DaytonDailyNews.com

NEW ORLEANS — In four games this season, the LSU football team played without Early Doucet. The wide receiver's groin injury then limited him in several games as it nagged well into November.

"I just stayed positive about the situation because it could've been worse," said Doucet, a senior. "I knew there was plenty of opportunity for me to get back healthy and still be able to have some games to play my senior season."

As a much-anticipated weapon heading into the season, Doucet has delivered despite his injury. Heading into the BCS Championship Game against Ohio State, the 6-foot, 206-pounder leads the Tigers with 50 catches (for 474 yards) in just nine games.

He leads a talented receiving corps that also includes Brandon LaFell (48 catches, 641 yards), Demetrius Byrd (33, 593) and tight end Richard Dickson (28, 331). Teammates say that Doucet is the key member of that group.

"I think any time you have such a good player, great player, such a dominating player, it's important to have him out there," said quarterback Matt Flynn. "Especially when he's a senior, when he's a leader on this team, when he's been there, when he's at least two years older than all the other receivers, it's very important to have him out there.

"Fourth-and-4 in an away game, you throw it to him."

Thanks, dad

Flynn's father, Alvin, was a Baylor quarterback in the 1960s. After games, Flynn isn't just talking to his dad, he's talking to a person experienced at the position.

In Flynn's first season as a starter, the senior has completed 55.1 percent of his passes for 2,233 yards and 17 touchdowns, but there are still flaws that his dad sees.

"He'll critique me a lot," Flynn said. "He's always been my quarterback coach, ever since I started playing. He's the reason I'm here, and the reason I'm playing quarterback. I owe it all to him."

Tigers' two QBs

The backup quarterback, sophomore Ryan Perrilloux (694 passing yards, 253 rushing yards), provides another wrinkle for the LSU offense. Center Brett Helms sees the positives from both.

"Flynn has a little better knowledge of the offense, but that's because he's been here longer," Helms said. "Perrilloux likes to lower his shoulder and run people over."

BCS what?

Of all the questions for LSU offensive lineman Ciron Black, don't ask him about the BCS. He's as confused as you are.

"I've been in college for three years, and I still don't know anything about the BCS," Black said. "If they say we won, I'm gonna cheer. That's one question I would like to ask."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or knagel@DaytonDailyNews.com