lsu vs tulane

lsu vs tulane BATON ROUGE - There's nothing like a new outfit to cure the blahs.
And with No. 2 LSU (4-0) off to one of its greatest seasons ever and Tulane (1-2) in the doldrums again and a 39-point underdog, this once-bold rivalry is turning to fashion for its 11 a.m. ESPN2 game on Saturday.

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Through an agreement with Nike designed to help with Hurricane Katrina recovery in New Orleans, the Tigers for the first time anywhere will be wearing white helmets, purple jerseys and white pants. LSU has worn those three at various times over the years but never as part of the same ensemble.

Tulane will look unique as well in green helmets, white jerseys and white pants. Nike donated both sets of uniforms to the two schools. Both style jerseys have never been worn as Nike has introduced a set of limited edition jerseys with a special emblem for the state bird of Louisiana, the pelican. It also resembles the Phoenix, a symbol of New Orleans' rebirth.
Game day and other sales of the jersey and other Nike apparel across the country will go toward Nike's "Let Me Play" New Orleans fund aimed at the youth of the city.

LSU's players, who usually wear gold pants, white jerseys and gold helmets in purple trim, are extremely excited about the wardrobe adjustment.

"Ooh, they look pretty sweet," LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey said. "I'm hoping I'm looking a little slimmer, a little nimble. And I'm looking forward to wearing those white helmets."

There was talk of LSU wearing retro or different uniforms last season for the Tulane game in Tiger Stadium, but it didn't happen.

"We're all excited about it," cornerback Chevis Jackson said. "We thought we'd be getting new ones last year. It's different. That's why everyone's excited about wearing them."

These are not retro or throw-back uniforms, but the new digs have created a runway buzz.

"These guys love it when the NFL teams were the retro uniforms," Miles said. "They've been looking forward to this since we told them during camp."

LSU also has more than a dozen players from the New Orleans area.

"I know our guys are pretty excited about it and know it represents a cause, a cause close to their hearts," Miles said. "It helps bring awareness to rebuilding New Orleans. We want to participate in every way. We look forward to this game."

LSU equipment manager Greg Stringfellow wanted to make it clear that the new uniforms are not retro.

"They're not throw-back," he said. "This has never been done."

The LSU-Tulane rivalry needs some spicing up. The Tigers have won 15 in a row going back to 1983 and in only two of those games was Tulane within a touchdown. Meanwhile, LSU has not had a losing season this decade while winning a national championship and two Southeastern Conference championships compared to four straight losing seasons by the Wave.

"You still have to see it as a rivalry," said LSU defensive end Tyson Jackson of West St. John High in Edgard, which is just outside New Orleans. "You don't want to see it not as a rivalry because they could upset you and ruin your season. You have to look at it as being for bragging rights."

LSU will be playing Tulane in New Orleans for the first time since 1994.

BATON ROUGE - There's nothing like a new outfit to cure the blahs.
And with No. 2 LSU (4-0) off to one of its greatest seasons ever and Tulane (1-2) in the doldrums again and a 39-point underdog, this once-bold rivalry is turning to fashion for its 11 a.m. ESPN2 game on Saturday.

ADVERTISEMENT

Through an agreement with Nike designed to help with Hurricane Katrina recovery in New Orleans, the Tigers for the first time anywhere will be wearing white helmets, purple jerseys and white pants. LSU has worn those three at various times over the years but never as part of the same ensemble.

Tulane will look unique as well in green helmets, white jerseys and white pants. Nike donated both sets of uniforms to the two schools. Both style jerseys have never been worn as Nike has introduced a set of limited edition jerseys with a special emblem for the state bird of Louisiana, the pelican. It also resembles the Phoenix, a symbol of New Orleans' rebirth.
Game day and other sales of the jersey and other Nike apparel across the country will go toward Nike's "Let Me Play" New Orleans fund aimed at the youth of the city.

LSU's players, who usually wear gold pants, white jerseys and gold helmets in purple trim, are extremely excited about the wardrobe adjustment.

"Ooh, they look pretty sweet," LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey said. "I'm hoping I'm looking a little slimmer, a little nimble. And I'm looking forward to wearing those white helmets."

There was talk of LSU wearing retro or different uniforms last season for the Tulane game in Tiger Stadium, but it didn't happen.

"We're all excited about it," cornerback Chevis Jackson said. "We thought we'd be getting new ones last year. It's different. That's why everyone's excited about wearing them."

These are not retro or throw-back uniforms, but the new digs have created a runway buzz.

"These guys love it when the NFL teams were the retro uniforms," Miles said. "They've been looking forward to this since we told them during camp."

LSU also has more than a dozen players from the New Orleans area.

"I know our guys are pretty excited about it and know it represents a cause, a cause close to their hearts," Miles said. "It helps bring awareness to rebuilding New Orleans. We want to participate in every way. We look forward to this game."

LSU equipment manager Greg Stringfellow wanted to make it clear that the new uniforms are not retro.

"They're not throw-back," he said. "This has never been done."

The LSU-Tulane rivalry needs some spicing up. The Tigers have won 15 in a row going back to 1983 and in only two of those games was Tulane within a touchdown. Meanwhile, LSU has not had a losing season this decade while winning a national championship and two Southeastern Conference championships compared to four straight losing seasons by the Wave.

"You still have to see it as a rivalry," said LSU defensive end Tyson Jackson of West St. John High in Edgard, which is just outside New Orleans. "You don't want to see it not as a rivalry because they could upset you and ruin your season. You have to look at it as being for bragging rights."

LSU will be playing Tulane in New Orleans for the first time since 1994.