Football: Tigers won’t be taking it easy against Northwestern State

Wedged between a season-opening matchup against then-No. 3 Oregon and a Thursday night game against the No. 16 team in the country is a showdown with an in-state rival that's 0-10 all-time against LSU.

LSU has outscored Northwestern State, 417-0, in those 10 games.

But that won't stop LSU from treating its Saturday night matchup in Tiger Stadium differently from any other game.

The Demons (1-0) are coming off a 24-23 win over Delta State, a game LSU coach Les Miles said he watched.

"They came from behind to beat Delta State," Miles said. "It's a very competent scheme, very solid football."

The game is a homecoming of sorts, as the Tigers will grace the field at Death Valley for the first time this season, while former LSU co-defensive coordinator Bradley Dale Peveto will grace the opposing sideline.

"I have great respect for Bradley Dale Peveto," Miles said. "He has them flying around. He has them well-organized."

Peveto reciprocoted the respect from Miles and said he's embracing the return to Baton Rouge.

"I can try to describe it, but until our guys hit that field and experience the thrill of Tiger Stadium, what I say won't do it justice," Peveto said. "LSU's fans make it that way and hopefully we can earn their respect with the way we compete."

The No. 2 Tigers, ahead two spots in the polls after a dominating 40-27 performance against Oregon last weekend, contained their excitement after the win in Cowboys Stadium, according to Miles.

"Did I take some personal time [to celebrate]?" Miles asked rhetorically. "You betcha. A good 15 minutes in the stadium, a warm, comfortable thought at home on Sunday morning and then on to the next opponent and on to improving the team."

Sophomore defensive end Barkevious Mingo said regardless of the opponent, the Tigers will try to execute their game plan.

"We know what kind of season we want to have," he said. "We just have to prepare for their best shot."

Many players also said while the Oregon win was satisfying, the Tigers need to tweak a few things before facing the Demons.

"[Miles] showed us some effort plays that weren't really 100 percent," Mingo said. "It's just the little things that add up and make a big difference. Correcting them could mean the difference between shutting somebody out or giving up a big play."

The Demons have been shut out in every game against the Tigers, but Miles insists that's not what's on the team's mind.

"It's more important that we seal victory and worry less about whether they score a point," Miles said. "We need to play 60 minutes of strong football and go from there."

Miles said he would've liked to use junior wide receiver Rueben Randle more than he was able to in the Oregon game.

Randle only caught one pass for 10 yards against Oregon, which went for a touchdown. He said he may get his chance to make more of an impact this weekend.

"[Miles] expected us to make more plays," Randle said. "Northwestern will give us that opportunity since they're a man-based team, so I'm looking forward to making more plays than I did last weekend."

With a little more freedom likely in substitutions, Miles said sophomore backup quarterback Zach Mettenberger is progressing behind senior quarterback Jarrett Lee, who played every snap at quarterback against Oregon.

"Whether or not he'll get some snaps in this game or how significant those snaps will be, I'm not ready to say yet," Miles said. "But his preparation will be increased without question."

Miles named senior fullback James Stampley captain for the game after an impressive showing in the Oregon game.

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Contact Albert Burford at

aburford@lsureveille.com