This weekend, coach Brian Kelly and the Tigers head to Columbia, MO, to take on the Missouri Tigers. Earlier this week, LSU football transfer defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo spoke on the matchup and what it means to him to be returning home to play his former school.
LSU football transfer Mekhi Wingo looks forward to returning home for matchup vs. Missouri
For LSU football transfer Mekhi Wingo, it hasn’t always been Louisiana Saturday nights in Death Valley. After growing up in St. Louis, MO, the star defensive tackle elected to stay close to home and attend the University of Missouri.
However, following his freshman season in 2021, he began searching for a change through the transfer portal, which led him straight to Baton Rouge.
Two years later, he’s headed back home to play against his former school and teammates.
While he’s likely looking forward to the matchup, it’s more than just football he’s looking forward to experiencing in his return to Missouri.
“It’s gonna be great. I’ve been talking to my old teammates there and all my friends, so it’s definitely going to be great just to – those family members that have never really been able to travel – just to be able to come back home and play in front of them; that’s a great feeling,” said the junior defensive tackle.
This is just the second time LSU football has ever played in Columbia, with the first coming in 2020. In terms of timing, it couldn’t have been much more perfect for Mekhi Wingo to play in front of his family once again.
Death Valley has prepared the team for road games like this
So far in 2023, LSU football is just 1-1 in true away games. The sole loss came against Ole Miss last week, and now the Tigers are faced with another stellar offense to try and defend this weekend.
However, if you ask defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo, he sounds confident in the Tigers’ ability to hit the road and play at a high level.
“For an opposing team, it could be kind of hostile,” said Wingo on the Mizzou game day atmosphere. “The fans are crazy, but the guys will be ready. It’s nothing we haven’t experienced; we play in Death Valley every Saturday, so I think we’ll be fine.”
One of the most intimidating atmospheres in college football is that of Death Valley. Furthermore, the Tigers have already gone into Mississippi State and come away with a win in what was a rowdy environment early on, so they’re capable of handling a hostile crowd.
The biggest question will be how coach Brian Kelly’s squad responds following their second loss of the season. Game time on Saturday is 11:00 a.m., so we won’t have to wait much longer to find out.
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