When I realized I'd probably miss the Nov. 11 game against Alabama, I immediately hoped the Nov. 18 matchup with Mississippi would provide an opportunity to extend my ever-shrinking Thanksgiving break. The anticipation didn't come from the possibility of seeing The Orgeron work a sideline in person, or watching Brent Schaeffer take his 96th-ranked statistics under the lights in Tiger Stadium. (Is there a more comedically underrated name than 'Brent'? I don't think I know a Brent who doesn't produce comedy.)
No, it's an occasion becoming more and more special for me as a maturing LSU fan. I've spent four years with these guys, learning their hobbies, favorite foods, 40 times, and Facebook activities. And now... it's all over, all at once? I can remember even tearing up a little when players like Joseph Addai and Kyle Williams were called last season. Then again, it may have been from lack of sleep due to Black Friday. Anyway, this is the last group of players from the championship season, making it more and more disappointing that I have a midterm on Monday.
So the least we can do here at HTF is provide our own Senior Night Special Edition. Think of it as what PA announcer Dan Borne' might say, plus some additional anecdotes and personal memories, minus the tendency to interrupt the Golden Band or say 'peenalized.'
A 6'3" wide receiver from Norland High School in Miami, Florida. After surpassing Michael Clayton, he now owns the LSU career touchdown receptions record with 23. Well-known for two game-saving catches against Oregon State in 2004 and at Alabama in 2005. A general studies major, he probably has the best NFL future of any offensive senior. He'll be missed for his ability to pluck overthrown balls, both at midfield and along the sidelines. Never really benefited from a good nickname in Tigertown, yet he played with less-talented comrades 'X-man' and 'Buster.' Maybe D-Bowe, but that sounds too much like 'Tebow.'#80, Dwayne Lorenzo Bowe.
A 6'0" free safety from Breaux Bridge High School in Breaux Bridge, LA. Nicknamed 'Country' for his duck hunting and fishing hobbies, this General Studies major has acted as defensive captain for three seasons now while playing 45 games. Injury prone, perhaps, but his hard hitting, patience, and sharp understanding of both defensive schemes make this FS near irreplaceable. Often overshadowed by his counterpart LaRon Landry, he has gone tremendously underrated for his consistent play when healthy. Also, he'll be a first-attempt inductee into the HTF Memorial at the end of the season. And, as always, "listens to 'In the Air Tonight' by Phil Collins before every game."#31, Jessie "Country" Daniels.
A 6'2" wide receiver from O. Perry Walker High School in New Orleans, Louisiana. After countless near-impossible diving catches, he has recorded a catch in twenty-three straight starts. Majoring in communications, he definitely has the eyes to look every ball in. Probably the most underrated offensive player in many of his seasons with the Tigers. His sure hands and big play ability has been taken for granted and will definitely be missed. HTF remembers four or five instances in the 2005 Alabama game alone where he brought in even the most unlikely of catches on the ground. He goes by Craig, but you know him as Buster.#3, Craig "Buster" Davis.
A 6'5" offensive tackle from Vancouver College in Vancouver, British Columbia. The first Canadian-born athlete to sign with the Tigers, this second-round CFL draft pick finally earned a starting role at right tackle. His hobbies include refurbishing old cars, including a 1979 Firebird, 1984 F-150, and 1980 Buick Century (?). Originally, teammates derided him with the nickname 'mullet' in 2003 and 2004, until he shaved it off after the national championship game. A history major who has already graduated, he played consistently well as a starter in 2006 when healthy. On everyone's all-conference lists for academics and service.#77, Peter Stefan Dyakowski.
A 5'11" cornerback from Port Barre High School in Port Barre, Louisiana. While never starting a game at defensive back, he made significant contributions to special teams, including a sack-for-safety of Georgia punter Gordon Ely-Kelso in the 2003 conference championship game. In 2006, he saw more opportunities backing up Chevis Jackson in both nickel and dime packages, although that hasn't necessarily been a good thing. A general studies major who lists 'math' as his favorite subject, he hasn't really been a favorite at HTF, giving up critical passes in the Auburn and Florida games this season.#37, Daniel James Francis.
A 5'7" placekicker (any idea?) from Jesuit High School in New Orleans, Louisiana. He certainly has had a career of ups and downs, perhaps moreso than any other senior. In 2003, his first kick in Tiger Stadium was a 47-yarder versus Georgia, when points were definitely at a premium. After sharing kicking duties with Chris Jackson, he still considers making three PATs versus Oklahoma the pinnacle of his career. Points After Touchdown were definitely not gimmes for him, missing five of them in 2003 and 2004, none more important than Auburn in 2004 where the final score was 10-9. He is joined on the roster by his brother, who is a sophomore kicker.#39, Ryan Emile Gaudet.
A 6'1" safety from Plant High School in Tampa, Florida. A reliable backup at the talent-filled safety position, he made significant contributions to Tiger special teams. He often shone in scrub minutes, getting a career-high five tackles in 2005 and his lone interception in 2004, both versus Mississippi State. Saw some additional playing time in 2006 with the injuries to Jessie Daniels and Craig Steltz. A general studies major, he lists his favorite athlete as Randy Johnson.#24, Keron Horatio Gordon.
