawl between drunk LSU and Ole Miss supporters near...
TigerEducated says:
posted on November 25, 2003 02:33 AM — linkChris...are you SERIOUSLY thinking that I'm disappointed with a W? Eli summed up his entire clan's impact on the sport of football on that abortion of a 4th down play...
Russell Crowe's decision to lead the "Hotty Toddy" cheer via tape will go down in infamy as his second worst professional decision ever (The first being listening to his agent and accepting the lead role in Master and Commander).
Your vaunted offense that averaged 460 going in was limited to less than half of that number in giving up 227 total. Your offense was touted as being shinier than the rims of Ronald McClendon's brand new SUV...You rushed for -2 yards total going into the 4th quarter...
Your lone touchdown drive was a result of..
Penalty on 3rd down...1st down conversion...
Two lollipop Hail Mary's that through the Grace of God and the delight of CBS advertisers, brought the Rebs downfield and made the game somewhat close...
Bottom line...Your offense is pedestrian, and I believe that the Texas Tech game skewed your defensive passing statistics somewhat.
Saban mentioned at the press conference today that they went in and changed spikes before kickoff due to all the slipping and sliding on that turf in warmups.
Both INT's that Mauck threw were not his fault. One was where Reed "Flag-blocked" (read: Half-Assed) on a cut block that the defensive end easily eluded and just grabbed an easy pick.
It's not Mauck's responsibility to check to make sure the cut block is made. The throw is made as the man falls in the scheme, but the man didn't fall because of poor offensive line execution.
The third interception was also a result of dumb luck. Devery Henderson came out of a cut and slipped instead of moving back to the ball-as the route that was called indicated. Mauck can't control his wideouts traction.
So, your turf slipped us up, Mauck gave you 7 points, and penalties and the Grace of God gave you 7 more...
I'm sorry that celebratory binge drinking episode you talked of having turned into you singing the Hank Williams and Hank Williams, Jr. classic, There's a Tear In My Beer...
;-)
Chris Lawrence says:
posted on November 25, 2003 03:04 AM — linkAre those excuses I'm hearing for Matt Mauck's abysmal performance against the second-worst pass defense in the country? What about all those sacks and intentional groundings? I thought y'all were going to run and pass all over us, after all. Your only score in the second half was a "Hail Mary," by your own definition. Ole Miss's "pedestrian" offense shouldn't have even been in the game with LSU with two minutes remaining.
Good thing you guys have virtually no chance of playing Oklahoma for the national title, because you'd totally embarrass yourselves and the SEC in the process. Much better that you face those charlatans from Tallahassee who'll be lucky if they can beat the Gators next Saturday.
TigerEducated says:
posted on November 25, 2003 03:54 AM — linkYou sir, Mr. Lawrence, are a prevaricator!
I am not making excuses, I am stating facts. Our own coach stated that we changed spikes. Is this fact or fiction? Do you deny they did this?
If they changed spikes, would they do so because they just got the new shipment of Nike's in? Would they do so because Ole Miss players gave them all "shoe wedgies" before we kicked off during warmups?
No, we changed spikes-as Saban himself indicated-because we had problems staying upright and cutting. That was our first game on a non-natural grass surface this year, and it showed. I was quoting Saban himself.
Matt Mauck played nervously, tentatively, and poorly. Not his worst performance of his career, and perhaps not even his worst performance of the season, in retrospect. I am saying that it's easy to surmise from two replays that Rodney Reed "Flag blocked" your defensive end and gave up on the execution on a crucial aspect of the play's thrust. If you don't cut the defensive end, he can easily intercept the pass. He wasn't cut, and he did intercept it.
Is this an excuse, or an explanation. Looks more like an explanation to me.
Matt Mauck hasn't learned the concept of "stepping up" in the pocket in his time at LSU, and that's a result of him being a run-first QB in HS, and his first two years at LSU. He only developed into a pocket passer after his injury last year, and during the offseason and during his rehab. He has still not unlearned not to "trust his feet" to get him out of trouble on a edge pass rush.
He looked silly and cost LSU serious yardage on several occassions on Saturday. I admit.
