Ausberry targeting 2022 for LSU football game in Superdome

NEW ORLEANS – LSU played its first neutral-site regular-season game in New Orleans in 96 years on Saturday, and if LSU deputy athletic director Verge Ausberry has his way, it won’t be anywhere near that long before the Tigers return.

Speaking at the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation Quarterback Club meeting Tuesday at Rock ‘n’ Bowl, Ausberry indicated a return to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome could happen in the next five years.

“We’re looking probably at 2022,” said Ausberry, who noted that the Tigers’ non-conference schedule is pretty much complete “out to 2030.”

“We’re talking to a few teams with help from the Sugar Bowl,” he said. “It would either be a single game or two neutral-site games,” similar to the deal LSU had with Wisconsin, playing games in Houston and Green Bay.

“We’re looking to schedule games within our footprint – Atlanta, Houston, Dallas and New Orleans,” Ausberry said. “Those four cities are where we’d like to play our (neutral site) games.”

Ausberry lauded praise on local officials who enabled Saturday’s game to be moved from Houston on short notice after Harvey impacted southeast Texas.

“Thanks to the city of New Orleans this weekend, to SMG, the Superdome, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Saints and the (Allstate) Sugar Bowl,” Ausberry said. “They helped us move a football game in four days.”

While Ausberry didn’t name any possible opponents, one suggestion came moments after Ausberry sat down.

“I’d like to help you, Verge,” said Tulane athletic director Troy Dannen, who followed Ausberry to the podium.