A 6'0" placekicker/punter from John Curtis High School in River Ridge, Louisiana. A superb athlete who doubles as the starting third baseman on the Tiger baseball team. He has solidified his legacy in Tigertown with both statistical milestones and clutch moments. He was the SEC's leading punter in net average in 2005, a season during which he kicked the game-tying 47-yard field goal against Auburn and the eventual game-winning 42-yard field goal at Alabama. In the field position battle against the Tide, he totaled three punts downed inside the twenty-yard line. In 2003, he kicked the eventual game-winning 45-yard field goal at Ole Miss, sealing the SEC West en route to the title. This animal, dairy, and poultry science major was voted team captain for the season in 2006, figuring out the weight distribution in the game coin nine out of ten times.#41, Christopher Carl Jackson.
A 6'4" tackle from Godby High School in Tallahassee, Florida. A versatile lineman who has netted 27 starts among the right tackle, left tackle, and left guard positions. He recorded 14 pancakes in 2005, which HTF guesses is the only measurable statistic for an offensive lineman. Seemed like a reliable and durable lineman during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. A general studies major who chose LSU over his favorite school as a child, Florida.#75, Brian Garrett Johnson.
A 6'2" strong safety from Hahnville High School and Ama, Louisiana. By far the most heralded NFL prospect for the Tigers, he surprised the entirety of Tigertown by ignoring his first-round prospects in the 2006 NFL draft and returning for his senior season. One of the hardest-hitting Tigers HTF has ever seen, his legacy will always be remembered with visions of a safety blitz and an uncontested shot to the opposing quarterback. No other sack was more memorable than that of Brodie Croyle at Alabama in 2005, further increasing the LSU momentum in the second half. A preseason All-American and communication studies major, he has had another solid season in 2006 and will be starting his 46th consecutive game on Saturday.#30, LaRon Louis Landry.
A 6'5" defensive end from Evangel High School in Shreveport, Louisiana. I'll let a loyal HTFer take over: "[John] and [Jane] are huge Tigers fans--they tailgate in Baton Rouge every home game and travel a lot. And they were in Baton Rouge after a game getting paced--because they're also alcoholics. And they start talking to this woman who's hammered and really mannish-looking. It's the type of thing where at first they want her to leave them alone, but then she ends up being interested and they kind of make fun of her while they're talking to her. And she keeps hitting on [John], even though [Jane] is sitting right there. Like, playing with his hair and stuff. So they're talking to her about fifteen minutes, when all of a sudden, Chase Fucking Pittman walks up--they hadn't noticed him in the bar this whole time--and says, 'Mom, we have to go. Come on. Upsy-daisy.' And drags her out of the place." A general studies major and Junckie favorite, he recorded a safety at Vanderbilt last season.#94, Benjamin Chase "Upsy-Daisy" Pittman.
A 6'0" linebacker from John Curtis High School and Kenner, Louisiana. Originally recruited as a running back in 2002, he later switched to linebacker under Nick Saban. However, is greatest contributions have come from special teams play in all four years. He sat out the 2003 season due to academic disqualifications. He earns a nod from HTF for being that guy who's usually first to hit the return man on punts and kickoffs. A general studies major who has played in 43 games.#33, Jason Edward Spadoni.
A 5'10" running back from Barbe High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana. For all the bickering sent his way from HTF this season, the fact remains that he had the finest freshman season in LSU history. In 2003, he recorded 1,001 yards while starting only seven games, earning MVP honors in both the SEC Championship and National Championship. He recorded runs of 87 and 62 yards in the conference championship, while opening the Sugar Bowl with a 64-yard run on the first play of the game. Had a disappointing season in 2004, but rebounded somewhat in the latter part of 2005. A communication studies major, he has been a solid special teams contributor in all four seasons, but that mysterious, Clarett-like offseason in 2004 will always follow him around.#25, Justin Daniel Vincent.
A 6'3" defensive end from Holy Cross High School in New Orleans, Louisiana. A solid backup for Chase Pittman who has seen action in 32 games. A terrific athlete and student, as he was also a heralded pitcher out of high school. He will have made the SEC academic honor roll all four seasons by graduation while majoring in kinesiology. Has roots to the LSU football program, as his father and uncle both signed scholarships in 1976.#52, Ryan Fortier Willis.
A 6'4" tight end from Leesville High School in Leesville, Louisiana. After being sidelined for most of 2006 with a mysterious stomach ailment, he leaves as a moderately solid contributor at the underutilized tight end position. However, most of HTF's memories come from his dropped passes; he has netted only one career touchdown, but the writer remembers several other situations involving him and the endzone. A general studies major, he was actually born in Heidleberg, Germany and is the only married senior.#89, Keith Jackson Zinger.
Your 2006 LSU seniors.
- P.T.
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