# 2009 LSU Tigers football team

The 2009 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head coach was Les Miles who served his fifth year at the helm of LSU football. They played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tigers finished the season 9–4, 5–3 in SEC play, including a loss in the Capital One Bowl, 19–17, against Penn State.

## Previous season

In his fourth season as head coach, Les Miles led LSU to a regular season record of 7–5, finishing 3–5 in the SEC. The Tigers were awarded a berth in the 2008 Chick-fil-A Bowl where they faced Georgia Tech. The Tigers easily defeated the Yellow Jackets by a score of 38–3. Miles improved to 4–0 in bowl games as head coach of LSU. LSU completed the 2008 college football season with an 8–5 overall record. The bowl victory also marked the 700th win in LSU Tiger football history. The Tigers look to improve on their 8–5 season in 2009.

## Before the season
### Coaching changes

Following the 2008 season, co-defensive coordinators, Doug Mallory & Bradley Dale Peveto both left LSU. Mallory moved on to New Mexico to become defensive coordinator of the Lobos' football program, while Peveto took over as the head coach of the Northwestern State Demons. The Tigers replaced Mallory and Peveto with new defensive coordinator John Chavis, who left the University of Tennessee after the departure of head coach Phillip Fulmer. Chavis was a Tennessee alum and held the position of defensive coordinator there since 1995. Chavis will also coach linebackers at LSU.
Ron Cooper was hired as the new defensive backs coach. Previously, Mallory had coached the defensive backs since 2005. Cooper came to LSU from the University of South Carolina where he spent the past five years coaching on the defensive side of the football.
Earl Lane also left LSU following the 2008. Lane spent 3 seasons as defensive line coach at LSU, but decided it was time to move on. Lane was replaced by Brick Haley. Haley was brought aboard as a veteran defensive line coach who has spent time in both the NFL and the Southeastern Conference.
Finally, Josh Henson, who left to become co-offensive line coach for Missouri, was replaced by Don Yanowsky. Henson came to LSU with Miles in 2005 and served as the Tight Ends coach and recruiting coordinator for the Tigers. Henson has a reputation as of being one of the best recruiters in the nation. Yanowsky will also serve as the Tight Ends coach and Recruiting coordinator, and comes to LSU from Boston College.

### Key losses

Offense
* Demetrius Byrd, WR Drafted in the 7th round of the 2009 NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers.
* Brett Helms, C Signed with the Houston Texans as a rookie free agent.
* Quinn Johnson, FB Drafted in the 5th round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers.
* Herman Johnson, OG Drafted in the 5th round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals.
Defense
* Darry Beckwith, LB Signed with the San Diego Chargers as a rookie free agent.
* Marlon Favorite, DT Signed with the Carolina Panthers as a rookie free agent.
* Tyson Jackson, DL Drafted 3rd overall in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.
* Ricky Jean-Francois, DT Drafted in the 7th round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers.
* Kirston Pittman, DE Signed with the St. Louis Rams as a rookie free agent, but later released with an injury settlement
* Curtis Taylor, S Drafted in the 7th round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers.
Special teams
* Colt David, PK All-time scoring leader for the LSU Tigers.

### Returning starters

| Player | Class | Position |
| Joseph Barksdale | Junior | Offensive Tackle |
| Ciron Black | Senior | Offensive Tackle |
| Richard Dickson | Senior | Tight End |
| Lyle Hitt | Senior | Offensive Guard |
| Brandon LaFell | Senior | Wide Receiver |
| Charles Scott | Senior | Running Back |
| Player | Class | Position |
| Charles Alexander | Senior | Defensive tackle |
| Harry Coleman | Senior | Linebacker/Safety |
| Chad Jones | Junior | Safety |
| Patrick Peterson | Sophomore | Cornerback |
| Perry Riley | Senior | Linebacker |
| Kelvin Sheppard | Junior | Linebacker |

