Football: Rowdy away stadiums not intimidating

When the No. 2 LSU football team hits the road and ventures into an opposing team's stadium, no amount of noise or tradition distracts from the team's goal.

For the third time in four games, the Tigers will be setting up shop away from home this weekend when they play West Virginia in Morgantown.

Much has been said about the environment in the Mountaineers' home stadium, Milan Puskar Stadium. Their mascot — a bearded man dressed head to toe in Mountaineer garb — riles the crowd with a pregame musket shot. Their fans also perform a sing-along version of John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads" at every game.

Despite the rich tradition, LSU players say they won't be intimidated when they take the field.

"Honestly, I really don't pay attention to away stadiums," said sophomore defensive end Sam Montgomery. "I really can't say that there's ever been an intimidation factor anywhere I've played."

Montgomery said playing in Tiger Stadium prepared him for any away game stadium he might encounter.

"Sometimes it's so loud in Tiger Stadium, [the fans] don't know it, but I can't even hear to play," Montgomery said.

Sophomore cornerback Tyrann Mathieu agreed, saying West Virginia shouldn't be much different than anything the Tigers have experienced before.

"I heard they have a lot of fans and a lot of tradition over there, but when we're there we're just playing our game," Mathieu said.

Junior cornerback Morris Claiborne mentioned the Mississippi State game and the infamous cowbell used by Bulldog fans throughout the game as one unique away-game experience.

"That's the loudest I've ever heard an away stadium," Claiborne said.

Senior quarterback Jarrett Lee said Mississippi State's cowbell tradition, as well as Auburn's "War Eagle" and Tennessee's "Rocky Top" are "pretty cool deals whenever we go to those venues."

Sophomore defensive back Tharold Simon said "Alabama is going to be a real rowdy game," and he's excited to make his first trip there as a Tiger. Simon said while it will surely be loud, it's not intimidating.

"I just can't wait to get to that game," Simon said. "It doesn't matter who's yelling."

Mathieu reflected a similar sentiment, saying LSU's tremendous fan support means the team is subject to noise and potential distractions every time they play.

"[LSU fans] are riled up, acting all crazy and excited for the game," Mathieu said. "I think a lot of other teams' fans bring that same intensity to the game."

Screaming fans and packed stadiums are just part of the game, wherever LSU takes the field.

"Once you get there to play football, you don't even think about the facility," Claiborne said. "You're going out there for business."

The consensus among LSU football players seems that while an opposing team's venue may be impressive, once the game starts, all that matters is completing the task at hand.

"It doesn't matter where you play or where you go," Montgomery said. "When you're out there on the field — ESPN, the referees, your coaches — no one can save you."

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Contact Scott Branson at sbranson@lsureveille.com