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It’ll be a sad day for LSU basketball when Jones’ tenure ends because he seemed the right man for his dream job when he was hired five years ago. A DeRidder native, he had been a key player for four seasons as Brown was building LSU into an SEC power and he was Brown’s assistant for 13 seasons. Jones got his head coaching chops at North Texas, where he took the Mean Green twice to the NCAA tournament before returning to Baton Rouge. His first LSU team showed significant progress on its was to 19 victories. His second team went to the NIT and won a game, his third went to the NCAA tournament. Then came the arrival of the No. 1 high-school player in the country — Ben Simmons — and the Tigers seemed likely to return to the NCAA tournament and maybe make some noise in it. But it never happened. The entire 2015-16 season was a letdown and the Tigers finished 19-14 and 11-7 in the SEC. The NCAA tournament had no interest in them and they had none in any other postseason tournament. And, as expected, Simmons left for the NBA after one season and Jones was left to compete with a much-less talented roster. That’s not always bad because often times in basketball less talented teams are able to produce a sum greater than their parts when more talented teams produce sums lesser than the sum of their parts. Remember Brown’s chicken pox team going to the Final Four and a team with Shaquille O’Neal, Chris Jackson and Stanley Roberts failing to get anywhere near it? But with much less talent than last year’s team, this year’s LSU team was an even bigger flop. The season is going to end this week, perhaps as early as Wednesday. And then it will be time to search for someone to replace Jones in a job that frankly isn’t all that attractive to coaches with skins on the wall. The end of this season will be a relief to anyone who has followed this team. But it will also be sad. read more: https://sportsnola.com/inevitable-end-johnny-jones-tenure-lsu-will-sad/

Wow - man I knew things were tough for colleges in Louisiana but I figured LSU was immune. I wonder if this factors into C-USA's interest in ULL..in terms of the funding crisis in LA...?

LSU forward Jordan Mickey, who played alongside Mudiay last season, hails from the suburb of Arlington and calmly laid out what the city’s best thought of SMU before Brown’s hiring . “A lot of people wasn’t looking to go there,” Mickey said Friday. Under different circumstances, maybe Mickey would under Brown’s tutelage instead of Jones, who still mines the Dallas area heavily after spending 12 seasons at North Texas. Yet the Tigers’ coach didn’t elaborate on the challenges of trying carve out a foothold at SMU, which has to contend with UNT and TCU inside its metro area and other in-state competitors from Texas, Baylor, Texas A&M and Texas Tech. “I only know about building at UNT,” Jones said. Read more: http://theadvocate.com/sports/8712660-128/lsu-on-the-road-for

If you look at our first possession of the game it really speaks volumes. We start with a decent 3 yard gain up the middle from DirtyByrd. Then TE Andy Power - who looked like he was double teamed - drops a ball in his hands. Next Ivan DelGado drops a pass in his hands on the sideline. Next we have a penalty on the punt, Atterbury has a shank on the second and there's about a 30-yard gift of field position present we hand LSU. LSU's block in the back helps negate that. The big running play to LSU's Albert Blue sort of broke things wide open. LSU took UNT Nosetackle Tevin Cantly from the hole where Blue ran through all the way to the other side of the line. On the long Mettlenberg pass to Jarvis Landry...Sarge was a hair away from a sack. On the touchdown Tevin Cantly got owned by LSU's #74... #27 Lee tried to fill it but he got HELD by the WR who missed the crack back....the OFFICIAL is standing right there and almost reaches for his flag but remembers where his bread is buttered and doesn't call it. This is exactly why we shouldn't play these scripted win games. I hope that Mac and the staff send that one in because it was really bad. I know what you're thinking, I need a life lol! GMG

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Kenny Hilliard and Alfred Blue rewarded Les Miles' decision to designate them as LSU's top two running backs in the season opener, and they more than compensated for any shortcomings associated with Zach Mettenberger's first start. Hilliard rushed for 141 yards and two touchdowns, and No. 3 LSU opened its season with a 41-14 victory over North Texas on Saturday night. While the heavily favored Tigers were never threatened, their performance did not always thrill a Death Valley crowd that eagerly awaited evidence that LSU's passing game would be much improved with Mettenberger under center. Mettenberger, who was briefly sidelined by a vicious sack, was 19 of 26 for 192 yards, an interception and a touchdown. But LSU didn't really need to throw in a game decided by its overwhelming defense and a running game that accounted for 316 yards, including 123 by Blue. Derek Thompson completed only 8 of 21 passes, but two passes were scoring strikes of 80 and 15 yards to Brelan Chancellor. Odell Beckham Jr., taking over punt return duties after 2011 Heisman Trophy finalist Tyrann Mathieu was dismissed on Aug. 10, ran one back 70 yards for a score. He nearly had two returns for scores, but his 76-yard runback was negated by Jarvis Landry's illegal block. Landry made up for it with eight catches for 82 yards, including two diving receptions, one of which he hauled in with one hand. Read more: http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=322450099

