2008 LSU Tigers football team

NCAATeamFootballSeason
Year=2008
Team=LSU Tigers


ImageSize=150
Conference=Southeastern Conference
ShortConference=SEC
Division=West
CoachRank=3
APRank=4
BCSRank=
Record=4-0
ConfRecord=2-0
HeadCoach=Les Miles
OffCoach=Gary Crowton
DefCoach=Doug Mallory & Bradley Dale Peveto
OScheme=
DScheme=
StadiumArena=Tiger Stadium
Champion=
BowlTourney=
BowlTourneyResult=2008 SEC StandingsThe 2008 LSU Tigers football team will represent Louisiana State University in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team's head coach is Les Miles who will enter his fourth year at the helm of LSU Football. They play their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tigers enter the season as defending national champions, having defeated Ohio State, 38–24, in the 2008 BCS National Championship Game.

Previous season

In his third season as head coach, Les Miles led LSU to the 2007 SEC Championship and the 2007 NCAA Division I-FBS national football championship. The Tigers became the first team to win two championships in the Bowl Championship Series era (1998-Present) and also the first 2-loss team to win a national championship, even though no games were lost in regulation. The team finished with a final record of 12-2.

The team overcame 2 triple-overtime losses and four other close games to become the first two-time Bowl Championship Series (BCS) champion ever. On their way to the BCS championship, the Tigers won their tenth Southeastern Conference championship by defeating Tennessee in the 2007 SEC Championship Game.

The Tigers finished the season having earned the Southeastern Conference championship trophy, the Grantland Rice Award, the MacArthur Bowl National Championship trophy, the Associated Press Trophy and the AFCA National Championship Trophy.

Pre-season

In February, the NCAA granted defensive end Kirston Pittman a sixth-year of eligibility. Pittman had missed the 2005 and 2006 seasons with foot and ankle injuries. [ [http://www.nola.com/sports/index.ssf/2008/02/pittman_gets_sixth_year_of_eli.html Pittman gets sixth year of eligibility] ]

Coaching Changes

Defensive coordinator Bo Pelini left to become the head coach at Nebraska. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3138430 Nebraska chooses LSU assistant Pelini as new coach] ]

