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photo by special to The Democrat
LSU running back and Natchez native Stevan Ridley gains yards in a game against Tulane. Ridley, a redshirt sophomore, will draw the start against Penn State in the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 1 due to an injury to senior starter Charles Scott.
Ridley will start for LSU in bowl game
Published Thursday, December 24, 2009
NATCHEZ — LSU running back and former Trinity Episcopal standout Stevan Ridley knew his time would come eventually.
He just didn’t expect it to happen as soon as it did.
With LSU head coach Les Miles announcing that Charles Scott would not be able to return from a broken collarbone for the Capital One Bowl, Ridley has been named the starter at running back for the Tigers on New Year’s Day in Orlando, Fla.
“I never would have dreamed that (my chance would come) at the time it has,” Ridley said. “I’m excited. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t. It’s a dream come true.”
Having played on the 2006 Class A state championship team for Trinity, Ridley is no stranger to big games.
“I went to LSU to play in big-time games, and here I am playing against Penn State and one of the best coaches in college football in my sophomore year,” Ridley said.
The road to getting to this point was not easy for Ridley, however. Recovering from a torn ACL and beginning the season buried on the Tigers’ depth chart were both formidable obstacles for him to overcome.
“I started out fifth on the depth chart, and my confidence was down some at the beginning (of the season),” Ridley said.
“I was just wondering when I would get my shot to carry the ball. I wanted to get to the point to where the team would be comfortable putting the ball in my hands. That time came sooner than I expected, and I just have to thank God for how quickly I’ve been able to come back from my ACL injury.”
Ridley said his performance in practice for the Tigers was a big reason his coaches have gained confidence in him.
“One thing I’ve learned is that you have to practice hard. Practice sets the good players apart from the best. (Trinity Head) Coach (David) King always said, anytime you can go in there and practice hard, you set yourself apart, because the coaches can see what they’re going to get in the game.”
The Nittany Lions look to bring a formidable team to Orlando, Ridley said, and he hopes the Tigers will be able to utilize their team speed to their advantage.
“We’ve watched a lot of film on them,” Ridley said. “They’re a big team. They have big players up front and strong linebackers, and their secondary tends to be pretty good.
“The speed of our team as a whole — offense, defense and special teams — should be an advantage for us. It should be a great game and a great matchup.”
If there have been any other games on Ridley’s mind recently, it would be Trinity’s game in the Class A state championship game last month.
“I was honestly excited when they won,” Ridley said. “Coach King called me the night before the game to come talk to those guys. I told them to let it all hang out.
“They were a good team, and they worked hard. Coach King is an inspirational guy. He had those guys playing hard for him. I’m proud of the program and proud to see them get Coach King a third state championship.”
Comments
Posted by jrn59 (anonymous) on December 24, 2009 at 6:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Geaux Tigers! Bring home the win...Merry Christmas to all!
Posted by jaquan32 (anonymous) on December 24, 2009 at 9:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
thank goodness he didnt go to ole miss, he would have had to walk through the klan before he went to practice.
Posted by bopat (anonymous) on December 24, 2009 at 12:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
jaquan32, that's about the stupidist thing I've ever heard. You need to wake up and take part in the real world.
Posted by Hambone (anonymous) on December 24, 2009 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
bopat you need to wake up, the kluckers were in Oxford for the LSU game. That did happen in the real world. Yeah in 2009. Doesn't get anymore real than that.
Posted by Razzmatazz (anonymous) on December 24, 2009 at 8:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
bopat, if you don't believe Hambone, check this out.
http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/news/2009...
Posted by jaquan32 (anonymous) on December 25, 2009 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What was that about the real world bopat!!!!!!!!
Posted by butch (anonymous) on December 25, 2009 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hell ! that episode by the klan made national news . You can't get any more real than that bopat !
Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on December 26, 2009 at 6:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I spent some time working at Oxford in 2001-04 and I never saw a Klansman, but I did see a black man dressed in a confederate soldier displaying a rebel flag. Craziest thing I ever saw. Turns out he was trying to educate people on the role of black soldiers in the Civil war fighting for the south. Things are sometimes not what they appear. I would bet the kluckers at Ole Miss were not locals or even from MS.
Posted by Greenfields (anonymous) on December 26, 2009 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"kluckers at Ole Miss were not locals or even from MS."
And I bet you would lose that bet
Posted by 1artcard (anonymous) on December 26, 2009 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Way to go Stevan! If you ever change your mind we'd like to see you here at the U'dub. (Univ. WA). And to go even further hope you get drafted by the Broncos. We're there every year for the Bronco Alumni Reunion. Cousin in WA..
Posted by TRON601 (anonymous) on December 26, 2009 at 1:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow. I read that article on the clan. Im not surprised. It just goes to show that Mississippi will never grow far from its roots towards success so to speak..b.partially because this state is always last in line to let the old go for the new. And now we see why with this seemingly continued support of the KKK. It just goes to further confirm what others have said about us. I live in North Carolina because of the Army and it shames me to this day to admit that when people hear that I am from Mississippi, something of this nature is the first thing that comes to mind when they reference my beloved state. "They say stuff like "Man, your state will never change." Or "Hey, your state is a monster!! I'd never want to go there." Or "Man, I dont see how you made it out. I hear they still hanging people down there. Or, "I wouldn't want to break down or stop at a store in your state." I've even heard some of my past soldiers say "Hey Sargeant C, I been through there but I made sure I didn't stop for gas becuz I hear Mississippi not the place stop for anything." While it may be funny to them, I absolutely feel ashamed about it. But at the same time, home is home and Im glad Im from Mississippi. I still keep my tags registered in MS and not N. Carolina even though its only $28.00 as opposed to $110.00. Overall, I still have to arrogantly say "Thanks Mississippi, you make me proud."
Posted by mekaboo82 (anonymous) on December 27, 2009 at 5:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am glad you are proud of your State Sargeant Carter.
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