Tag: The Advocate

LSU beat reporter had a hilarious exchange with Brian Kelly about being late

The back-and-forth has made the rounds on social media this week.

It only took one game at the helm for LSU coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] to go viral once again.

This is nothing new for Kelly, who has already become a bit of a larger-than-life character since arriving in Baton Rouge with his affected southern accent and turntable dancing videos.

After the Tigers’ season-opening loss to Florida State, Kelly called out The Advocate beat writer Leah Vann for “being late,” joking that she owed him $10.

“Maybe if you won, I’d be on time,” Vann snapped back.

A clip of the funny exchange made the rounds on social media over the last two days.

Vann provided more context on Twitter, and though it can be hard to tell with Kelly’s, shall we say, dry delivery, it seems the exchange was a joke and both Vann and Kelly smoothed things over after the fact.

I’m just going to put this out there: I’m officially taking a “pro-riffing” stance between coaches and members of the media. Give me more of this.

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Report: LSU safety facing four-game academic suspension

The Advocate’s Wilson Alexander reports that Foucha’s suspension regards academic issues stemming from his transfer.

When LSU took the field on Sunday night for the first game of the Brian Kelly era, there were a lot of new faces wearing Tigers uniforms. However, transfer safety [autotag]Joe Foucha[/autotag] was not among them. We now know why.

According to a report from Wilson Alexander of The Advocate, Foucha is facing a four-game academic suspension stemming from his transfer to Baton Rouge from Arkansas. Foucha, a fifth-year senior and New Orleans native who started 33 games with the Razorbacks, was expected to be a starter in the defensive backfield this offseason.

That’s why it came as a surprise that reports from camp indicated Foucha had fallen to second on the depth chart behind [autotag]Major Burns[/autotag]. Now, we may know why.

Running back [autotag]John Emery Jr.[/autotag] (two games) and cornerback [autotag]Raydarious Jones[/autotag] (season) also currently face academic suspensions.

The Tigers have a litany of new additions in the secondary, and starter or not, Foucha was a key part of the plans at the position. Without him, the unproven group will be even thinner.

Wilson reports that his suspension is being appealed and could be reduced. As things currently stand, Foucha is slated to make his return on Oct. 1 against Auburn.

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Nose tackle Jaquelin Roy excited about position change, could be poised for a breakout

Roy moved from the three-technique to nose tackle this offseason, and reports from camp indicate that change is working out for the junior and Baton Rouge native.

LSU’s defensive line in 2022 has the potential to be one of the program’s best of the last decade.

With edge rushers [autotag]BJ Ojulari[/autotag] — the most hyped member of the group — and [autotag]Ali Gaye[/autotag], who has battled injuries but has been great when healthy, the Tigers should have no issues getting pressure on the quarterback.

Meanwhile, former five-star recruit [autotag]Maason Smith[/autotag] is expected to make a name for himself as a big interior defensive end after an impressive true freshman campaign in 2021.

With all this talent, the fourth projected starter in the group has been a bit overshadowed. Junior [autotag]Jaquelin Roy[/autotag] appeared in nine games as a true freshman in 2020 and played in all 13 games last season, when he notched the only start of his career thus far.

His production has been limited in those two seasons, but after moving from the three-technique position to nose tackle this offseason — and gaining 15 pounds — the 6-foot-4, 315-pound player could be set to take a big leap this fall.

“I don’t know too many centers that are just going to block me one-on-one,” Roy told The Advocate’s Sheldon Mickles. “When I was playing the three-technique (as a tackle), I struggled with taking the inside step before I got out vertically.

“I’m in an even stance in the nose, so I can step right in and lift whatever the offensive lineman is doing. I can make a play fast. I can be a disturbance.”

Roy is a Baton Rouge native who played his high school ball for University Lab High School in the literal shadow of Tiger Stadium. He told Mickles that transferring following two lackluster seasons was not on his radar.

He’s intent on making an impact with his hometown team, and his change in approach this offseason has been noticed by his teammates on the defensive line.

“For Jaquelin, everything is clicking right now on and off the field,” Ojulari said. “He’s going to be a very dominant interior lineman for us this year.

“The sky’s the limit … I expect him to have a very dominant season.”

LSU has a lot of talent up front on defense, and if Roy can take the kind of leap that his teammates and coaches expect, it could be enough to take this unit from very good to elite.

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Report: No. 1 college prospect Jacob Berry out indefinitely for LSU with an injury

Berry will be unavailable indefinitely after suffering a broken finger in practice.

LSU was all set to enter Game 2 against the Alabama Crimson Tide fully loaded coming off of a win in Game 1.

But when the lineup came out, it caused concern among Tigers fans as star third baseman [autotag]Jacob Berry[/autotag] was nowhere to be seen. According to a report from The Advocate’s Leah Hannah, Berry broke a finger in his right hand and will be unable to bat left-handed, meaning he will be out indefinitely.

Berry is one of the best players on the team and he is ranked as the No. 1 college player according to MLB.com.

With only three SEC series left (‘Bama, Ole Miss and Vandy), the Tigers are looking to improve their SEC and national seeding. Berry is a guy you need in that stretch.

The longevity of his injury is unknown, but this is awful news for a team that is looking to go on a winning streak. [autotag]Jack Merrifield[/autotag] will play third base for the time being. Game 2 against Alabama will start at 7:30 p.m. CT.

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