(From a press release) -  Several adjustments to post-game traffic direction should improve the flow of vehicles off the LSU campus after football games this fall.

LSU, Baton Rouge City Police and LSU Police have listed the best traffic routes for motorists driving to Tiger Stadium for LSU football games.

The most significant adjustment should help ease the bottleneck that has developed after games on Skip Bertman Drive. To expedite traffic flow after the game, all vehicles traveling west of the railroad tracks on Skip Bertman Drive will be directed into three lanes, all going west toward River Road. Vehicles in the first lane (going left to right) will be directed south onto River Road. The second lane will be for dedicated use by Baton Rouge Police units. Vehicles in the third and fourth lanes will be directed north onto River Road.

Also, there have sometimes been long delays in the exiting of cars out of the Levee Lots located on River Road. Motorists exiting those lots should be aware that the northernmost exit from that lot will be directed to go north on River Road and the southernmost exit from that lot will be directed to so south on River Road.

And once again this year after game, Nicholson Drive will become a one-way roadway south bound from Lee Drive/Brightside Lane until Bluebonnet, and then Nicholson Drive at Bluebonnet will return to normal two-way traffic flow going south.

Fans are advised that the inner part of campus will be closed to vehicular traffic beginning at 7 a.m. on game days. The closed area of campus is comprised of the area bordered on the east by the Parade Ground going west to Nicholson Drive and the area bordered on the north by the Greek Theater going south to Nicholson Extension.

It is important for LSU fans to know that for much of the 2008 season, there will be construction on Burbank Drive. Motorists should be aware that this construction could cause delays going to and from the games.

Motorists are encouraged to carpool and to arrive early in order to easily find parking and walk to the stadium.

Motorists should remember the policemen along the routes and at parking lots are there to direct motorists to the best routes for closest available parking. Fans going to the games are urged to exercise caution and comply with posted traffic signs.

For the convenience of LSU fans, four comfort stations will be available between 8 a.m. and midnight on gameday. Locations are: West Stadium Lot (NW corner); Old Alex Box Stadium (Nicholson Drive at Skip Bertman Drive); ROTC Lot (grass area); and CEBA (West Parking lot, North end).

BEFORE THE GAME:

To provide a smooth flow of traffic, maximum utilization of available parking space and convenience to fans attending the games, motorists are asked to cooperate with the following suggestions:

If approaching the stadium from the north, use either River Road, Nicholson Drive, Highland Road or Dalrymple Drive. From these routes, parking will be available north of the stadium, on Nicholson Drive near the Carl Maddox Fieldhouse, at Kirby Smith dormitory lots off Aster and Roosevelt Streets, or at the Pleasant Hall lots on Dalrymple Drive.

If approaching the stadium from east or south, use either College Drive, Acadian/Stanford exit, Highland Road or Burbank Drive and Nicholson Drive. Parking for those using these routes is available on Gourrier Lane south of the stadium, off River Road near the Mississippi River and or additional lots east of the stadium in the vicinity of the John M. Parker Coliseum.

Fans coming from the south on Nicholson Drive or Burbank will be routed to Gourrier Lane, then River Road. Fans should note that during the 2008 football season Burbank Drive will be under construction south of Lee Drive so delays should be expected.

Due to the number of pedestrians in the area of Nicholson Drive at Tiger Stadium near game time, all non-permit traffic from the north will be detoured at Roosevelt Street and Nicholson Drive and all non-permit traffic from the south will be detoured at Burbank and Nicholson two and a half hours prior to kickoff.

Approximately ninety minutes prior to kickoff, police will direct one-way traffic only toward Tiger Stadium on Highland Road from Lee Drive, on West Lakeshore Drive from Stanford, on Nicholson Drive Extension from Highland Road and on Dalrymple Drive from the I-10 overpass.

Parking of vehicles on the neutral ground (islands) on Nicholson Drive will be prohibited due to the dangers presented for pedestrians and motorists.

Parking for motor homes in Lot B and Touchdown Village will again be available anytime after 5 p.m. on Friday of a home football game. As these spaces are individually reserved, it is requested that the motor homes not arrive until after 5 p.m. After 5 p.m., motor homes with permits for Lot B or Touchdown Village will be allowed to move to their respective lots under the direction of the LSU Police and parking personnel.

For safety reasons and to provide a better environment for the fans to enjoy the traditional march of the LSU Band into Tiger Stadium, North Stadium Road will be closed to all vehicular traffic. Fans are asked to cooperate with the band and to move back off of the street when the band marches down North Stadium Road prior to the game.

The parking lot next to Dub Robinson Tennis Stadium north of the Pete Maravich Assembly Center is used as a special handicap parking area for fans with a handicap placard or plate. A special shuttle service to and from Tiger Stadium is available before and after the game for persons that park in this lot.

