GLENDALE, AZ -- What do the No. 11 LSU Tigers have to look forward to when they collide with the No. 8 University of Central Florida Knights come New Year’s Day in the Play Station Fiesta Bowl?
Well, first of all the Knights are on somewhat of a winning streak, having taken down their last 25 opponents in a row, including the Auburn Tigers in last year’s Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl.
Secondly, the Knights, and their fan base, feel disrespected because they have not been given the shot at the College Football Playoff semi-finals. In fact, UCF decided to hang their own de-facto National Championship banner after going 13-0 last year.
Game time is set for 12 noon.
Despite those factors, LSU head coach Ed Orgeron and his band of Tigers are saying just what needs to be said heading into the 50th bowl appearance for the flagship state university.
“What an honor for our football team,” Orgeron said. “Our team deserved the very best reward at the end of the season that was possible. We feel that we got that with a chance to play in the Fiesta Bowl. What a prestigious matchup on New Year’s Day in a New Year’s Six Bowl against UCF.”
Orgeron went on to re-iterate the job UCF has done over the last two seasons and the fact that his team will be ready to face the challenge before them.
“Coach Josh Heupel has done a tremendous job,” Orgeron said of the first-year UCF coach. “They have a 25-game winning streak. This is going to be a challenge for our football team. It’s a great match-up. We are highly motivated. This is where our team wanted to go. When the possibilities to going to certain bowls came out, our team wanted to go to the Fiesta Bowl. We respect UCF. We are going to be highly motivated.”
LSU comes into the game with an overall record of 9-3 after falling to Texas A&M in a seven overtime 74-72 thriller. The Tigers were 5-3 overall in Southeastern Conference play.
LSU is led by quarterback Joe Burrow, who has thrown for 2,500 yards on the season and 12 touchdowns. Burrow has completed 57.4 percent of his passes and averages 208.3 yards per game.
Leading all Tiger rushers with 982 yards on 211 carries is Nick Brosette. The senior also has 14 rushing touchdowns on the year.
Right behind Brosette are Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Burrow, who have 640 and 559 yards on the ground respectfully.
The leading receiver for LSU is Justin Jefferson who has caught 50 passes for 788 yards and four touchdowns.
Defensively, the Tigers are led by Butkus Award winner Devin White. The senior linebacker has collected 115 tackles on the year, with 12 of those being tackles for loss. White also has three sacks and two forced fumbles.
LSU will be without two of their better defensive players for the game, as cornerback Greedy Williams and defensive lineman Ed Alexander have declared for the NFL and will not participate in the game.
UCF, an American Athletic Conference participant, was perfect in conference play, including a 62-55 win over Memphis in the conference championship game. The Knights average 44.2 points per game on offense.
UCF will be without the services of AAC Player of the year McKenzie Milton, who suffered a terrible leg injury against USF. So, the Knights will have to rely on back up quarterback Darriel Mack.
Mack, who took over in the conference championship game has thrown for 552 yards and five touchdowns on the year.
Leading the ground game is Greg McCrae, who has 1,101 yards and nine touchdowns. The Knights have a ton of talent in the receiving department, led by Gabriel Davis, who has 756 yards on 50 catches.
Defensively, UCF holds opponents to 21.2 points per game. Sophomore defensive back Richie Grant led all Knight defenders with 102 tackles and six interceptions. Grant also has three tackles for loss and three forced fumbles.
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TRACEY JAGNEAUX Sports Editor