LSU eager for rematch with Tennessee

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Posted 4:18PM on Thursday, November 2, 2006

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - LSU was ready to celebrate last fall when football returned to Tiger Stadium after two devastating hurricanes swept through Louisiana. Tennessee spoiled the fun. No. 13 LSU (6-2, 2-2 Southeastern Conference) travels to eighth-ranked Tennessee (7-1, 3-1 Southeastern Conference) on Saturday, hoping to crash the party this year. ``We want some payback because of last year,'' LSU safety Jessie Daniels said. ``We have to go there with a mean attitude. We're already down two (SEC losses). We're hungry.'' Hurricane Katrina forced LSU to postpone its opener and then change its second game against Arizona State to an away game. Players harbored displaced family members, and the university campus took in the homeless, sick and injured. The game against Tennessee was then made the home opener, and coach Les Miles' first game in the state. Then Hurricane Rita hit, and the game was moved back two days to Monday night. Fewer fans than normal filled Tiger Stadium that evening, but they were just as loud. LSU pounced on visiting Tennessee early, jumping out to a 21-0 lead in the first half, and the party was on. But the Volunteers had other plans. Trailing 24-7 at the end of the third quarter, Tennessee rallied to tie the game at 24. In overtime, LSU got the ball first and had to settle for a field goal. The Vols won when Gerald Riggs bulled into the end zone from a yard out. ``They were kicking the stew out of us. We were like, 'Oh my gosh,' and we just kept chipping away,'' Tennessee offensive guard David Ligon said. ``It was amazing. The first half I've never heard anything louder in my life. ... A little play here, a little play there and they can't believe it. It was the quietest I've ever heard from something that was that loud maybe an hour before.'' The Vols replaced starting quarterback Erik Ainge with senior Rick Clausen, who had transferred from LSU after coaches told him he wouldn't play much there. In the second quarter, as Ainge was being tackled in the end zone, he flung the ball into the hands of LSU's Kenneth Hollis for a touchdown. Miles said this year's rematch is not about revenge, but there is something to prove. ``They certainly played well against us,'' he said. ``Anytime that you finish second on the scoreboard, you remember. Our football team does.'' The Tigers recovered from the loss, their only one of the regular season. They won nine straight until losing to Georgia in the SEC championship game. The victory ended up being one of the few high points for the Vols last season. The quarterback situation was far from decided in the LSU game with Ainge and Clausen continuing to rotate. Tennessee finished the season 5-6 with no bowl bid for the first time under coach Phillip Fulmer. This season has been a complete transformation with the return of offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe. Ainge is playing much better and has solidly held the starting position. The Vols' only SEC loss this season is to Florida, and the one-loss Gators hold the tiebreaker over them in the East division. Tennessee must win out to maintain position if Florida happens to lose a second league game. ``We need to be focused and have the intensity and energy and practice so we can execute as well as we have executed this season to win this football game,'' Fulmer said. The Vols are dealing with some crucial injuries, but most players have been playing anyway. Ainge sprained his right ankle last week, and has been limited in practice. It's unclear how much he will be able to play. Tennessee is preparing backup, redshirt freshman Jonathan Crompton, to play if necessary. The Vols know LSU won't feel sorry for them. ``They'll be fired up. I know they'll start out fast. I'll guarantee it,'' Ligon said. ``I don't think they are going to back off.'' On the Net: LSU football: www.lsusports.net Tennessee football: www.utsports.com