Linebacker Clarence McDougal has waited over two years for this weekend and he’s not going to let it go to waste.
The sophomore from Clinton red-shirted his freshman year due to a knee injury that he suffered in preparation for a postseason all-star game.
McDougal has much anticipated his first Southeastern Conference match-up and will start things off against the No. 7 LSU Tigers (4-0, 1-0) Saturday night at Scott Field.
“It’s gonna be a big game, being on national TV. Everybody should be excited to play,” McDougal said. “We’re playing at home so we have the crowd behind us.”
McDougal went on to discuss the spirit and confidence of the winless Bulldogs:
“The team is down, but we know that we are 0-0 in the SEC, so we’ve still got a chance to do what we set out to do, to win an SEC title.”
That may bring much hope to the Bulldog faithful who witnessed the Bulldogs’ losses against Conference USA opponents Tulane and Houston.
“We are really not that bad. It’s just a lot of big plays we’re giving up. We must stop giving up those big plays,” McDougal said.
“When you give up a big play on the first play of the game it just takes a lot out of everybody. We still are fighting and climbing into it. It just hurts, those big plays. They don’t have to drive the whole field.”
The Bulldogs’ three losses are by a total of 18 points. McDougal said tough losses make you work harder.
“When you are losing by seven points or less it makes you hungrier,” McDougal said.
McDougal also said that his team has been on the verge of victory and when the first win comes it could spark a chain of W’s.
“When we get that first win it’s going to help a lot of people,” he added.
It would be momentous if that win McDougal talks about could be this weekend against a potent LSU team.
Head coach Jackie Sherrill said this is the best all-around LSU football team that he has ever seen.
“On film it would be best to describe LSU as a complete football team, offensively, defensively and in the kicking game. The offense has a lot of super stars,” Sherrill said.
The Tiger’s superstars include wide receiver Michael Clayton who is seen by many to be one of the best all-around athletes in the nation.
McDougal said that for the defense there are two things the Dawgs must stop.
“We have to first stop the run and then No. 14 (Clayton).”
LSU also has a savvy quarterback in Matt Mauck.
“Mauck is a very steady player,” Sherrill said. “He has been very very impressive and very smart. He runs the option and he runs it very well.”
Up front on both sides of the ball LSU is big, smart and talented. They miss few blocks and protect Mauck well.
Sherrill and McDougal agreed that MSU’s defense has got to stop the run before anything.
The Tigers utilize two running backs (Shyrone Carey and Joseph Addai). Together they average over 120 rushing yards a game.
But besides the offensive side of the ball, how does LSU’s defense look?
Good enough to hold the No. 12 Georgia Bulldogs to just 10 points in last week’s contest. Georgia entered the game averaging 30 points per game.
The Tiger defense is ranked eighth in the nation and first in the SEC. LSU is only allowing 260 yards a game.
“They are very physical,” Sherrill said. “On defense they are allowing their opponents only 65 yards rushing and when you’ve played Georgia that’s pretty outstanding.”
This is a big game for the Bulldogs for a number of reasons. The Dawg offense that is averaging 445 yards per game will measure itself against a tough Tiger defense.
Secondly, State must show that it can play pass defense.
Lastly, Mississippi State will try to break the spell that LSU commands over the Dawgs. MSU has lost nine out of 10 games to the Bayou Bengals. Two years ago LSU drummed the Bulldogs 42-0 in an 8 p.m. game on ESPN 2.
A Bulldog upset would end State’s eight game losing streak that dates back to Nov. 2, 2002, when the Kentucky Wildcats beat the Dawgs 45-24.