Clearly the battle of the Orgerons is the main story line for Saturday night’s game between McNeese State and LSU at Tiger Stadium.

However, there is more to this match than just coach vs. quarterback, a.k.a. father vs. son. With all the talk about McNeese’s quarterback Cody Orgeron playing against his father and LSU head coach Ed Orgeron, other ties between the programs can be overshadowed.

In fact, if you count the Orgerons there are a dozen close relationships between the schools when it comes to football. And for the Cowboys it starts at the top.

McNeese head coach Frank Wilson spent six years on the Tigers staff, the last four as the team’s associated head coach.

“LSU is near and dear to my heart,” Wilson said. “I got a chance to coach there, which was a tremendous opportunity for me. So many of us have spent time there and got a chance to be part of that great program.”

Make no mistake though, Wilson says he’s all Cowboy now.

“You want to go in and play your brothers hard,” he said. “We will go in and play hard, you can count on that.”

While it will be personal for all, perhaps nobody will go through as many emotions as Cowboys offensive line coach Chris Truax.

He was a starting offensive lineman for the Tigers from 1988-91; his father, Billy, was an all-Southeastern Conference tight end at LSU in the early ’60s. His father-in-law also played for the Tigers.

But there is more to the story. LSU’s coaches’ dressing room is named after Truax’s son, who died 15 years ago in a boating accident.

Wilson got emotional when he remembered dressing in that room.

“It will be really something for Chris to go back,” Wilson said.

Truax knows the trip back will bring up all sorts of emotions.

“There are a lot of memories there,” Truax said. “I love that school. I got to live out my dream by playing there, earn my degree and start my career all there.

“Also, I can’t say enough about the people there and how they still treat my family. To name a room after my son is really special. My dream was to coach in Tiger Stadium and now I get to do it, just on the other side. It’s going to be a special night.”

For wide receiver Josh Matthews, it is also personal. The senior will be playing on the same field as his father who was a defensive lineman. On the sideline will be his younger brother Jordan, a defensive back who is being recruited by LSU.

He will also be going up against former high school teammate and all-American cornerback Darryl Stingley Jr., who leads the Tigers defense.

“There are a lot of family ties for me in this game,” Matthews said. “That gives you a little extra focus. You always want to do good in front of family and friends.”

Matthews played in Tiger Stadium once before, as a member of Louisiana Tech, but this time he goes against his buddy Stingley.

“We had battles in practice back in high school,” Matthews said. “It will be tough, he’s a great corner. I’ll give him his props and we are friends. But we are not friends this week.”

McNeese tight end Jamal Pettigrew is the lone Cowboy who played for LSU. He was a Tiger for three years under Orgeron before transferring to McNeese. He would like to have have a big game in his old home.

“It would be nice to go back there and get a touchdown,” Pettigrew said. “But you just have to play the game and stick to the plan.”

The other connections are all players at McNeese going back where family members played. That includes linebackers Micah Davey and Jake LaFleur. Both of their fathers were Tigers who went on to play in the NFL.

Wide receiver Chris Raymond will be playing against his dad, Tigers defensive back coach Corey Raymond, who also played at LSU.

Cowboys Accord Green and Tyler Tolliver both have relatives who played at LSU while McNeese receiver coach Blaine Gauthier was an offensive analyst for Orgeron in Baton Rouge.

Then there is the Bonnette connection. LSU Sports Information Director Michael Bonnette is the older brother to McNeese SID Matthew. Their father was the longtime SID at McNeese, Louis, who is in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

All this makes for interesting stories all will have, but the winners will have the greatest tales.

“Fun stops when you play the game,” Matthews said.

But after the final whistle the stories will grow during family dinners and talk with friends.