### 2009 recruiting class

College recruiting information (2009) :
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | 40$^‡$ | Commit date |
| Carneal Ainsworth OL | Baton Rouge, LA | Parkview Baptist High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 296 lb (134 kg) | 5.2 | Jun 11, 2008 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 78 |||||||
| Domimique Allen FB | Paris, TN | Henry County High School | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 250 lb (110 kg) | | Nov 16, 2008 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 78 |||||||
| Lamin Barrow LB | Marrero, LA | John Ehret High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 209 lb (95 kg) | 4.65 | Nov 20, 2008 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 76 |||||||
| Michael Brockers DE | Houston, TX | Cesar E. Chavez High School | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 260 lb (120 kg) | 5.00 | Feb 22, 2008 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 79 |||||||
| Drayton Calhoun ATH | Tucker, GA | Tucker High School | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 4.48 | Feb 26, 2008 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 81 |||||||
| Morris Claiborne ATH | Shreveport, LA | Fair Park High School | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 4.45 | Nov 11, 2008 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 80 |||||||
| Chris Davenport DT | Mansfield, LA | Mansfield High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 318 lb (144 kg) | 5.14 | Jan 23, 2008 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 83 |||||||
| Joshua Downs DT | Bastrop, LA | Bastrop High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 270 lb (120 kg) | | Feb 23, 2008 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 83 |||||||
| Chris Faulk OT | Slidell, LA | North Shore High School | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 305 lb (138 kg) | 4.9 | May 21, 2008 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 75 |||||||
| Michael Ford RB | Leesville, LA | Leesville High School | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 4.5 | Feb 22, 2008 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 81 |||||||
| Chris Garrett QB | Tupelo, MS | Tupelo High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 222 lb (101 kg) | 4.9 | Mar 26, 2008 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 78 |||||||
| Derek Helton K | Hoyt, KS | Fort Scott Community College | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | | Nov 14, 2008 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: N/A |||||||
| Akiem Hicks DT | Elk Grove, CA | Sacramento City College | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 300 lb (140 kg) | 4.89 | Nov 9, 2008 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: N/A |||||||
| Josh Johns S | Baton Rouge, LA | Central High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | 4.5 | Feb 4, 2009 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 77 |||||||
| Tahj Jones LB | Sulphur, LA | Sulphur High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 4.6 | Feb 2, 2009 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 78 |||||||
| Bennie Logan DE | Coushatta, LA | Red River High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | 4.7 | Jan 26, 2009 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 76 |||||||
| Craig Loston S | Aldine, TX | Dwight D. Eisenhower High School | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 193 lb (88 kg) | 4.5 | Jan 2, 2009 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 90 |||||||
| Stavion Lowe OG | Brownsville, TX | Brownsville High School | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 294 lb (133 kg) | 5.0 | Jul 13, 2008 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 81 |||||||
| Barkevious Mingo LB | West Monroe, LA | West Monroe High School | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | 4.5 | Feb 4, 2009 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 78 |||||||
| Kevin Minter LB | Suwanee, GA | Peachtree Ridge High School | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | 4.6 | Apr 5, 2008 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 81 |||||||
| Sam Montgomery DE | Greenwood, SC | Greenwood High School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | 4.4 | Feb 4, 2009 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 84 |||||||
| Rueben Randle WR | Bastrop, LA | Bastrop High School | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 4.5 | Feb 4, 2009 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 86 |||||||
| Russell Shepard ATH | Houston, TX | Cypress Ridge High School | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | | Mar 3, 2009 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 92 |||||||
| Josh Willford OG | Dothan, AL | Houston High School | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | 345 lb (156 kg) | 5.27 | Jul 18, 2009 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 75 |||||||
| Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 3 Rivals: 2 ESPN: 1 |||||||
| ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "2009 Player Signees- LSU". ESPN.com. "2009 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. |||||||

### Spring game

The Tigers held their annual spring game on Saturday April 18, 2009. LSU White defeated LSU Purple 27–0.

