A cloud hung over Tiger Stadium and its fans Saturday night as the Bayou Bengals took the field against the Texas A&M Aggies for what could have been beloved head coach Les Miles’ last game at the helm of the program.
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BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) – LSU athletic director Joe Alleva says Les Miles will remain the coach of the Tigers.
“I am very pleased with tonight’s outcome, and I am very pleased Coach Miles is our coach”, Alleva said. “We are committed together to working to win to compete at the highest level”, Alleva said.
When asked if it was hard to remain focused on football when the media constantly reports eminent doom, Miles responded confidently. He won the BCS National Championship during the 2007 season.
Many fans and insiders want Miles to shift to more of a spread offense in the future.
By the time Saturday rolled around, the mood of most of the 101,803 in attendance was clear gratitude toward Miles.
LSU is 0-5 against Alabama since winning that “Game of the Century” in Tuscaloosa during the 2011 regular season, and it’s Alabama – and not LSU – that has pulled away as the top dog in the SEC West.
Indeed, it was emotional victory for the Tigers, who carried Les Miles across the field on their shoulders after more than a week of intense speculation that their coach could soon be out of a job. LSU’s offense is predicated on a strong running game led by star running back Leonard Fournette, but LSU’s offensive line was dominated during its three-game losing streak and the running game was stymied.
“I’m not answering any of those questions”, Miles said.
LSU linebacker Deion Jones (45) and defensive end Lewis Neal (92) sack Texas A&M quarterback Kyle Allen (10) during the first half an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015. “We should win all the time”.
Watson helped his team to a 37-32 win on Saturday, keeping the team undefeated and with the ACC Title game to be played next week, he could make a statement for the running backs to split the vote so he can win the award. He said LSU President F. King Alexander informed him first, followed by Alleva. There will be plenty of time to figure out what happens next, including LSU’s bowl destination. “What a great job it has been to lead a team on Tiger Stadium”.
Florida State’s Jimbo Fisher, who was the Tigers offensive coordinator from 2000-2006, became an attractive name amongst some fans, and there was presumed interest between the two parties. LSU could do little with the good fortune as two runs netted a negative yard, and Harris missed wide receiver John Diarse.
LSU’s Domingue kicked 38-yard FG.
LSU drove 70 yards in 13 plays late in the first quarter and early in the second quarter with Fournette getting 60 of those on seven carries, including a 23-yard run to the A&M 13.
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The Tigers drove 44 yards in nine plays for the first field goal. “That’s how we think of it. That’s how this team thinks of it. We wouldn’t want anyone else here”.