BATON ROUGE - Each week, we'll throw a set of questions at a writer or other media member who covers LSU's opponent to get the a take "from the other sideline." Brett Vito This week, longtime North Texas beat writer Brett Vito of the Denton Record-Chronicle steps to the plate. 1. Now that the storm has passed and football is a go Saturday night, give us a quick synopsis on what the expectations are this season for North Texas in year two under Dan McCarney? "I don't think the expectations for McCarney are different than they are for any coach early in his tenure. People just want to see UNT continue to improve. The interesting question will be what constitutes improvement for this team in terms of its record at the end of the season. "UNT went 5-7 in McCarney's first season, which was pretty astounding when you think about it. UNT won five games the previous two seasons combined. "The immediate thought is, well, the target this year should be six or seven wins, and it is, but the schedule might make that unrealistic. UNT is at LSU, at Kansas State and at Houston this year. Arkansas State and Louisiana-Lafayette are expected to be at the top of the Sun Belt this season, and UNT just lost its best player and all-time leading rusher Lance Dunbar to the Dallas Cowboys (at last check of the waiver wire). "Finishing 5-7 again might not sound all that great, but if UNT gets there and looks good doing it, that might be the low end of what would constitute a good year." Read more: http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2012/08/view_from_the_other_sideline_n.html

McCarney said he expects LSU to give Mettenberger a chance to show what he can do for a variety of reasons, including North Texas' own lack of experience at cornerback. ''What we're trying to do right now is be ready for what we keep hearing, which is they're going to be throwing the ball deep,'' McCarney said. ''They're going to take shots. Why wouldn't you? ... Both of our starting corners right now have never started a game.'' Still, Miles has said he won't veer too far from his run-first philosophy, and McCarney believes him. ''The things you never get away from at LSU is the (physicality) of the football team and running the football,'' McCarney said. ''I know it firsthand, and I know how physical they are. It starts up front on the offensive line. Les Miles played on the offensive line. He coached offensive line forever in his career as an assistant. ''They're going to come off the ball on the snap of the ball and hit you right in the mouth and play physical football,'' McCarney said. ''It's always been that brand of football with coach Miles.'' Then there's the matter of how North Texas will try to move the ball against and LSU defense that still has a talented secondary - even after the dismissal of former Heisman finalist Tryann Mathieu - and perhaps the most feared defensive end tandem in college football: Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo. It could be a long day for North Texas junior quarterback Derek Thompson. Other than receiver Brelan Chancellor, who is also a threat in the return game, North Texas does not have a lot of proven skill players on offense and virtually no experience at running back. Whatever happens, McCarney hopes his players will handle it with more pride than he saw after their 41-0 loss at Alabama last year, when he noticed defensive players in the back of the bus light-heartedly talking about the experience of playing in a packed and electric Bryant-Denny stadium, and who did not seem terribly upset about losing. ''The environment was more important to talk about and what was happening out there, and giggling and laughing, rather than getting spanked ... and embarrassing yourself and the football program,'' McCarney said. ''If we happen to lose this year, do I think that's going to happen on the back of our buses? No. I think we've matured and I think we've come a long ways.'' Read more: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/north-texas-braces-lsu-qbs-151956192--ncaaf.html

read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2012/08/unt-lsu-game-update.html/