Our "hail mary" was a designed play. Eli's "hail mary" were heaves into the air that both DB's and WR's had chances for, and we just didn't make the plays. They were total chance.
Matt Mauck's 50+ yard touchdown bomb was a direct result of excellent execution and poor execution by your passing defense. We had a man open, we fired it in there with a pinpoint pass and had a touchdown result. No chance breakaway, just a team that got outrecruited, outcoached, and then had their players get outplayed witness what happens when better recruits get outcoached, then have their players get outplayed.
The passes we're referring to are apples and oranges, and your Blue and Gray Oakley's won't let you see that for the simple truth. Our team executed a great play that you couldn't defend.
You guys lucked out and threw up two heaves in the face of a fierce pass rush, and on two occassions, had those heaves get lucky. Do you care to disagree? Was it designed for Eli to get hit with Mack truck-like force by a free blitzing defender as he tosses heavenward a high arcing pass that lands magically in the hands of an Ole Miss receiver? I'm sure that you guys draw up plays like that every week in order to prove Eli's toughness and the outstanding value of your training staff and its ability to use smelling salts.
Bottom line...
LSU Tigers-1
OM "Runts"-0I suggest you go take in the recent film that stars former pop star Mandy Moore...It's entitled...
How To Deal...
dave says:
posted on November 25, 2003 03:22 PM — link"Are those excuses I'm hearing for Matt Mauck's abysmal performance against the second-worst pass defense in the country? "
You've hit the nail on the head. It was an abysmal performance. Which only goes to show that even on a bad day we're a better team than Ole Miss. You should be glad we weren't having a good one, or it would've been a blowout.
And no, Ole Miss didn't "lay down" for us. They fell on their ass instead. Literally. LOL.
Mike says:
posted on November 25, 2003 04:56 PM — linkNow you've done it. Just don't insult Saban's wife.
Justin Brady says:
posted on November 26, 2003 08:14 PM — linkShrug, I can't believe you guys let TigerEducated write for this website. He CANNOT be unbiased. When I read this article, he made it sound like it was ALL Ole Miss fans fault everything happened and how Skip should be looking into the matter and blah blah blah. I read the article he was referring to and it states CLEARLY that LSU fans were just as much at fault in the situations that occured. AND THEN in the comments, he starts making excuses for LSU bad plays? Is there no end to this guy?
TigerEducated says:
posted on November 26, 2003 09:14 PM — linkJustin, should we call an whaaaambulance for you?
You telling me that what that cop did to him was actually right? Calling someone "coonass" and telling him that, "They're only arresting coonasses tonight,"?
Justin, do yourself a favor, and start e-mailing Trev Alberts if you're mad about something that has to do with Ole Miss.
Unless you want to object to the guy's journalistic integrity-which I'm sure he'll be interested to hear about-I'd suggest you tell me how what that police officer said isn't racist or demeaning to anyone in the manner, context and connotations with which it is used?
You may not like it, but it's a simple fact: Law enforcement acted inappropriately. I spoke with Associate Athletic Director Herb Vincent at LSU yesterday via e-mail, and he actually assured me that Skip was actively looking into what had happened on Friday night.
Obviously, the LSU AD feels that this situation holds water just as much as I do.
I also find it interesting that the Oxford Eagle took down that story after it was linked here via Chris Lawrence, and later on, via yours truly on the LSU message board I frequent. No other archived editions or stories have been taken down other than that story...
So you go ahead and talk all you want...It happened, we won, and you obviously don't listen to what Nick Saban has to say...
Whether you win or lose, on Saturday, dwell on it for 24 hours, then go on about your business and continue to prepare. You have to worry about Mississippi State, who might (but probably won't) put up a fight in King Jackie the Jester's last Egg Bowl!
17-14...That makes Three of the last four, too, Justin...
Life's a bitch, ain't it?
Oh well, we have a cochon de lait waiting on us in Tiger Stadium on Friday...
For all of you who haven't spent any time with those of Cajun descent (what that Mississippi "Lawhmun" referred to that writer as a Coonass) or down in Louisiana...
couchon de lait is a hog roast!
Justin Brady says:
posted on November 26, 2003 09:55 PM — linkI never said anything about the police. I was talking about the fans. I'm not defending the policeman, but I wouldn't want to be in his shoes for any amount of money, would you? And I don't know if you've ever been to Oxford, but they are full of stuckup, daddy's girls, and preppy rich boys. The cop was probably only there because it was the only job he could get hired for with little or no education.
And as for listening to Nick Saban, First, why would I listen to him anyway, second, I never said anything about the game itself in my comments, and third, your comments I were referring to came 56 hours (give or take an hour) after the end of the game. What was that about 24 hours again??? I don't believe I see an article previewing the LSU-Arkansas game. Wonder where that one is?
TigerEducated says:
posted on November 26, 2003 11:17 PM — linkI am not referring to the fans involved in that situation, either. My rancor is directed at the law enforcement officials, and the probable lack of action on the part of our Athletic Director regarding this situation, after leading a very public and ridiculous "mountain out of a molehill" charge at LSU to clear up poor fan behavior.
It's obvious anything that's happened at LSU can't hold a candle to that situation that I'm speaking of. I'm almost positive that I've never seen published reports of racism and things of that nature out of our gathered law enforcement.
As for me, I didn't do anything but re-hash the contents of the article, and I didn't write either of the articles that have been linked here about it. They were independent observers and recounts of a verified situation. If you don't care for the light to get turned on regarding the situation, I apologize. It's never happened anywhere else LSU fans have been, and I think it's quite interesting to see your panties get into a twist about it.
I suggest you re-read my little missive about the situation, and then point out where I said anything about the students or fans of Ole Miss. The only thing I commented on was that LSU fans don't have a monopoly on poor behavior.
In other words, these Mississippi lawmen don't seem to be behaving too well at all.
So, please, tell me how you talking about the fans is germane to anything I've said? I haven't mentioned them, so you mentioning me and my attitude about is a little illogical. I'm sorry.
As for listening to Nick Saban, and the reason you should listen to him?
Well, we're 10-1, ranked #3, and in contention for a national title...You're 8-3, ranked #19, and in contention for an Egg Bowl Title...
You lost to Memphis, Texas Tech, and LSU...We lost to Florida...
Seems like listening to Russell Crowe lead "Hotty Toddy" on video before games at Vaught-Hemingway isn't getting you any closer to the promised land...So why not give St. Nick a shot?
Justin, I'm sorry you're so unhappy that your law enforcement seem to have racist attitudes in Mississippi. I'm sorry you can't stand the people that populate the town of the veru University you are a fan of. I'm sorry you don't like that the operators of this site gave me an opportunity to write for them.
I truly don't know what to do to make you happy, other than perhaps writing a letter on your behalf to your therapist and perhaps persuading him to increase your Paxil/Prozac/Zoloft dosages...Lithium could also be an answer.
Finally, as for you wondering where my preview for the game for "The Boot" is...
My history here dictates that I write preview stories for LSU's games on Thursday's of game weeks. I'm sorry that I haven't put it out yet, but I planned on giving everyone here tomorrow that was tired of mediocre T-Day football and annoying relatives the opportunity to read a new article sometime tomorrow, since I'm staying in town for the Holidays...
I'm sorry that I didn't run my writing schedule by you before I began writing here. Perhaps if you paid more attention, or even stopped long enough to think past your blind hatred of anything associated with LSU, you'd know that...
In the future, I'll try harder. As it is, thank you for your comments, and I'm sure the management will see them and pass them along through the proper channels...
Till then...
17-14, 3 out of the last four, and Eli finishes 1-2 against LSU...Just keep thinking about that and stewing...Life's a bitch, ain't it?
Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving!;-)
Justin Brady says:
posted on December 1, 2003 10:04 PM — linksheesh, Tiger just drilled a hole. I don't have any response for those comments. Thanks for proving my point. Ohh, and Happy Thanksgiving right back at ya! :)
TigerEducated says:
posted on December 1, 2003 10:12 PM — linkI have an ex-girlfriend of mine who is French in background and "Cajun" if you trace her back far enough from a lineage standpoint.
I can assure you that her family would be deeply offended if I have ever referred to them that way, and I know becase her father & I actually had a conversation along those lines with him as well...
