Football players are allowed to cry one time in their life without getting ragged for it, and LSU’s seniors get their moment Saturday to remember their triumphs and defeats on the gridiron.
Linebacker Bradie James will spotlight senior night activities before the Ole Miss game. James, who leads the team with 124 tackles and ranks second in LSU history with 388 career tackles, came back for his senior season to continue what he started.
Domanick Davis will leave LSU as the school’s leader in punt return yards, with 1,107 yards heading into Saturday’s game. He also ranks second in Southeastern Conference career return yards.
LSU is 3-0 in its last three games honoring seniors and could clinch the SEC West title with a win against the Rebels and if both Auburn and Arkansas lose.
LSU coach Nick Saban said the seniors and other team leaders need to step up for Saturday’s game, stressing how the team controls its own destiny, but it cannot win unless it believes it can.
“Probably there are parts of our team right now that are not as confident as they once were,” Saban said. “And we’ve got to get that confidence back.”
Senior strong safety Norman LeJeune said the game will be something special he can share with everyone for the rest of his life. LeJeune, who has 80 tackles this year, said the seniors are going to remember everything they can from the game and the emotion from the pregame festivities will carry onto the field.
“We really want those guys,” LeJeune said. “It’s gonna be emotional and personal, and it’s going to be a tough game.”
Kenderick Allen, who learned to play defensive tackle from former LSU standout and current Tampa Bay Buccaneer Anthony “Booger” McFarland, has battled injuries in his final year. He learned a lot from his time on the field and wants his final game to mean something.
“You just want to make that long-lasting impression that you gave it your all on the field,” Allen said. “You’re just gonna have to go until you can’t go anymore.”
Reggie Robinson struggled just to have a senior campaign. The wideout from Shreveport missed the entire 2001 season after suffering a neck injury off the field.
Robinson has six catches for 95 yards this year. Going into the game, he has 83 career catches for 1,156 yards and six touchdowns.
“It’s been fun, we’ve had our highs and lows,” Robinson said. “We beat Florida in [Gainsville, Fla.] and not a lot of people who played for LSU can say that — we also have a chance to go back and defend our [SEC] title.”
Though his production has not been on par with past receivers, he said he’s confident his last game will be memorable. Robinson said he has grown up in his five years at LSU.
“I’ve changed a lot since I first stepped foot on campus,” Robinson said. “I’m a father, a husband and I’m about to graduate in December.”