Louisiana mayors convene in Baton Rouge to discuss budgets, p. 3
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The Daily
Volume 115, Issue 34
www.lsureveille.com
Florida quarterbacks prepare to take on LSU, p. 5 Friday, Oct. 8, 2010
Higher Education Blues
More than 300 faculty, students attend ‘jazz funeral’ as protest against decline of higher education
A somber jazz funeral march of more students to attend the event. than 300 faculty and students Thursday carProudStudents co-founder and biology ried coffins and signs mourning the “death of and philosophy senior Bradley Wood said he higher education.” was impressed with the turnA New Orleans-style out. Catherine Threlkeld jazz band rallied spectators “We weren’t sure if it was Staff Writer to join the march around going to happen,” Wood said. the Parade Ground with songs like “When “I think it’s going to do the job to bring attenthe Saints Go Marching In” and a solemn tion to people watching the news and people version of the Alma Mater. on campus.” Protesters carried signs for LSUnited, Wood said ProudStudents is planning the new proposed faculty union, and mem- a protest Nov. 10 at the State Capitol, but it bers of the student-run grassroots organization ProudStudents rallied a couple hundred FUNERAL, see page 12
photos by ZACH BREAUX / The Daily Reveille
[Top] University students and faculty members march Thursday in the “jazz funeral” procession held on the Parade Ground in conjunction with the National Day to Defend Public Education. [Below] A coffin carried by protesters reads “RIP EDUCATION.”
FOOTBALL
LSU heads to Gainesville for ‘must-win’ game against Florida Gator defense leads nation in interceptions Sean Isabella Sports Writer
Sometimes things on paper aren’t necessarily a reliable measuring stick in the world of sports. But for the No. 12 LSU football program, paper is everything. With a record boldly stating 5-0, LSU coach Les Miles and his team have spent the last week dealing with an ambush of national media criticism following last weekend’s clock mismanagement against Tennessee.
Facts are facts, and LSU is still heading into Saturday’s Southeastern Conference showdown at 6:30 p.m. against Florida with its unblemished record and a chance to silence its critics. “We’re just looking forward to it,” said LSU junior quarterback Jarrett Lee. “It’s a big-time game, and we’re excited. We’re undefeated. It may not look the best, but on paper 5-0 is 5-0.” LSU is back in a familiar situation this week as it has been in years past, traveling to “the Swamp” as a highly ranked team with an undefeated record. The Tigers haven’t figured out how to beat the Gators in Gainesville, Fla., recently, having not won a game there since a 24-21
win in 2004. “This is a must-win for this program,” said junior cornerback Patrick Peterson. “People are still talking about how inexperienced we are, but we’ll go in there and believe, hopefully get a victory and momentum to the back half of the season.” There is reason to believe this year could in fact be different. In its previous two meetings with Florida, the LSU defense struggled to defend former All-American Tim Tebow. Tebow is gone, and his predecessor John Brantley is fresh off a two-interception game against Alabama. Brantley suffered a rib FLORIDA, see page 12
ZACH BREAUX / The Daily Reveille
LSU junior running back Stevan Ridley runs off tackle Saturday during the Tigers’ 16-14 win against Tennessee. Ridley is the SEC’s leading rusher this season.