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Joiner Draws Taunts From LSU Fans

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 7, 2007

Updated: 10/07/2007 01:15 am

BATON ROUGE, La. - As Florida's three captains gathered at midfield before Saturday night's kickoff, Tony Joiner stood alone on the 45-yard line, orange helmet in his left hand, gazing intently at the scene before him.

Florida coach Urban Meyer stripped Joiner of his captaincy earlier in the week after he was arrested for allegedly trying to take his girlfriend's towed car out of an impound lot early Tuesday morning.

Although the felony charges were dropped Friday, Joiner was replaced by Dorian Munroe as starting strong safety, but only for LSU's first possession.

Joiner reclaimed his spot on the Tigers' second offensive possession, and the senior made his presence known when he recorded the first tackle of the series.

Joiner played inconspicuously, but LSU fans didn't let the safety live down the incident.

Throughout campus, Tigers fans displayed hand-painted signs from their tailgate tents with phrases reading, 'Joiner stole my car,' 'Dude, where's my car?' and 'Tony Joiner owes me $76,' referring to the towing fee.

Florida players were more sympathetic to their teammate.

During pregame warm-ups, Joiner kept to himself on the outside of the team's activities.

However, before the Gators huddled and headed into the locker room, several Florida players took turns interacting with their former captain.

Cornerback Moses Jenkins hugged Joiner, defensive tackle Brandon Antwine patted him on the rear and defensive end Derrick Harvey performed an elaborate handshake with Joiner.

The encouragement didn't stop there.

When freshman Joe Haden intercepted Ryan Perrilloux's pass in the first quarter, the cornerback ran full speed to Florida's sideline, jumped in the air and side-bumped Joiner in celebration.

MIKE DEBUTS: The game's biggest star wasn't a player, but rather a tiger.

Mike VI, LSU's beloved live mascot, made his game debut in Death Valley as 'Eye of the Tiger' blared from the stadium's speakers.

Mike remained pretty mellow and hardly moved from his reclined position as he was carted around the perimeter of the field in a yellow cage towed by a white truck, with LSU cheerleaders on top of the cage's roof.

The tiger, formerly named Roscoe, succeeded Mike V, who died at age 17 in May from renal failure.

Although LSU fans hold Mike the Tiger in high regard, Gators fans weren't so kind. One fan held up a sign during ESPN's 'College GameDay' that read, 'Albert ate Mike V.'

The 2-year-old, 300-pound tiger could weigh as much as 700 pounds by adulthood, and he lives in a 15,000-square-foot habitat, which boasts a waterfall, bathing pool and fresh greenery.

Mike VI was supposed to make his game debut before LSU's matchup against South Carolina on Sept. 22, but Mike's caretaker changed his mind because of heat issues.

The tradition of Mike the Tiger has even made an impression on Florida players.

'You can't help but notice that big lion they've got right when you get off the bus,' senior Andre Caldwell said.

ETC: QB Tim Tebow broke his school record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a season when he broke into the end zone late in the second quarter. The touchdown was the sophomore's ninth this season. ... The Gators managed to squeak by the first half without a charged penalty. Florida drew two flags, but one was declined and the other was offset by an LSU infraction. The Gators were charged with their first penalty of the game with 8:40 remaining in the third quarter, when Haden was called for pass interference.

Jenna Marina

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