LSU named wrong guest captains this week

LSU has named Mark Roman, Todd McClure, Alan Faneca, and Stevan Ridley as its guest captains for the Tennessee game but missed a golden opportunity to recognize the stars of one of the biggest wins in program history, the impact of which lasted over two decades. On the evening of September 30, 2000 the nationally ranked Tennessee Vols came to Tiger Stadium to face a reeling LSU team on a two game losing streak and having been embarrassed the week before by UAB at home. Tiger fans were very vocal in wondering how badly had LSU blundered in hiring a mid level Big Ten coach to compete against powerful SEC teams.

On that steamy night the Tigers somehow transformed into a competent and determined team and took the vaunted Vols into overtime. On the first play in OT Quarterback Rohan Davey dropped a dime into the hands of tight end Robert Royal at the goal line and Tiger stadium was absolutely lit. The students left the stands and crowded the sidelines. The Vols drove inside the ten yard line. On fourth and three Damien James broke up a pass in the end zone to seal one of the most improbable wins in LSU history. The students and others stormed the field as Tiger Stadium rocked.

This was a seminal moment in the nascent coaching tenure of Nick Saban as he began to implement The Process and revive a moribund program. One could argue this was the game which restored pride in the Tiger Nation and laid the foundation for five SEC titles and three national championships over the next 20 years. It would have been appropriate for LSU guest captains this week to be the biggest stars from that memorable night, Rohan Davey with 4 TD passes, Josh Reed with 146 yards receiving and three scores, Robert Royal with the game winning TD, Lebrandon Toefied with 120 rushing yards and Damien James with the big defensive play. The game this Saturday presents a similar golden opportunity for LSU to take a giant step back into the national spotlight. Will history repeat? Don't be surprised if it does.