Dolt m All Casanova Hit By Tiger Love By GARY LONG Herald Sports Writer "Cajun" a 6-months-old Bengal tiger stole the show at the Orange Bowl Committee's welcoming festivities for the Louisiana State Tigers Saturday "Hey what is that?" All-American cornerback Tommy Casanova called :::!:::::::::i::!:::::::!:::!::::::::'-:'::::::::'!:::::::!:!!:!:!:::!!!:::::!i out on sighting the playful cub in a huddle of :::::-!::: vo v - ::::::::::::::: :::'r:::::::::::::: h :::‘ ' ::::::::::: teammates "I'd give my COI :::::::':::'::" right leg to have it" I ' 5:: zit If one of LSU's more g: faithful followers had :::1:::::::':::':::::1::::::::!::—!:!':':'::::::!ii :!:':H!!:':::::: heard him he might have :::::ii:!::t::!':':::: :::::i:: come up with cash to buy range '!:::'!it:':::O::::!''i::::::::::: That's the e kind the spot :::::- t - :::::::::::::L::::::: ::::::4::::: :::::::::!:!-:!':!:-::i: fair Tiger fans have going ! Iffi'::::'':':':!!:!: ::11::::!!N with the aptly-named Ca- ::-::: Mel' 'ii'3:1::r sanova The 6-f o o t 1-inch -" pnriz' 190-pounder with sprint- er's speed is slightly self-conscious about all the attention showered upon " him But the adulation is a natural response to his exploits J S Billings an OBC member who scouted LSU twice said it best "This kid is something else" Billings marvelled "He's the old-time classic football player He just does it all" NOTHING the junior from small Crowley La does surprises the throngs who cheer him and teammates in wild Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge It wouldn't be unlikely to see Casanova bat down a long third-down pass return an ensuing punt about 50 yards to the opponent's three-yard line and then burst off right tackle for the VD He's that versatile The handsome youth's two seasons thus far have justified LSU Coach Charley McClendon's lofty assessment before he had even seen Casanova in a varsity game Coach Mac considers him the best athlete he's coached since All-American halfback Jerry Stovall in 1962 Casanova's selection to the Associated Press All-American secondary speaks for his defensive ability which includes three pass interceptions HE ALSO rushed for 194 yards in 48 carries from the tailback spot on offense returned 14 punts for 228 yards and toted 12 kickoffs for 208 more yards Two of his punt returns went 61 and 76 yards for touchdowns in the 61-17 rout of Mississippi that assured LSU's invitation to Friday night's Orange Bowl game Casanova doesn't care what position he plays "just as long as I'm on the field" he said Saturday And he figures to get a terrific workout New Year's Night against Nebraska "Their offense is just great" he said "They've got the best backs in the country That (Joe) Oruna is unbelievable And they have a good passing attack too" CASANOVA has proved his ability to handle either the run or the pass from his cornerback spot "Tommy gained the respect of his teammates right away because he strikes so hard on defense" LSU Athletic Director Carl Maddox offered reflecting Casanova's aggressive play against running sweeps "He held (Notre Dame's Tom) Gatewood to four receptions for 24 yards all in the first half" said LSU sports publicist Bud Johnson speaking for Casanova's work against the pass Gate-wood of course is a consensus All-American at wide receiver Asked about his effort against Gatewood Casanova modestly mentioned that Gatewood had caught four and that "I didn't feel I played that well" Only a late Notre Dame field goal prevented the game from ending in a scoreless tie One teammate jokingly told Casanova that the Bengal cub "Cajun" would go to the Orange Bowl game's Most Valuable Player If that were so LSU followers wouldn't be at all surprised to see Casanova hauling a new pet back to '‘ Baton Rouge V p cic m a 5( bt j1-1 SE Si hi A ti 2: SI A tc tt si f( 1 e' - ! co : :::Y ZZ1 - Orange Botil learn:::::::-
