Former coach Nick Saban said he prepared for the New Orleans Saints this past week while trying to eliminate all nostalgic distractions that came with returning to Tiger Stadium.
Saban led the Miami Dolphins out of the unfamiliar visitor’s locker room onto the visiting sidelines and to a 21-6 victory. Once the clock reached zero, Saban could begin to release all the pent up feelings that came from standing in Death Valley.
“I’ve really tried to make this about our team in terms of coming back here to play, but the people have been so wonderful relative to the kind of reception that we’ve been given,” Saban said. “I totally minimized anything about me coming back here to play this game. I really do feel like this was coming home to play a game, and it was exciting for me even though I wouldn’t say it.”
Kickers for both teams accounted for most of the points before the Dolphins added the only touchdown of the game and a safety.
Olindo Mare had four field goals on the night, but the spotlight belonged to Ricky Williams who had his most successful game since returning to the NFL this season rushing for 82 yards.
“I’m really happy for Ricky Williams,” Saban said. “Ricky has done everything we have asked him to do ever since he came back. He did a nice job in the preseason. Then he goes through the suspension which is really five weeks. He worked his tail off during that time and so here we are the seventh game of the season before he really gets any positive self-gratification.”
Williams, a former Saint from 1999-2000, said the success he felt from the game was long awaited but something that he knew would eventually come.
“I just knew that the longer I stayed positive and not get frustrated that eventually it would pay off,” Williams said. “I think there is always some satisfaction when you do your job well. Aside from that it is just nice to win.”
Williams was second in rushing for the Dolphins behind former Auburn running back Ronnie Brown who rushed for 106 yards. Out of 47 carries in the game, Brown accounted for 23 attempts, followed by Williams with 17.
“I think it’s going real well,” Brown said. “It’s getting better each week. We’re getting more consistent – getting a little more comfortable.”
The Saints home crowd booed the referees, Saints owner Tom Benson and even their own team. The loudest boos rang out when Benson appeared on the Jumbotron to urge fans to aid hurricane relief efforts. Although fans did not have the chance to react to Saban’s presence, the former LSU coach said he would have understood any reaction.
“I have tremendous amount of respect for people and their affiliations,” Saban said. “There are people in the state of Louisiana who are New Orleans Saints fans and LSU fans should be able to be both of those. There were a lot of people with New Orleans Saints shirts on that were very nice to me in terms of welcoming back and all that kind of stuff.”
Saban found time in his NFL schedule to visit with LSU coach Les Miles. Although he was too busy to visit with former players, Saban said that he still is devoted to the LSU community.
“I think all these players here know that we are supporting them 100 percent in everything that they do,” Saban said. “I would certainly love to see those guys, but I watch them on TV. I’ve seen them play about four times and other than the Tennessee game, I’ve been extremely proud of the way they played. I’m right with you here now. I still love college football and I still love LSU.”
 
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