For many, this weekend’s matchup against Appalachian State is just another game on the schedule. But for LSU offensive line coach Stacy Searels, a memory from five years ago has been rekindled.
Searels will be reunited with members of the Appalachian State football team Saturday when No. 6 LSU (6-1, 4-1 Southeastern Conference) plays host to Appalachian State (6-2) at 7 p.m. in Tiger Stadium.
In September 2000, Searels was on the team bus on the way home following Appalachian State’s 30-13 win at East Tennessee State. After seeing a team van smashed by a drunken driver on Route 105, Searels got off the bus to check on the 13 team personnel in the van.
With the car in flames and the van about to catch fire, Searels, along with two other coaches, rushed to the team van. After reaching it, Searels saw two people were stuck inside. After pulling student assistant coach Jonathan Taylor from the flaming van, Searels went back for assistant athletic director Tony Barnett, who was stuck under a tangled seat belt.
Searels ripped the seat out to free Barnett from the burning van.
Only the drunken driver died from the incident. Taylor spent weeks in the hospital following the accident in addition to nearly a year’s worth of rehabilitation.
“All I could think about was Jonathan Taylor,” Searels said. “I could only pray that he lived. I thought he was dead.”
Searels said it was nearly two weeks after the accident before he learned Taylor was going to make it.
“It was an unfortunate event by a drunk driver who caused pain on a bunch of kids who didn’t deserve it,” Searels said. “In football, you learn to react to adverse circumstances. You don’t think, you just react.”
This weekend, Searels will have the opportunity to catch up with former colleagues from Appalachian State, where he spent six seasons as an assistant coach.
LSU is coming into the match-up winners of five straight games, including a 56-3 win at home last weekend against North Texas.
Coach Les Miles said Appalachian State brings a strong offense to Baton Rouge.
“They have talent,” Miles said. “Their quarterback is very good in the style of offense they run. Their running back is shifty and dangerous and they have a good scheme with talented wide receivers.”
Miles said ASU’s defense also brings a strong front.
“The defense can line up in any number of spots,” Miles said. “They are not limited by calls. Certainly their two defensive ends are as talented athletically as the guys we’ll play week-in and week-out.”
Senior defensive end Jason Hunter recorded three tackles against Chattanooga last week in a 35-25 win. Hunter leads the conference with eight sacks.
LSU’s match-up with ASU is the second straight non-conference game and the third of the season.
As for playing two lower-tier teams mid-season, senior linebacker E.J. Kuale said no opponent can be taken lightly.
“It’s just another foe that’s coming into Tiger Stadium,” Kuale said. “If we don’t respect them, they’re going to come in here and take our cookies.”
 
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