BATON ROUGE -- The North Texas football team isn't expecting a particularly warm reception when it takes the field Saturday in Tiger Stadium. But visiting a Southeastern Conference powerhouse for the second consecutive season, the Mean Green know what's in store for them. In week three of last season, the Mean Green suffered a 41-0 drubbing at the hands of then-No. 2 Alabama, but North Texas junior linebacker Zachary Orr said his team learned not to be intimidated. "We tell the young guys to avoid the crowd and don't get caught up in the hype or the big stadium," Orr said. "It's still a 100-yard field, 11-on-11 just like we played in Pop Warner. We still have to go out there and play the game." North Texas senior wide receiver Chris Bynes said he enjoyed the SEC environment playing Alabama last season, but is making sure he and his teammates don't get too caught up in the crowd. "We know (the fans) are going to be loud and talk a lot of smack to us," Bynes said. "We've got to be united and come out with a win." Mean Green junior quarterback Derek Thompson, who completed 11-of-22 passes for 80 yards against Alabama a year ago, said a year of starts under his belt prepared him for the challenge he'll face this Saturday. Read more: http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2012/08/north_texas_no_stranger_to_sec.html

The North Texas offense has the benefit of returning nine players with starting experience, including junior QB Derek Thompson who threw for 1,759 yards and 11 TDs last season despite completing just 57.7 percent of his pass attempts. Wide receivers Brelan Chancellor and Chris Bynes are back after combining for 74 catches, 899 yards and 8 TDs in 2011, although both will need to elevate their level of play considerably as the team tries to find a replacement for leading rusher Lance Dunbar (269 carries, 1,115 yards, 10 TDs). Hoping to fit the bill will be a slew of skilled, if unproven runners, although the only ones with any experience whatsoever are junior Brandyn Bird (20 carries, 83 yards, 1 TD) and senior Jeremy Brown (5 carries, 23 yards). The UNT defense allowed more than 30 points and 429 total yards per contest last season, so shoring things up at the point of attack is paramount to the team achieving better results this time around. At first glance, the unit lacks playmakers. But all isn't lost as junior linemen Brandon McCoy (44 tackles, 4.5 sacks) and Ryan Boutwell (28 tackles, 2.5 TFL) provide some stability, while last year's top tackler, junior LB Zachary Orr (74 stops, 7 TFL, 1 INT) highlights the middle of the field. The secondary suffered widespread losses due to graduation, meaning all four starters will be brand new. McCarney did a solid job of convincing some talented defensive backs to come to Denton, and look for a guy like Oklahoma transfer Marcus Trice to make an immediate impact. LSU put up more than 35 points per game in 2011, using a solid ground attack (202.6 ypg, 35 TDs) to do the bulk of the damage. Junior RB Michael Ford is back after rushing for 756 yards and 7 TDs last year, averaging 6.0 ypc in the process, and Spencer Ware (177 carries, 707 yards, 8 TDs), Alfred Blue (78 carries, 539 yards, 7 TDs) and Kenny Hilliard (62 carries, 336 yards, 8 TDs) can also expect to get plenty of work this season as well. Read more here: http://www.macon.com/2012/08/29/2154097/north-texas-0-0-at-3-lsu-0-0-et.html#storylink=cpy

Assuming that this storm causes significant damage to Baton Rouge (like Gustav did), would LSU consider moving the game to North Texas, like was done with Arizona State in 2005? Or would this game be canceled and not rescheduled at all? Hopefully, the storm blows through quickly, and there is no significant wind damage, power outages and flooding. However, you have to plan for the worse case scenario. Read more: http://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/p/35583761/Would-LSU-consider-playing-this-game-at-North-Texas.aspx

