Dec. 20, 2007

NEW ORLEANS, LA. - The Tiger football team had a busy day on Thursday just one day prior to closing out the 2007 season against Florida Atlantic in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. Game time is slated for 7 p.m. Friday at the Louisiana Superdome.

The squad gathered for a kickoff luncheon that featured both teams as well as cheerleaders, bands and administrators. The teams were treated to a highlight video that included season clips as well as footage from the Rock N Bowl event and Wednesday's practice session. Both coaches, Tommy West and Howard Schnellenberger, had a question and answer session where they spoke about key players and about the seasons in general. Former LSU men's basketball coach Dale Brown addressed the crowd and provided a motivational speech about overcoming hurdles in life.

The Tigers had their first session in the Superdome Thursday evening and gathered for an official bowl team photo upon arriving at the facility. The walk-through lasted for about 45 minutes as the guys worked out in their game jerseys and practice shorts. Following practice, the team signed footballs for the Rhinos of Easton Playground. The Rhinos are a youth football organization that won their league and through the NCAA Football Program, they were able to come out to practice today. All youth players from that league were provided tickets through NCAA Football and will have the opportunity to go to the game tomorrow.

There has been plenty of Tiger blue spotted in and around the hotel. Many of the fans were planning on attending both the Fulton Street Fan Party hosted by the New Orleans Bowl as well as the True Blue Celebration hosted by the U of M Alumni Association. Though the weather was dreary early in the day, the rain cleared out by the evening.

Tomorrow's game will be carried live on ESPN2 and there will also be a taped delay broadcast on CSS on Monday, Dec. 24, at 7 p.m. CT.

"Today was a little bit better," said West. "Hopefully we got their attention and we had a little more focus. I liked the way they were in meetings earlier today. I was disappointed with our timing because offensively we were off yesterday and with as much as we throw the ball, we can't afford to be off."

"One of the keys to winning this game will be special teams," West said when asked what it would take to win tomorrow. "I think both of these offenses are going to score points because they are both good and have scored points all year. I think whoever's special teams unit can give their offense a short field and then make the other team go the long way with your cover teams, is going to have the advantage."

"We are going to have a good time playing tomorrow night and let it all roll and try to get us a win,"