2008 Recruiting Class

College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Chancey Aghayere
position = DL
hometown = Garland, TX
highschool = Garland High School
feet = 6
inches = 4
weight = 243
40 =
commitdate = 10/13/2007
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 86College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Ryan Baker
position = LB
hometown = Grand Ridge, FL
highschool = Bountstown High School
feet = 6
inches = 0
weight = 210
40 =
commitdate = 7/30/2007
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 80College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = DeAngelo Benton
position = WR
hometown = Bastrop, LA
highschool = Bastrop High School
feet = 6
inches = 5
weight = 285
40 =
commitdate = 2/3/2008
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 5
espn grade = 81College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Matt Branch
position = TE
hometown = Monroe, LA
highschool = Sterlington High School
feet = 6
inches = 5
weight = 240
40 =
commitdate = 6/1/2007
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 79College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Derrick Bryant
position = DB
hometown = Lawrenceville, GA
highschool = Peachtree Ridge High School
feet = 6
inches = 0
weight = 185
40 =
commitdate = 10/13/2007
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 76College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Chase Clement
position = DE
hometown = Thibodaux, LA
highschool = E.D. White High School
feet = 6
inches = 6
weight = 245
40 =
commitdate = 12/8/2007
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 80College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Rockey Duplessis
position = DB
hometown = Belle Chasse, LA
highschool = Belle Chasse High School
feet = 6
inches = 1
weight = 185
40 =
commitdate = 5/4/2007
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 79College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Lavar Edwards
position = DE
hometown = Gretna, LA
highschool = Desire Street Academy
feet = 6
inches = 4
weight = 280
40 =
commitdate = 1/26/2008
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 40College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Tyler Edwards
position = TE
hometown = Monroe, LA
highschool = Ouachita Parish High School
feet = 6
inches = 3
weight = 240
40 =
commitdate = 1/5/2008
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 80College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Cordian Hagans
position = DL
hometown = Snellville, GA
highschool = Northview High School
feet = 6
inches = 5
weight = 290
40 =
commitdate = 7/22/2007
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 77College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Karnell Hatcher
position = DB
hometown = Delray Beach, FL
highschool = Atlantic Community High School
feet = 6
inches = 2
weight = 190
40 =
commitdate = 11/12/2007
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 82College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Alex Hurst
position = OL
hometown = Bartlett, TN
highschool = Arlington High School
feet = 6
inches = 5
weight = 290
40 =
commitdate = 10/6/2007
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 40College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Jordan Jefferson
position = QB
hometown = St. Rose, LA
highschool = Destrehan High School
feet = 6
inches = 4
weight = 210
40 =
commitdate = 11/10/2007
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 80College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Patrick Johnson
position = DB
hometown = Pompano Beach, FL
highschool = Ely High School
feet = 6
inches = 1
weight = 175
40 =
commitdate = 1/5/2008
scout stars = 5
rivals stars = 5
espn grade = 90College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = P.J. Lonergan
position = OL
hometown = New Orleans, LA
highschool = Rummel High School
feet = 6
inches = 4
weight = 290
40 =
commitdate = 2/25/2007
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 79College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Tim Molton
position = WR
hometown = Montz, LA
highschool = Destrehan High School
feet = 6
inches = 3
weight = 190
40 =
commitdate = 7/25/2007
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 74College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Thomas Parsons
position = OL
hometown = Canyon Lake, TX
highschool = Smithson Valley High School
feet = 6
inches = 5
weight = 272
40 =
commitdate = 6/6/2007
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 78College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Deangelo Peterson
position = WR
hometown = New Orleans, LA
highschool = Desire Street Academy
feet = 6
inches = 3
weight = 190
40 =
commitdate = 7/10/2007
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 40College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Kyle Prater
position = LB
hometown = Kerrville, TX
highschool = Tivy High School
feet = 6
inches = 1
weight = 210
40 =
commitdate = 7/31/2007
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 77College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Greg Shaw
position = OL
hometown = Hialeah, FL
highschool = Edward Pace High School
feet = 6
inches = 5
weight = 285
40 =
commitdate =
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 79College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Clay Spencer
position = OL
hometown = Baton Rouge, LA
highschool = Parkview Baptist High School
feet = 6
inches = 6
weight = 285
40 =
commitdate = 2/24/2007
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 76College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Ryan St. Julien
position = DB
hometown = St. Martinville, LA
highschool = Catholic-New Iberia High School
feet = 6
inches = 1
weight = 170
40 =
commitdate = 6/8/2007
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 78College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Brandon Taylor
position = DB
hometown = Franklinton, LA
highschool = Franklinton High School
feet = 6
inches = 0
weight = 178
40 =
commitdate = 4/3/2007
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 80College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Jhyryn Taylor
position = WR
hometown = Franklinton, LA
highschool = Franklinton High School
feet = 6
inches = 1
weight = 180
40 =
commitdate = 4/4/2007
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 74College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Kellen Theriot
position = LB
hometown = Houston, TX
highschool = Episcopal High School
feet = 6
inches = 1
weight = 225
40 =
commitdate = 3/30/2007
scout stars = 3
rivals stars = 3
espn grade = 76College Athlete Recruit Entry
recruit = Chris Tolliver
position = WR
hometown = Rayville, LA
highschool = Rayville High School
feet = 6
inches = 1
weight = 189
40 =
commitdate = 12/19/2007
scout stars = 4
rivals stars = 4
espn grade = 82College Athlete Recruit End
40 = no
year = 2008
rivals ref title = LSU Commit List 2008
scout ref title = Scout.com Football Recruiting: LSU
espn ref title = 2008 Player Commitments - LSU
rivals school = 37
scout s = 107
espn schoolid = 99
scout overall =
rivals overall =
accessdate =
collapse = yes

Key Losses

Offense
*Matt Flynn, QB [http://www.nationalchamps.net/2008/earlybird/teams/louisianastate.htm NationalChamps.net 2008 LSU Early Bird Preview] ] Drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round (209th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft.
*Jacob Hester, FB/RB Drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the third round (69th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft.
*Early Doucet, WR Drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round (81st overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft.
*Ryan Perrilloux [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080502/ap_on_sp_co_ne/fbc_lsu_perrilloux_dismissed;_ylt=AmGTGbXWHK5QLAxJYeg6vV6s0NUE] Dismissed from team February 18, 2008; team policy violations.

