Pick up The Daily Reveille’s special ’Bama issue on Friday.
Sports
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
FOOTBALL
Jordan Jefferson returns to jail
page 5
Tyler Nunez Sports Contributor
A judge ordered former LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson back to jail on Tuesday, and this time he may be there for a while. District Judge Chip Moore ordered that Jefferson report to jail at 2 p.m. Tuesday, as well as undergo a substance abuse evaluation. The order came after Moore ruled that Jefferson’s arrest last week on drug charges was a violation of his bond agreement related to his arrest last year. “We expected this,” said Lance Unglesby, Jefferson’s lawyer. “Jordan does not see himself as above the process, and this is a process universally applied by Judge Moore.” Jefferson was arrested and charged with simple battery in 2011 for his involvement in a fight at Shady’s Bar. According to reports by WAFB, Jefferson may have to remain in jail until his next court hearing on Dec. 12, but could be released sooner after undergoing a personal evaluation. “Jordan is a very humble, fine young man and looks forward to the day when all of this is behind him,” Unglesby said. Contact Tyler Nunez at tnunez@lsureveille.com
The Humble Tiger NICK DE LA TORRE / The Associated Press
LSU linebacker Kevin Minter forces Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel to scramble and throw an incomplete pass during the game Oct. 20 in College Station, Texas.
Alex Cassara
Minter gaining national attention, awards as Alabama awaits
Sports Writer
A daunting playbook. A competitive corps. A lack of confidence. Looking back at his time as a Tiger, junior linebacker Kevin Minter finds himself in the middle of a surreal season. “It’s like, man, I just walked on campus and now, I’m being spoken about on ESPN,” Minter said. “It’s a feeling you can’t describe. It’s crazy. I was just on the
FOOTBALL
Home wins vs. Bama still a new commodity Chris Abshire Sports Writer
From the first man on the moon to the new millennium — that’s how long LSU went without beating Alabama in Tiger Stadium. Between LSU wins in 1969 and 2000, the Crimson Tide went 14-01 in Baton Rouge, often ending the Tigers’ Southeastern Conference championship dreams in a crushing fashion. “It was a really strange thing,” said Jim Hawthorne, longtime LSU director of broadcasting. “It didn’t seem to matter how good Alabama was or whether LSU may have been better. There was no rhyme or reason to why they always seemed to win.” Spanning 10 combined coaches, three decades and two stadium
bench the other day.” To be fair, he’s not exactly fresh off the bench, but that must be the modesty talking. Minter started in 11 of LSU’s 14 games last season, ranking fifth on the team in tackles. Still, he never quite reached the level his teammates thought possible. A 20-tackle game was more like it. Minter caught the nation’s collective eye with his record-setting performance against Florida a month ago and he’s continued to
produce since, racking up national awards and the notoriety that comes with them. And as the heart of LSU’s defense, Minter is coming along at just the right time with Alabama looming. “I always knew he had it in him,” said junior safety Eric Reid. “He just had to show the world.” That transition was necessary, Reid said, for both of them. Bunking together during fall camp, Reid and Minter grew close. Both were inheriting the leadership post of their respective
positions. They would sit in their room and discuss their new roles. They were now the ones who had to set the example. They were now the ones tasked with teaching. But for Minter, it doesn’t seem that long ago that he was being coddled. Coming into LSU from Peachtree Ridge as Scout. com’s No. 4 middle linebacker, he quickly realized he wasn’t in Suwanee, Ga., anymore. Defensive coordinator John MINTER, see page 7
Who will win 2013 NBA Title? MIC’D UP MICAH BEDARD Sports Columnist
renovations, Alabama outscored LSU 343-161 — an average score of 23-10 — in those 15 games. The road tradition has continued even into this millennium, though LSU has largely flipped the script. The home team has won just six of the last 16 meetings, with the Tigers claiming four of those six victories. In fact, the home team has only won 42 percent of games in the series, excluding ties. Alabama holds a 24-9-2 advantage against LSU in Baton Rouge. In light of LSU’s ongoing 22game home winning streak, senior offensive lineman Josh Dworaczyk said he couldn’t fathom going 30 years without beating a team in Tiger Stadium.
The best part about football season is basketball is looming right around the corner. After being robbed of a full slate of games last season due to the lockout, NBA diehards like me couldn’t wait for the 2012-2013 campaign to get underway last night. Only three contests were on the docket Tuesday, but the majority of teams play their first of 82 games tonight instead of going trick-or-treating. The NBA is different from all other professional sports leagues because it’s so top heavy. Mediocrity is the worst place to be. Just ask the Atlanta Hawks. Once again this season, there are only a few teams who have what it takes to challenge the defending
BAMA, see page 7
NBA, see page 6
MARK J. TERRILL / The Associated Press
The L.A. Lakers look on during their preseason NBA game Oct. 21 in Los Angeles. Who will win the NBA title this year? Answer the poll at lsureveille.com.