LSU coach Les Miles took some time Wednesday to talk to his team about the tragic shooting death of University of Miami football player Bryan Pata.
Pata, senior defensive lineman, was shot and killed Tuesday night in his apartment complex parking lot located four miles from Miami’s campus.
“We’re sad for what happened at the University of Miami,” Miles said. “We talked about that to our team. It doesn’t make a difference how big or strong you are; guns kills you.”
Miami natives Ali Highsmith, Ricky Jean-Francois and Dwayne Bowe all knew Pata, according to Miles.
“I am told that he was working hard to do the right things,” Miles said. “We’re saddened like all of college football. Our condolences go to the University of Miami and [Pata’s] family.”
The Associated Press reported the Hurricanes resumed practice Wednesday and plan to play Saturday against the University of Maryland. Investigators have determined the shooting to be a homicide.
CONTROVERSIAL PLAY RULING
Miles said Southeastern Conference officials have reviewed the questionable touchback ruling in LSU’s game Saturday against the University of Tennessee and are split on the call.
“They looked at it as a conference and were divided on the call – divided on whether the ball touched him or not,” Miles said. “It’s kind of, in my opinion, a little like being pregnant. If you’re pregnant, you’re pregnant. If the ball touches you, it’s going to be our possession.”
NATIONAL AWARD WATCH LISTS
LSU junior quarterback JaMarcus Russell was named Wednesday one of 18 semifinalists for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award.
The winner will be announced Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. on ESPN. Notable SEC award semifinalists include Tennessee’s Erik Ainge and Florida’s Chris Leak.
LSU senior safety LaRon Landry is also a national award semifinalist.
Landry was named one of 11 semifinalists for the Thorpe Award for the second-consecutive season. The award is given to the nation’s top defensive back.
The only other SEC semifinalist is Florida’s Reggie Nelson Jr.
The Thorpe Award winner will also be announced Dec. 7.
NOISY ON ‘D’
During this week’s practices the LSU coaching staff used its large, outdoor speakers to pipe in some extra noise during defensive drills.
Using noise is usually reserved for road-game preparation, but Miles said his defensive players requested the sound themselves for this weekend’s home game against the University of Alabama.
“The defense wants to make sure that they can communicate with stems and shifts,” Miles said. “It’s always a little bit louder when our opponent has the ball than when we have it.”