After weeks of preparation, LSU and UCF will finally play each other Tuesday in the Fiesta Bowl. The Knights bring a 25-game winning streak into the contest and an offense that averages 44 points a game. But Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron says you can’t overlook UCF’s defense led by defensive coordinator Randy Shannon.
“He’s a 4-3, cover one guy, they do a great job of pressing and rerouting (the receivers), they play great fundamental ball, they tackle and they play for 60 minutes,” said Orgeron.
Last year, UCF upset Auburn in the Peach Bowl 34-27. Some say Auburn wasn’t ready to play after losing in the SEC Title game. But LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says his guys are focused and desperately want to win.
“We’ve had 100% attendance at every curfew, everybody has been early to meetings, the awareness level of competition is going to take to win this football game, this is going to be a battle,” said Orgeron.
LSU enters the game with a 9-3 record. Orgeron says the seven overtime loss to Texas A&M in the regular season finale also serves as motivation in this game.
“If you’re a competitor, there’s a motivation to go out on the field and do it again,” said Orgeron. “It’s like riding a bike man, you get knocked off a bike you want to get back on and ride that’s the way we want to approach it.”
Kick-off on New Year’s Day is at noon.