Defense
*Glenn Dorsey, DT Drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs fifth overall in the 2008 NFL Draft.
*Craig Steltz, SS Drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round (120th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft.
*Ali Highsmith, LB Signed with the Arizona Cardinals as a rookie free-agent for a two-year deal.

chedule

CFB Schedule Entry
date = August 30
time = 10:00 am
w/l = w
nonconf = yes
away =
neutral =
rank = 6
opponent = Appalachian State
opprank =
site_stadium = Tiger Stadium
site_cityst = Baton Rouge, LA
gamename =
tv = ESPN Classic
score = 41-13
overtime =
attend = 91,922CFB Schedule Entry
date = September 13
time = 7:00 pm
w/l = w
nonconf = yes
away =
neutral =
rank = 7
opponent = North Texas
opprank =
site_stadium = Tiger Stadium
site_cityst = Baton Rouge, LA
gamename =
tv =
score = 41-3
overtime =
attend = 91,602CFB Schedule Entry
date = September 20
time = 6:45 pm
w/l = w
nonconf =
away = y
neutral =
rank = 6
opponent = Auburn
opprank = 9
site_stadium = Jordan-Hare Stadium
site_cityst = Auburn, AL
gamename = Auburn LSU rivalry
tv = ESPN
score = 26-21
overtime =
attend = CFB Schedule Entry
date = September 27
time = 6:30 pm
w/l = w
nonconf =
away =
neutral =
rank = 6
opponent = Mississippi State
opprank =
site_stadium = Tiger Stadium
site_cityst = Baton Rouge, LA
gamename =
tv = ESPN2
score = 34-24
overtime =
attend = CFB Schedule Entry
date = October 11
time = 2:30 pm
w/l =
nonconf =
away = y
neutral =
rank = 3
opponent = Florida
opprank = 12
site_stadium = Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
site_cityst = Gainesville, FL
gamename =
tv = CBS [http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/video/live]
score =
overtime =
attend = CFB Schedule Entry
date = October 18
time = 2:30 pm
w/l =
nonconf =
away = y
neutral =
rank =
opponent = South Carolina
opprank =
site_stadium = Williams-Brice Stadium
site_cityst = Columbia, SC
gamename =
tv = CBS [http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/video/live]
score =
overtime =
attend = CFB Schedule Entry
date = October 25
time = 2:30 pm
w/l =
nonconf =
away =
neutral =
rank =
opponent = Georgia
opprank =
site_stadium = Tiger Stadium
site_cityst = Baton Rouge, LA
gamename =
tv = CBS [http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/video/live]
score =
overtime =
attend = CFB Schedule Entry
date = November 1
time = 7:00 pm
w/l =
nonconf = yes
away =
neutral =
rank =
opponent = Tulane
opprank =
site_stadium = Tiger Stadium
site_cityst = Baton Rouge, LA
gamename = Battle for the Rag
tv =
score =
overtime =
attend = CFB Schedule Entry
date = November 8
time = 2:30 pm
w/l =
nonconf =
away =
neutral =
rank =
opponent = Alabama
opprank =
site_stadium = Tiger Stadium
site_cityst = Baton Rouge, LA
gamename = LSU Alabama Rivalry
tv = CBS [http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/video/live]
score =
overtime =
attend = CFB Schedule Entry
date = November 15
time = TBA
w/l =
nonconf = yes
away =
neutral =
rank =
opponent = Troy
opprank =
site_stadium = Tiger Stadium
site_cityst = Baton Rouge, LA
gamename =
tv = PPV
score =
overtime =
attend = CFB Schedule Entry
date = November 22
time = TBA
w/l =
nonconf =
away =
neutral =
rank =
opponent = Ole Miss
opprank =
site_stadium = Tiger Stadium
site_cityst = Baton Rouge, LA
gamename =
tv =
score =
overtime =
attend = CFB Schedule Entry
date = November 28
time = TBA
w/l =
nonconf =
away = y
neutral =
rank =
opponent = Arkansas
opprank =
site_stadium = War Memorial Stadium
site_cityst = Little Rock, AR
gamename = Battle for the Boot
tv =
score =
overtime =
attend =

Schedule Source: [http://www.lsusports.net/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=27811&SPID=2164&DB_OEM_ID=5200&KEY=&Q_SEASON=2008 2008 LSU Tigers football schedule]

Rankings

cores by quarter

Receiving

Roster

Coaching Staff

References