### Pre-season All-SEC honors

* Rahim Alem, third-team DL
* Charles Alexander, second-team DL
* Ciron Black, first-team OL
* Richard Dickson, first-team TE
* Trindon Holiday, third-team RS
* Chad Jones, second-team DB
* Brandon Lafell, second-team WR
* Perry Riley, third-team LB
* Charles Scott, first-team RB
* Terrance Toliver, third-team WR

### Pre-season watch lists

* Rahim alem – 2009 Ted Hendricks Award and Bednarik Award Watch Lists
* Ciron black – 2009 Outland Trophy Watch List
* Richard dickson – 2009 John Mackey Award Watch List
* Jordan Jefferson – 2009 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award Watch List
* Brandon lafell – 2009 Biletnikoff Award and Maxwell Award Watch Lists
* Charles scott – 2009 Doak Walker Award and Maxwell Award Watch Lists

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 5 | 9:30 p.m. | at Washington* | No. 11 | Husky StadiumSeattle, WA | ESPN | W 31–23 | 69,161 |
| September 12 | 6:00 p.m. | Vanderbilt | No. 11 | Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, LA | ESPNU | W 23–9 | 91,566 |
| September 19 | 6:00 p.m. | Louisiana-Lafayette* | No. 9 | Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, LA | ESPNU | W 31–3 | 92,443 |
| September 26 | 11:21 a.m. | at Mississippi State | No. 7 | Davis Wade StadiumStarkville, MS (rivalry) | SECN | W 30–26 | 53,612 |
| October 3 | 2:30 p.m. | at No. 14 Georgia | No. 4 | Sanford StadiumAthens, GA | CBS | W 20–13 | 92,746 |
| October 10 | 7:00 p.m. | No. 1 Florida | No. 4 | Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, LA (rivalry) (College GameDay) | CBS | L 3–13 | 93,129 |
| October 24 | 6:30 p.m. | Auburn | No. 9 | Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, LA (Tiger Bowl) | ESPN2 | W 31–10 | 92,654 |
| October 31 | 7:00 p.m. | Tulane* | No. 9 | Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, LA (Battle for the Rag) | PPV | W 42–0 | 92,031 |
| November 7 | 2:30 p.m. | at No. 3 Alabama | No. 9 | Bryant–Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL (rivalry) | CBS | L 15–24 | 92,012 |
| November 14 | 6:00 p.m. | Louisiana Tech* | No. 9 | Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, LA | ESPNU | W 24–16 | 92,584 |
| November 21 | 2:30 p.m. | at Ole Miss | No. 10 | Vaught–Hemingway StadiumOxford, MS (Magnolia Bowl) | CBS | L 23–25 | 61,752 |
| November 28 | 6:00 p.m. | Arkansas | No. 17 | Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, LA (Battle for the Golden Boot) | ESPN | W 33–30 $^{OT}$ | 93,013 |
| January 1, 2010 | 1:00 p.m. | vs. No. 11 Penn State* | No. 13 | Citrus BowlOrlando, FL (Capital One Bowl) | ABC | L 17–19 | 63,025 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the gameAll times are in Central time ||||||||

## Game summaries
### Washington

Pregame Line: -18.5
| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Tigers | 10 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
| Huskies | 7 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 23 |

### Vanderbilt

Pregame Line: -14
| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Commodores | 0 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 9 |
| Tigers | 7 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 23 |

### Louisiana-Lafayette

Pregame Line: -27
* LSU improved to 22–0 all-time against the Ragin Cajuns.
| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Ragin Cajuns | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Tigers | 7 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 31 |

### Mississippi St.

Pregame Line: -12.5
* LSU has now beaten Mississippi State 10 straight times.
| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Tigers | 13 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 30 |
| Bulldogs | 14 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 26 |

### #14 Georgia

Pregame Line: +3.5
* LSU beats Georgia in Athens for the first time since 1987.
| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Tigers | 3 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 20 |
| Bulldogs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 13 |

