Like many students and faculty, LSU coach Les Miles sat at his desk Monday, preparing his usual Monday routine.
Miles spent time “reconciling” Idaho game film, fielding a scouting report for Auburn and planning the typical hour-long practice in advance of the team’s first road trip to its Southeastern Conference opener.
One emergency text message later, and there was a wrench in the giddy-up.
Forced to evacuate campus for the bomb threat called in earlier in the day, Miles said he was thankful the threat was insincere and praised the evacuation efforts by those in charge.
“There was some confusion and tense moments,” Miles said. “There’s the issue of ‘Are your children okay?’ or ‘Is daddy okay?'”
Turning his attention to the task at hand, Miles said his team is excited to hit the road and open conference play against the 2010 national champion Tigers in Jordan-Hare Stadium.
“We’ve kind of prepared with road mannerisms here,” Miles said. “[We’ve been] piping music into every practice and I think our guys are looking forward to the road.”
Although looking forward to the first road trip, LSU will have to cope with one sidelined starter.
Miles confirmed that it is not “realistic” junior Alfred Blue will play Saturday after injuring a “lower extremity” in the Tigers’ 63-14 trouncing of Idaho last Saturday.
With Blue on the pine, sophomore Kenny Hilliard and juniors Spencer Ware and Michael Ford will shoulder the load, with redshirt freshman Jeremy Hill chipping in after his two touchdown performance in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s bludgeoning of Idaho.
Miles also expects junior safety Craig Loston, senior offensive guard Josh Dworaczyk and senior center P.J. Lonergan to return to the starting lineup, all of whom had various “nicks” against the Vandals.
“We will get our opponents’ best shot,” Miles said. “We have a lot to prepare for and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Miles lauded Auburn, fresh off an overtime victory over Louisiana-Monroe where he said it played “very well”
“We recognize that not long ago, they were national champions,” Miles said. “Their offensive line is big and strong, they do a nice job with the passing as well.”
The team should not be affected by missing Monday’s practice, Miles said, attributing the team’s handling of a missed practice due to Hurricane Isaac three weeks ago.
But as for the person who called in the bomb threat, Miles had a different tone.
“I hope they find the guy who did this and certainly they can pay the price,” Miles said.