The combination of North Texas and hurricanes is becoming old hat for Les Miles. As the Tigers prepare for their season opener against the Mean Green, preparations are now extending beyond the gridiron’s scope for a third time in Miles’ tenure, with Tropical Storm Isaac bearing down on Louisiana. “The good news is we’ve been through this before,” Miles said. “What we’ll do [Tuesday] when they arrive at the building, we’ll have very specific orders and suggestions. It’s a pretty simple view given some choices of where they might stay and hunker down and let’s see what happens after.” LSU also had to switch a season opener against North Texas in 2005, Miles’ first season, due to the impact of Hurricane Katrina. Athletic Director Joe Alleva said in a statement Monday afternoon that the game is still scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, but the situation will be continually evaluated throughout the next several days. Before Alleva made that statement, Miles said LSU was preparing like a normal game week, touting the Mean Green as a feisty opponent. “The reality of this game for us is that North Texas does absolutely pose a tremendous challenge to us, and we have to be ready,” Miles said. “But it also puts us in the position of starting the year and where are we. Are we in the position to play four quarters of quality football?” The Tigers may have to take on that challenge without two experienced contributors. Junior running back Michael Ford and junior linebacker Tahj Jones are dealing with academic issues that could indefinitely hinder their eligibility, Miles confirmed Monday. “There is some appeal process that’s being undertaken for those guys,” Miles said. “We’ll kind of have to wait and see how that all turns out as we get closer to the game.” LSU also released a depth chart prior to Miles’ weekly luncheon, complete with a few mild surprises. Junior James Wright earned the starting wide receiver spot opposite sophomore Odell Beckham Jr., junior Alfred Blue and sophomore Kenny Hilliard will serve as co-starters at running back and redshirt freshman Stephen Rivers nabbed the No. 2 quarterback spot over Penn State transfer Rob Bolden. On defense, senior Josh Downs beat out sophomore Ego Ferguson at defensive tackle, junior Luke Muncie bested Jones at the Sam linebacker spot and Mills, Collins and a pair of freshmen named Jalen will man the left cornerback position. Miles indicated that Jones’ potential absence could open up playing time in an already inexperienced linebacking corps. “[Freshmen] Kwon Alexander, Deion Jones, I think those two guys by in large have taken coaching fast enough to get to the field,” Miles said. “As much as anything, that’s the key piece. All six [freshmen linebackers] are talented guys.” Read more: http://www.lsureveille.com/sports/football-despite-tropical-storm-miles-preparing-like-normal-for-mean-green-1.2753303#.UDw_KGt5mSM

Low morale. Troubled funding. Persistent uncertainty. Lack of stability. Concerns about political meddling. Those are among the assessments that higher education consultants catalogued as they interviewed dozens of university leaders, faculty, staff and students across the LSU System. Those are the hurdles a new system president will have to overcome when walking into a job that remains undefined. And those are the types of concerns that should fold into conversations for the LSU Board of Supervisors, which is deciding what to do with the system's governance and who to hire to lead the $3.5 billion higher education enterprise. The three consultants with the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, or AGB, delivered their assessment of the LSU System's problems and potential at a recent retreat with the system's governing board, the Board of Supervisors. Board members, who appear to be taking a more hands-on approach with their leadership roles than their predecessors, are weighing whether to restructure the university system and whether to merge the system president's job with the chancellor's position at the flagship campus in Baton Rouge. Both jobs are vacant. John Lombardi was fired as system president in April, after he clashed with Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration over higher education policy and criticism about his leadership style. Mike Martin left the chancellor's job this summer to lead the Colorado State University System. Read more: http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20120827/OPINION/208270310/Louisiana-Spotlight-LSU-plagued-by-low-morale-worries-about-funding

Saturday's football game between No. 3 LSU and North Texas is still scheduled as of now for 6 p.m. at Tiger Stadium. North Texas Senior Associate Athletic Director Eric Capper said the North Texas athletic department has been in constant contact with LSU. Capper said the Mean Green are scheduled to fly into Baton Rouge on Friday afternoon, but that could change depending on the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac. If the game were to be moved, Capper said LSU would be the side to initiate rescheduling discussions. "Any talks as far as canceling or rescheduling the game are premature at this point until we know exactly what's happening or the extent of the storm's impact," Capper said. "As soon as LSU feels that step is warranted, we'll cooperate with them and work something out. Both sides are in communication with each other, but we're planning to play right now." The Tigers held practice today, but Les Miles' radio show has been pushed back from Tuesday night to Thursday at 7 p.m. due to Hurricane Isaac. The LSU volleyball team has moved this weekend's Tiger Classic tournament from the PMAC to Rice University in Houston because of preparations for Hurricane Isaac. Read more: http://www.lsureveille.com/sports/lsu-athletics-affected-by-impending-hurricane-1.2753753#.UD2N3mt5mSM

http://www.gomeangreen.com/images/lsunotes.pdf You need adobe to download and view this file. Courtesy UNT Athletic Department (MeanGreenSports.com)

Tyrann Mathieu was dismissed from LSU last Friday and in the week after, little light had been shed on coach Les Miles' decision to let his Heisman Trophy player go. That is until a Louisiana FOX affiliate reported that Mathieu had been in drug rehab since Monday according to the player's father. From the report: [T]hey've now decided, as a family, that Tyrann will remain at a drug rehab center in Houston for the near future, instead of returning to classes at LSU or any other college - in order to play football this fall. Mathieu's father, Tyrone, told FOX 8 Sports that he, Tyrann, and the Mathieu family are committed to getting his son healthy and that football will take care of itself. Read more: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/campusrivalry/post/2012/08/lsus-honey-badger-tyrann-mathieu-is-in-drug-rehab/1#.UC5Oumt5mSM