### #1 Florida

Pregame Line: +10
* Largest crowd ever in Tiger Stadium
| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Gators | 3 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
| Tigers | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |

### Auburn

Pregame Line: -7.5
* LSU beats Auburn for the third straight year.
* Marks the start of the longest active home winning streak in college football.
| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Auburn | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
| LSU | 14 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 31 |

### Tulane

Pregame Line: -36.5
* LSU beats the Green Wave for the 18th straight time.
| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Green Wave | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tigers | 14 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 42 |

### #3 Alabama

Pregame Line: +7
* The win marks the first time the Crimson Tide have beaten the Tigers in Tuscaloosa since 1999.
| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Tigers | 0 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 15 |
| Crimson Tide | 0 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 24 |

### Louisiana Tech

Pregame Line: -23
* With the win, LSU improved to 18–1 all-time against Louisiana Tech.
| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bulldogs | 3 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 16 |
| Tigers | 10 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 24 |

### Ole Miss

Pregame Line: +4.5
* LSU has lost to a Houston Nutt coached team 3 straight times (Arkansas 2007, Ole Miss 2008 & 2009).
| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Tigers | 14 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 23 |
| Rebels | 6 | 9 | 0 | 10 | 25 |

### Arkansas

Pregame Line: -4
* LSU defeats the Razorbacks for the first time since 2006. The only bright spot for Arkansas is that they were the only team to outscore LSU in the third quarter this year.
| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Razorbacks | 3 | 3 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 30 |
| Tigers | 10 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 33 |

### Penn State–Capital One Bowl

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Nittany Lions | 7 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 19 |
| Tigers | 0 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 17 |

## Rankings

Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
| AP | 11 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 17 |
| Coaches | 9 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 17 |
| Harris | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | 4 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 16 | 14 | 13 | Not released |
| BCS | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 15 | 13 | 12 | Not released |

## Roster

2009 Louisiana State University Football Roster and Bios http://www.lsusports.net/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=5200&SPID=2164&SPSID=27812 Archived 2009-08-29 at the Wayback Machine

## Coaching staff

| Name | Title | First Year at LSU | Alma Mater |
| Les Miles | Head coach | 2005 | Michigan (1976) |
| Gary Crowton | Offensive coordinator | 2007 | BYU (1983) |
| John Chavis | Defensive coordinator | 2009 | Tennessee (1979) |
| Don Yanowsky | Tight ends coach/recruiting coordinator | 2009 | University of Toledo (1980) |
| Brick Haley | Defensive line coach | 2009 | Alabama A&M University (1989) |
| Ron Cooper | Defensive backs coach | 2009 | Jacksonville State University (1983) |
| D.J. McCarthy | Wide receivers coach | 2007 | Washington (1994) |
| Joe Robinson | Special teams coordinator | 2008 | Louisiana State University (1985) |
| Larry Porter | Asst. head coach/running backs/special teams | 2005 | Memphis (1996) |
| Greg Studrawa | Offensive line coach | 2007 | Bowling Green (1987) |
| Tommy Moffitt | Strength and conditioning coordinator | 2000 | Tennessee Tech (1986) |
2009 Louisiana State University Football Coaches and Bios http://www.lsusports.net/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=5200&SPID=2164&SPSID=28715 Archived 2013-04-07 at the Wayback Machine

## LSU Tigers in the 2010 National Football League Draft

| Player | Position | Round | Pick | Overall | NFL Team |
| Chad Jones | Defensive back | 3 | 12 | 76 | New York Giants |
| Brandon LaFell | Wide receiver | 3 | 14 | 78 | Carolina Panthers |
| Perry Riley | Linebacker | 4 | 5 | 103 | Washington Redskins |
| Al Woods | Defensive tackle | 4 | 25 | 123 | New Orleans Saints |
| Trindon Holliday | Wide receiver | 6 | 28 | 197 | Houston Texans |
| Charles Scott | Running back | 6 | 31 | 200 | Philadelphia Eagles |
Source: