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Pelini Remained Focused On Tigers

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By JOEY JOHNSTON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 8, 2008

Updated: 01/08/2008 12:45 am

NEW ORLEANS - Monday night's BCS Championship Game was the final game at LSU for defensive coordinator Bo Pelini, who can now devote all his energy to being the new head coach at Nebraska.

Although his time had been split between Nebraska recruiting and LSU game preparation for facing Ohio State, Pelini never considered leaving the Tigers before their season ended.

"We've been through too much together," Pelini said. "We're committed to getting this thing finished and doing it the right way. There was no hesitation on my part. And I know my guys wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

"These championship opportunities don't roll around very often. I've never done anything half-in in my entire life."

Pelini, a former Ohio State free safety, played in the 1990 Hall of Fame Bowl at the old Tampa Stadium, a 31-14 loss to Auburn that was the Buckeyes' second loss to an SEC team in the school's nine-game losing streak in bowl games against that conference.

PRESSURE PLAY: Before the game, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said it would be vital to protect junior QB Todd Boeckman. The Buckeyes were generally good in the first half, but when it began to break down, LSU took advantage.

Boeckman, with pass-rushers in his face, was intercepted by Chevis Jackson on a deep sideline toss. Later in the second quarter, he was sandwiched by a pair of defensive linemen and fumbled in Buckeye territory, but it was recovered by G Steve Rehring.

"The most important thing to give a quarterback a chance to succeed is protection," Tressel said. "Without it, you have less time to make good decisions and it's more difficult to be efficient.

"What's the one thing we need to do? Make sure we do a good job protecting."

FAMILIAR FACES: Former Florida State QB Chris Weinke and former Florida QB Danny Wuerffel, along with former Pittsburgh RB Tony Dorsett, participated in the pregame ceremonial coin toss.

All three former players won the Heisman Trophy and won national-championship games at the Superdome. Weinke's Seminoles defeated Virginia Tech in 2000; Wuerffel's Gators beat FSU in 1997; and Dorsett's Panthers downed Georgia in 1977.

Weinke also took time to visit the Cat's Meow, a popular Bourbon Street karaoke hangout. When the Seminoles beat the Hokies in 2000, Weinke was spotted there in the wee hours, jamming to "We Are The Champions."

ODDS AND ENDS: Ohio State's early 10-point lead matched the largest deficit LSU faced all season (three times, against Florida, Auburn and Alabama, all victories). ... The 65-yard first-quarter touchdown run by Ohio State's Chris "Beanie" Wells was the longest in a BCS title game, breaking the record of 64 yards by LSU's Justin Vincent in the 2004 Sugar Bowl against Oklahoma. ... In the second quarter, Wells surpassed Archie Griffin's Ohio State record for rushing by a sophomore (1,577). ... LSU opens next season with a pair of home games - North Texas (Aug. 30) and Troy (Sept. 6) - before heading to Auburn on Sept. 20. Ohio State opens next season with a pair of home games - Youngstown State (Aug. 30) and Ohio (Sept. 6) - before heading to Southern Cal on Sept. 13. ... Next season's BCS Championship Game is scheduled for Jan. 8, 2009, in Miami.

Joey Johnston

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