Post by MizzouTiger on Feb 19, 2008 15:38:58 GMT -5
sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;_ylt=AjGGDt01zmIWrXKjFbMxNjrjvbYF?slug=uwire-ncaagrantslsudepittmansixt&prov=uwire&type=lgns
NCAA grants LSU DE Pittman sixth year of eligibility
By Matt Vines, The Daily Reveille
February 12, 2008
(UWIRE) BATON ROUGE, La. -- LSU defensive end Kirston Pittman will be able to pursue a third national championship in his collegiate career after the NCAA granted him a sixth year of eligibility Monday.
Pittman played in 13 games as a true freshman in 2003 during the Tigers' first Bowl Championship Series crown and 12 games as a sophomore before sitting out the entire 2004 and 2005 seasons with foot and ankle injuries.
The Garyville native applied for the extension in early January after earning a general studies degree this past December.
"This is a blessing for me," Pittman said in a news release. "This decision is something that I've been very anxious about, and I'm very fortunate and blessed to have been given the opportunity to get another year here at LSU. Now that the decision has been made, it's time to get back to work, get ready for spring practice and start preparing for next year."
The fifth-year senior led what some experts say was one of the best defensive lines in the nation with eight sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss this past season. Pittman tallied 14 quarterback pressures on the season and intercepted a key fourth-quarter pass that sparked LSU's 10-point comeback to beat Florida, 28-24.
"[Pittman] is very deserving of this ruling after what he's been through as far as injuries are concerned during his LSU career," LSU coach Les Miles said in a news release. "He's very fortunate that there's a good rule in place that allows a guy who has missed extensive time with injuries the opportunity to get a year back.
"The NCAA did the right thing for [Pittman]. This rule is good for college football."
Pittman is one of five returning defensive starters from a squad that ranked No. 3 in nation in total defense, allowing only 289 yards per game.
The other four returning starters are defensive end Tyson Jackson, defensive tackle Marlon Favorite, linebacker Darry Beckwith and free safety Curtis Taylor.
NCAA grants LSU DE Pittman sixth year of eligibility
By Matt Vines, The Daily Reveille
February 12, 2008
(UWIRE) BATON ROUGE, La. -- LSU defensive end Kirston Pittman will be able to pursue a third national championship in his collegiate career after the NCAA granted him a sixth year of eligibility Monday.
Pittman played in 13 games as a true freshman in 2003 during the Tigers' first Bowl Championship Series crown and 12 games as a sophomore before sitting out the entire 2004 and 2005 seasons with foot and ankle injuries.
The Garyville native applied for the extension in early January after earning a general studies degree this past December.
"This is a blessing for me," Pittman said in a news release. "This decision is something that I've been very anxious about, and I'm very fortunate and blessed to have been given the opportunity to get another year here at LSU. Now that the decision has been made, it's time to get back to work, get ready for spring practice and start preparing for next year."
The fifth-year senior led what some experts say was one of the best defensive lines in the nation with eight sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss this past season. Pittman tallied 14 quarterback pressures on the season and intercepted a key fourth-quarter pass that sparked LSU's 10-point comeback to beat Florida, 28-24.
"[Pittman] is very deserving of this ruling after what he's been through as far as injuries are concerned during his LSU career," LSU coach Les Miles said in a news release. "He's very fortunate that there's a good rule in place that allows a guy who has missed extensive time with injuries the opportunity to get a year back.
"The NCAA did the right thing for [Pittman]. This rule is good for college football."
Pittman is one of five returning defensive starters from a squad that ranked No. 3 in nation in total defense, allowing only 289 yards per game.
The other four returning starters are defensive end Tyson Jackson, defensive tackle Marlon Favorite, linebacker Darry Beckwith and free safety Curtis Taylor.