By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

It will stand as one of the most memorable moments of Alfred Blue’s young life when the sophomore running back takes the field at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Jan. 9 in the BCS Championship game.

Blue and the LSU offense will surely be met with as much adversity as they’ve faced at any point this season against one of the country’s elite defensive teams in Alabama; such was certainly the case in the first meeting between the teams this season, a 9-6 LSU win in overtime at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

But that adversity will likely not phase the former Hahnville star Blue, who has already overcome so much this season.

Blue’s home in Boutte burned down in September, a home that he shared with his mother, three siblings and his grandmother. Along with it burned the family’s belongings.

Off the field, Blue carried the extra burden. He remained in Boutte, going back and forth from his family’s apartment to his LSU classes and football practices.

“You go there, come back, have to wake up for classes then practice, and you repeat it all each day,” said Blue. “It’s been hard. But you just push through it. I felt like I hat to do it.”

On the field, opponents have carried the burden. Blue said that he has used football as an escape, a way to channel his feelings.

“Football really releases me from it,” said Blue. “I take out my anger and frustration when I run.”

He was asked if the LSU scout team linebackers fared well on these occasions.

“No, I don’t think so,” he said with a wry smile.

Indeed, his breakout game this season came the game after the fire took place. He rushed for 72 yards and a score on 16 carries against SEC foe Kentucky, and followed it up with a 70 yard, one score performance against Florida.

A few weeks later, Western Kentucky caught Blue’s wrath, as he rushed for a career high 119 yards and two scores on just nine carries.

Blue did not record a carry against Alabama in the first game, but that figures to change; he’s averaged 13.2 (Western Kentucky), 18.5 (Mississippi) and 11.8 (Georgia) yards per carry respectively in each of his last three games.

On the season, he’s rushed for 539 yards and seven scores on 6.9 yards an attempt.

“I go to practice every day with a chip on my shoulder,” Blue said.

His family will be with him each step of the way.

His mother and father will be in attendance on Jan. 9, as will be his two uncles.

His mother’s strength, Blue said, helped him maintain his focus through the tough times.

“She told me everything would be OK,” he said. “Focus on what I’m doing.”

And the fruits of that focus will be on full display to all closest to him.

“Playing so close to home means a lot. I plan on putting on a show,” said Blue. “Like they say, put on for my city.”