Notebook: Ed Orgeron on injuries, suspensions and a cold forecast for Fayetteville

ed orgeron lsu

By JAMES MORAN | Tiger Rag Associate Editor

Anyone heading up to Fayetteville to take in Saturday night’s LSU/Arkansas tilt better be sure to pack their Gortex.

Forecasts call for the temperature to drop below 40 degrees after the annual Battle for the Boot kicks off at 6 p.m. Not much warmer than the borderline freezing conditions the two sides played in two years ago, a 17-0 Razorback victory.

While most of LSU’s roster hails from south Louisiana, interim coach Ed Orgeron downplayed the idea his Tigers would be negatively impacted by the cold.

“They’ll love it,” Orgeron bellowed at his post-practice presser Thursday.

Not only that, but Orgeron indicated he’ll be rocking his typical short-sleeves on the sidelines. Being cold is only a state of mind, they say.

Here’s the news and notes to know from Orgeron’s press conference:

– Left tackle K.J. Malone (shoulder) is expected to start at left tackle against Arkansas, Orgeron said. He sported a non-contact jersey during the media viewing portion of practice Tuesday. N

– Orgeron wouldn’t name a starting right tackle between Toby Weathersby and Maea Teuhema, saying the decision would be left to offensive line coach Jeff Grimes. “I don’t see a big change there,” Orgeron said.

– Cornerback Kevin Toliver is “questionable” due to an undisclosed injury, Orgeron said. The coach wouldn’t specify the ailment.

– Freshman offensive lineman Donavaughn Campbell has been reinstated to the team, Orgeron said. He was suspended indefinitely two weeks ago following an arrest on the campus of Georgia Tech during LSU’s bye week. Sophomore wide receiver Jazz Ferguson remains suspended from the team.

– Freshman cornerback Saivion Smith will likely miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on an injured finger, Orgeron said.

– LSU spent time throughout the week, including a 10-minute period Thursday, working to iron out the communication issues that cost the Tigers two timeouts and a handful of procedural penalties against Alabama.

– While a graduate assistant at Arkansas, his first FBC job, Orgeron says he earned $25 every two weeks. “And I was always glad to get that check,” the coach smiled.

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