Thatcher Hurd looks back on LSU vs. Alabama football game, reveals he left early

Thatcher Hurd is enjoying life on the Bayou, playing a huge role in LSU‘s 2023 season. He was one of the many high-level transfers Jay Johnson brought in, coming via UCLA. Originally from Southern California, there has been quite a culture change in the SEC/Baton Rouge.

One of those is football season, where LSU playing at Death Valley is the only thing that matters in the fall. Brian Kelly impressed everyone in his first season, providing plenty of great atmospheres. None was better than the Alabama game according to Hurd, even if he was not there for the duration.

“Bama,” Hurd said on which LSU game was his favorite. “Bama was sweet. We scrimmaged McNeese State the next day — can’t believe I’m saying this — I left early. So, I didn’t storm the field and missed all of the good stuff. But that was pretty sweet, that was a fun game.”

Head coach Jay Johnson would likely be proud of Hurd’s decision. LSU wound up playing 20 innings against McNeese State at the Box that Sunday. Hurd threw two scoreless innings, not giving up a hit and striking out two batters.

After playing over two games in one sitting, LSU wound up victorious over McNeese State, 25-11 on aggregate.

Kickoff time was 6 p.m. CT, setting up for the iconic Saturday Night in Death Valley backdrop. Once Mason Taylor caught the game-winning two-point conversion from Jayden Daniels, the rest of Baton Rouge was sent into a frenzy. The field was stormed before the party carried over into Tiger Town.

But all of that stems from the incredible game atmosphere LSU fans are able to put on. Hurd was still amazed nearly seven months later.

“Death Valley, I mean, people talk about it but you got to go there,” Hurd said.

Lucky for Hurd, he will have another season of watching LSU football ahead of him. He is in the midst of his sophomore season, serving as the Tigers’ No. 2 starter behind Paul Skenes. Once Skenes is selected within the top two of the MLB Draft later this summer, Hurd will take over for Johnson in the rotation.

Winning a national championship this season is priority No. 1, though. LSU is projected to be a top-eight seed in the NCAA Tournament, likely having home-field advantage throughout. Heck, even if they go to Omaha, the Tigers will have the majority of the crowd.

Skenes will not be able to pitch every time LSU takes the field. Hurd will have to come up in big moments in the postseason and maybe create special moments in Baton Rouge.

It’s doubtful Hurd would head home early for those.