09-19-2003, 02:00 PM
I'm a little more confident after reading this.....
Difference is night and day at Tiger Stadium
Intimidating or not?
By Anthony Dasher
anthony.dasher@onlineathens.com
Its reputation is renowned.
LSU's Tiger Stadium isn't called Death Valley for nothing. It's loud and raucous, hostile and downright intimidating.
Or is it?
Former Georgia defensive coordinator Erk Russell coached only one game at Tiger Stadium, a night contest in 1978 when the Bulldogs defeated LSU 24-17, although he witnessed countless others there.
Like many coaches who venture into Death Valley for the first time, Russell heard the stories about how difficult the noise was supposed to make it for opposing teams. But that night at least, Tiger Stadium didn't live up to the hype.
''I wish I had a hair-raising story to tell, but as you know my hair has already been raised,'' said Russell. ''That tiger they had was scary, though.''
Don't get Russell wrong. LSU has one loud and intimidating stadium.
In fact, when Tommy Hodson connected with Eddie Fuller on a fourth-and-10 with 1:41 to go for the game-winning touchdown to upset No. 4 Auburn in 1988, word has it the play caused such a thunderous explosion from the crowd of 79,341 that a tremor caused by the vibrations measured on the seismograph across campus.
But Tiger Stadium veterans like former Clemson and Arkansas coach Danny Ford will tell you, Death Valley isn't nearly as intimidating during the day as it is in the evening.
The numbers tell the story.
Since 1960, LSU is 184-61-4 in games played at night in Tiger Stadium. In day games played at Tiger Stadium since 1960, LSU is 14-20-3.
Saturday's game starts at 3:30 p.m.
''It's not near as hard a place to play at in day as it is at night,'' said Ford, who went 1-2 at LSU while he was the Razorbacks' coach. ''When the games are at night, the fans have more time to enjoy themselves, more time to cook out, more time to tailgate, plus it's a lot cooler.''
Ford said winning at Death Valley isn't any more difficult than playing at other SEC sites know for their noise, places like Tennessee, Auburn or Alabama.
Nevertheless, word of the reception that awaits them has reached the ears of Bulldogs players.
''I heard something about throwing bottles or something at the mascot,'' said quarterback David Greene, who noted that Georgia beat LSU 28-27 during the Bulldogs' last trip to Baton Rouge in 1998.
Offensive guard Josh Brock took a recruiting visit to LSU before he signed with the Bulldogs.
''Everybody understands that LSU is a great place to play, especially at night, as soon as that sun goes down,'' Brock said. ''Of course, we're playing at 3:30, but everybody knows it's still going to be wild and it's going to be crazy. The best thing we can do is just to block it out.''
With Greene running the offense, the Bulldogs would appear to be in excellent hands. He has led Georgia to a 9-0 mark in games played at an opponent's home field. Of course, the annual Florida game is played at the neutral Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville.
''I think Coach (Mark) Richt has the best perspective on this because it's on the quarterback, and David Greene has been responsible more than any one single person for the success on the road,'' Georgia Athletic Director Vince Dooley said. ''Usually, on the road is when your offense gets confused, the timing's not good and the quarterback, if he's able to keep his poise and not get rattled, then it reflects on the team.''
But just because Greene and Georgia have fared well on the road, Ford said the Bulldogs better not become complacent.
''There are two ways to look at it. Coach Richt has done very well on the road, but sooner or later it's going to catch up with you,'' Ford said. ''When I coached, I always felt if you didn't get beat at home and get lucky on the road, you'll have a good year. If you can win on the road, you can have a great year, and so far, Georgia has.''
Not so tough
LSU's record in night games since 1960: 184-61-4
LSU's record in day games since 1960: 14-20-3
Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Friday, September 19, 2003.
Difference is night and day at Tiger Stadium
Intimidating or not?
By Anthony Dasher
anthony.dasher@onlineathens.com
Its reputation is renowned.
LSU's Tiger Stadium isn't called Death Valley for nothing. It's loud and raucous, hostile and downright intimidating.
Or is it?
Former Georgia defensive coordinator Erk Russell coached only one game at Tiger Stadium, a night contest in 1978 when the Bulldogs defeated LSU 24-17, although he witnessed countless others there.
Like many coaches who venture into Death Valley for the first time, Russell heard the stories about how difficult the noise was supposed to make it for opposing teams. But that night at least, Tiger Stadium didn't live up to the hype.
''I wish I had a hair-raising story to tell, but as you know my hair has already been raised,'' said Russell. ''That tiger they had was scary, though.''
Don't get Russell wrong. LSU has one loud and intimidating stadium.
In fact, when Tommy Hodson connected with Eddie Fuller on a fourth-and-10 with 1:41 to go for the game-winning touchdown to upset No. 4 Auburn in 1988, word has it the play caused such a thunderous explosion from the crowd of 79,341 that a tremor caused by the vibrations measured on the seismograph across campus.
But Tiger Stadium veterans like former Clemson and Arkansas coach Danny Ford will tell you, Death Valley isn't nearly as intimidating during the day as it is in the evening.
The numbers tell the story.
Since 1960, LSU is 184-61-4 in games played at night in Tiger Stadium. In day games played at Tiger Stadium since 1960, LSU is 14-20-3.
Saturday's game starts at 3:30 p.m.
''It's not near as hard a place to play at in day as it is at night,'' said Ford, who went 1-2 at LSU while he was the Razorbacks' coach. ''When the games are at night, the fans have more time to enjoy themselves, more time to cook out, more time to tailgate, plus it's a lot cooler.''
Ford said winning at Death Valley isn't any more difficult than playing at other SEC sites know for their noise, places like Tennessee, Auburn or Alabama.
Nevertheless, word of the reception that awaits them has reached the ears of Bulldogs players.
''I heard something about throwing bottles or something at the mascot,'' said quarterback David Greene, who noted that Georgia beat LSU 28-27 during the Bulldogs' last trip to Baton Rouge in 1998.
Offensive guard Josh Brock took a recruiting visit to LSU before he signed with the Bulldogs.
''Everybody understands that LSU is a great place to play, especially at night, as soon as that sun goes down,'' Brock said. ''Of course, we're playing at 3:30, but everybody knows it's still going to be wild and it's going to be crazy. The best thing we can do is just to block it out.''
With Greene running the offense, the Bulldogs would appear to be in excellent hands. He has led Georgia to a 9-0 mark in games played at an opponent's home field. Of course, the annual Florida game is played at the neutral Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville.
''I think Coach (Mark) Richt has the best perspective on this because it's on the quarterback, and David Greene has been responsible more than any one single person for the success on the road,'' Georgia Athletic Director Vince Dooley said. ''Usually, on the road is when your offense gets confused, the timing's not good and the quarterback, if he's able to keep his poise and not get rattled, then it reflects on the team.''
But just because Greene and Georgia have fared well on the road, Ford said the Bulldogs better not become complacent.
''There are two ways to look at it. Coach Richt has done very well on the road, but sooner or later it's going to catch up with you,'' Ford said. ''When I coached, I always felt if you didn't get beat at home and get lucky on the road, you'll have a good year. If you can win on the road, you can have a great year, and so far, Georgia has.''
Not so tough
LSU's record in night games since 1960: 184-61-4
LSU's record in day games since 1960: 14-20-3
Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Friday, September 19, 2003.