re: The play that changed LSU football

Posted on 12/12/11 at 5:35 pm to lsumatt

Posted by Godfather1

What WAS St George, Louisiana

Member since Oct 2006

79871 posts

Posted on 12/12/11 at 5:35 pm to lsumatt

quote:
Obviously it was more than one play that turned LSU football in the 2000's and maybe LSU would have been great without it...but I will always point to one play that changed LSU from football mediocrity to elite. It was Saban's first season (2000) and LSU just dropped an embarrassing game to UAB at home. The Tigers hosted #10 Tennessee (one of the elite programs in the country). Tigers surged to a 24-8 lead, but the Vols fought back and tied it 24-24 with about 2 minutes to go. LSU had the ball, 2nd and 10 from about the 15. Rohan drops back...and intentionally grounds the ball under intense pressure. So its 3rd and 18, well inside the LSU 10 yard line. We all know what events will transpire. We have read this book before. It has happened so times games the last 10 years. Avert your eyes. LSU will run a lame draw play for 3 yards. Tigers will punt the ball from their own 10 - off the side of the foot and will be lucky to get 25 yards off the punt. Tenn will already be in position to kick the game winning field goal, but just for good measure they will score a TD as time expires. Why would we expect anything differently? But wait, that isn't a draw play. Rohan takes the ball from the shotgun. He drops back to his own endzone and throws a bullet to Josh Reed for 25 yards. FIRST DOWN FOR THE TIGERS! There would be no punt. No last second TD or FG for the Volunteers. No heart broken loss. Instead, LSU moves the ball until time expired and the game goes into OT. Rohan flicks his wrist on 1st down to throw a strike Robert Royal in the endzone. Tenn has their chance to answer, but it is too late. LSU football had already changed forever and Tennessee stands no chance. LSU gets their first win of the 2000's over a top 10 team - the first of many to come. The play that changed LSU football was a 3rd and long strike from Davey to Reed from their own 5 yard line.

I was there that night...the play happened right in front of me. I remember it well.

BTW, you left out the part about Rohan playing virtually crippled that night.