Bus parking is located on Skip Bertman Drive just west of the Football Operations Center.

Due to limited parking spaces, the use of limousines as transportation to the football games is discouraged. Limousines that do travel to LSU for the football games will be directed to park in the Bus lot located on Skip Bertman Drive. A $100.00 parking fee will be required to park in this lot.

Persons planning on traveling to LSU by helicopter are advised that it is unlawful to use University property for landing helicopters.

AFTER THE GAME:

After the game, southbound traffic from the stadium will be directed onto Nicholson Drive or to River Road. Burbank Drive will be available for use; however motorists are advised that backups may occur due to construction during the 2008 season.

Nicholson Drive will become a one-way roadway south bound from Lee Drive/Brightside Lane until Bluebonnet, and then Nicholson Drive at Bluebonnet will return to normal two-way traffic flow going south. Fans who are traveling in the left lane of Nicholson Drive will be directed to turn onto Bluebonnet and fans traveling in the right lane of Nicholson Drive will be directed to continue straight (southbound).

After the game, northbound traffic west of Tiger Stadium will be directed onto Nicholson Drive or to River Road. Northbound traffic east of Tiger Stadium will be directed onto Highland Road.

All vehicles traveling west of the railroad tracks on Skip Bertman Drive will be directed into three lanes, all going west toward River Road. Vehicles in the first lane (going left to right) will be directed south onto River Road. The second lane will be for dedicated use by Baton Rouge Police units. Vehicles in the third and fourth lanes will be directed north onto River Road. River Road will be one-way going north from Skip Bertman Drive after games until all traffic is cleared from campus.

LSU broke its record for season-ticket sales for the fourth consecutive year, the school announced.

LSU fans have purchased 68,650 tickets for eight home games in the 2008 season. Last year, 68,230 were sold.

"Coming off a national championship, demand for season tickets is at an all-time high," said Brian Broussard, assistant athletic director for ticket operations. "We've sold every season ticket that we can sell."

The Tigers will scrimmage today (Tuesday) and Buddy Songy will have a full report posted here Wednesday morning.

Week 2 of LSU’s preseason football drills got underway Monday at the Charles McClendon Practice Facility with a notable omission: QB Jarrett Lee.  Coach Les Miles has confirmed the redshirt freshman had his leg rolled on by a teammate during Saturday’s practice and may miss as much as a week of practice while he rests his injured leg.  In the meantime, Soph. Andrew Hatch and true freshman Jordan Jefferson took the reps Monday along with TC McCartney and the results were not good.  Both Hatch and Jefferson were inaccurate as best, putting balls at the feet of some receivers and overthrowing others.  I am not one to make a blanket statement on the potential effectiveness of a player based on six days of practice, but Hatch and Jefferson struggled mightily Monday while the most accurate, strong-armed QB was not even present.  That does not instill a lot of confidence going into the ’08 campaign.

Monday was also the first time the media got a look at LSU’s kicking game.  Josh Jasper and Brady Dalfrey are battling it out for the punting duties, but both may see playing time.  During their workouts, Jasper was working on “coffin corner” kicks much like Jeremy Witten did as a pooch punter for the Tigers while Dalfrey was booming punts downfield.  It would not surprise me to see both on the field in ‘08.  Preseason All-SEC kicker Colt David was also back on the field with no ill effects from his ankle injury suffered last week.

Other notable absences Monday aside from Lee were senior Center Brett Helms who is still recovering from a calf strain and Safety Stefoin Francois who is being disciplined for violating unspecified team rules.

All three players were absent at Tuesday’s practice as well, along with senior LB Darry Beckwith.  We hope to get word from Coach Miles by Wednesday as to Beckwith’s status.  The LB position has an awful lot of talent with it razor-thin when it comes to depth.  DL Charles Alexander was at practice Tuesday, but did not participate.

As for the QBs and WRs Tuesday, I must pass along a compliment.  As critical as I have been of the QBs so far for their poor play, I have to be equally complimentary of their progress Tuesday.  Truthfully, it was like watching different players.  Lee was still absent, but both Jefferson and Hatch had their best day so far this camp.  Their accuracy and zip on the ball was perfect – and I do not pass along compliments like that lightly.  Be encouraged by Tuesday’s performance by the QBs.

The kickers were at practice Tuesday, but sat under a tent and did not kick during the media sessions.  Also, I mentioned last week that WR Ricky Dixon was the most impressive so far in camp, and he has carried that into week 2.  Dixon is big, strong, fast, and physical and has obviously worked his tail off this off season to earn more playing time.  I’m not saying he should supplant Byrd, LaFell or Tolliver, but in my opinion, Dixon has earned the right to be the fourth WR after the Big Three.  Watch No. 10 in 2008.

-Matt Moscona