Orr also could sense the heightened level of competition on the defensive side of the ball, where UNT is rebuilding after losing several key players following last season. “It was very competitive,” Orr said. “It helped us a lot as a team.” The higher level of competition was good for several players individually. Thompson named tackle LaChris Anyiam as one of the players who has improved the most during fall camp. Anyiam is competing with Coleman Feeley for the starting job at right tackle. Orr singled out his backup Derek Akunne as one of the players who has improved the most. Akunne isn’t expected to bump Orr from UNT’s lineup, but he could challenge for a starting job at outside linebacker. “Derek is really athletic and fast,” Orr said. “He can play any linebacker position.” McCarney named safety David Busby and offensive lineman Connor Trussell as two of the younger players who have stood out. Busby will play this season, while Trussell’s status on the depth chart at one of UNT’s deepest positions is still up in the air. Read more: http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/colleges/north-texas-headlines/20120822-football-mean-green-turns-focus-to-competing-against-lsu.ece

After opening the past two seasons with big ticket matchups against No. 18 North Carolina and No. 3 Oregon, respectively, the Tigers say they aren't sleeping on obvious underdog North Texas. "Our coaches have been preaching to prepare exactly how we prepared for Oregon and the team has responded," said junior defensive lineman Barkevious Mingo. "You can never underestimate an opponent because they're going to give you their best shot, whoever it may be." Sixth-year senior offensive lineman Josh Dworaczyk said LSU is already going over the game plan for the Mean Green, but aren't hurrying things too much. "It's still early on," Dworaczyk said. "You give us two weeks, we're going to take two weeks." Read more: http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2012/08/lsu_football_team_not_overlook.html

UNT has 12 players 300 pounds or over; LSU has 18 UNT has 20 players 6-4 or taller; LSU has 29 UNT has 92 players from Texas; LSU has 13 LSU freshman QB Steven Rivers is 6-8, 225 LSU freshman fullback Steven Scardinia is 5-11, 272 LSU QB Rob Bolden is a new transfer from Penn State And eligible to play immediately http://www.lsusports.net/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=27812&SPID=2164&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=5200&SORT_ORDER=4&Q_SEASON=2012 http://www.meangreensports.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=9053&SPID=562&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=1800&SORT_ORDER=3&Q_SEASON=2012&PRINTABLE_PAGE=

--LSU picked up Penn State QB Rob Bolden. --And the Tigers were ranked #1 in the first USA Today/Coaches Poll for the 2012 college football season. The fallout from the NCAA penalties to the Penn State football program continued as several notable players transferred from Penn State to other colleges. One of those transfers was QB Rob Bolden. Bolden, once the starting QB at Penn State, now is at LSU practicing with the #1- ranked Tigers. Bolden is eligible right now as the NCAA granted any transfers from Penn State the opportunity to play right away due to the penalties that were handed down to the PSU Football Program. Read more: http://www.amitetoday.com/view/full_story/19695454/article-Tigers-get-new-QB-Rob-Bolden-as-they-open-season--1?instance=news_special_coverage_right_column

http://theadvocate.com/multimedia/photos/3518268-93/photos-lsus-first-day-of

Read more: http://www.andthevalleyshook.com/2012/7/2/3130676/2012-season-preview-sept-1-vs-north-texas-mean-green

BATON ROUGE - One day after LSU Assistant Men's Basketball Coach Shawn Forrest stepped down, questions have been raised as to why. He had only been an assistant coach for the Tigers for 40 days before leaving abruptly. Forrest said in a statement Monday, "I appreciate the opportunity given to me by Coach Jones and LSU. There are some personal matters that have taken a priority that I need to give immediate attention." Last month in a news release issued through email and posted on their website, LSUSports.net, a spokesperson for the athletic department wrote of Forrest's basketball and life accomplishments. One paragraph read, "Forrest received a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Arkansas Pine Bluff in 1998 and a Master's of Education from Troy [university] in 2000." But Troy University has no record Forrest ever completed the program. Read more: http://www.wbrz.com/news/resume-questions-arise-after-lsu-coach-s-resignation/

Looks like now they are threatening not to schedule us ever again unless we release Odoh...whatever -- hey, guys how about releasing us this year! http://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/display.aspx?p=33123286&pg=14