When Skip Bertman took over as athletics director of LSU during the summer of 2001, one of his top priorities was to add more in-state schools to the Tigers’ football schedule.
Traditionally, the only state school LSU played in football was Tulane, but during Bertman’s tenure, the Tigers have played Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe as well as Tulane and will play the remaining Division I-A school in the state this Saturday – Louisiana Tech.
“I was pleased to have the chance to play in Tiger Stadium,” said Louisiana Tech Athletic Director Jim Oaks. “We are pleased to have that opportunity, and we’re glad that coach Bertman saw fit to hand us an invitation.”
The Tigers and Bulldogs last squared off in 1941, when LSU took a 25-0 win. The series dates back to 1901 with LSU owning a 15-1 series advantage. The Bulldogs’ lone win came in a 6-0 win at Ruston in 1904.
“This is certainly exciting for our fans and players,” Oaks said. “It’s a real positive for us to have this chance, and it will be a great experience.”
It is especially rewarding for the Bulldogs who are from Louisiana.
“We’ve been doing extra work and spending more time on our assignments and watching film,” said Louisiana Tech cornerback and punt returner Corey Brazil. “I’m glad that I’m a part of this. People here in Ruston and players from the past have wanted [to play LSU] for a long time. And I’m glad that I get to help fulfill those dreams.”
Brazil, a West Monroe native, played with LSU players Rodney Reed, Andrew Whitworth, Jason LeDoux, Brian West and former Tiger Bradie James.
“I’m excited to play against those guys and be on the same field as them again,” Brazil said.
Brazil is tied for the team lead with two interceptions and leads the team with 10 passes defended.
Running back Ryan Moats is from Dallas and did not understand the sentiments the Bulldogs had about playing LSU, but he said he has learned quickly what this game means to Louisiana Tech football.
“I know people are making this game out to be the state championship,” Moats said. “I didn’t get it at first, but now I’m kind of getting the feeling. We are all really anxious to play, and we’re all ready to play.”
Moats has turned some heads the past few weeks by stepping in after starter Ralph Davis was suspended from the team. During the past two games, Moats is averaging 233 rushing yards per game on a team that averages more than 300 yards passing per game.
When asked if Tiger Stadium will be a distraction to him Saturday, Moats said not at all.
“People are trying to make it a big deal,” Moats said. “For me, it won’t be a big deal. It might be loud, but I won’t pay any mind to it.”
The rumor mill suggested that LSU would shun in-state schools when approached about scheduling, but Oaks said that is not the case with Louisiana Tech.
Oaks said he has never attempted to schedule a game with LSU before Bertman took over because he understood LSU’s philosophy of scheduling in-state schools.
If LSU or Tech fans want a continued annual rivalry to commence, Oaks said that is not likely in the cards.
“Well, I know Bertman’s desire to schedule home games, and we’re not able to commit to traveling to Baton Rouge every year,” Oaks said. “We would definitely welcome a game [at Independence Stadium] in Shreveport, but LSU would not find that attractive since they can entertain over 90,000 people in Baton Rouge.”