Phil Hicks

Matt Flynn has the patience of Job.

The Tylerite has been at LSU for five years, four of those years mainly as backup quarterback.

During that time, Flynn, as well as others, knew he could be the starting quarterback at 90 percent of the other Division I schools.

"It was tough," said Flynn, the former Robert E. Lee star, at a news conference Friday in New Orleans. "I grew a lot; I grew a lot as a person. I learned a lot about myself and a lot of patience. It was just one of those things that you got to just keep preparing every week. You got to just be mentally tough about it.

"I just kept telling myself these past couple of years that I needed to keep working hard, keep preparing and good things will happen. I was fortunate enough that I was able to have this last year, my fifth year."

And what a fifth year.

Flynn has directed the Tigers into the BCS national championship game Monday against Ohio State in the Louisiana Superdome.

As a true freshman he stood on the sidelines as LSU upset Oklahoma to win the national championship in the Sugar Bowl. Now, he's the leader.

"I've had a lot of fun," Flynn said. "It's been an incredible year. I've just been happy to be a part of a great team and be with all these great guys this year and have the success we've had.

"And I really truly wouldn't give up this year for four years starting anywhere else."

It's not as if Flynn hasn't had his moments during the previous four years in Tigerland. During his sophomore year, he replaced an injured JaMarcus Russell in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl and responded by leading LSU to a 40-3 victory over the Miami Hurricanes. Flynn was voted Offensive MVP of the game after throwing for 196 yards and two TDs.

It's been a magical year for Flynn and the Tigers. They won the Southeastern Conference championship and they've been in some crazy games.

They've been ranked No. 1 and twice lost triple overtime games. It appeared the last loss would cost them.

The day after Thanksgiving, it appeared the Tigers would not have a chance to win a national title. Arkansas stunned LSU, 50-48, in triple overtime in Baton Rouge.

"After the Arkansas game, that was probably as hard of a loss that I've ever had to go through," Flynn said. "It was one of those things we thought we had lost our opportunity to be able to play this game. And I think everyone thought about that.

"And it was just funny how things worked out and what a difference a week can make. It's from the bottom to the top in a week. And we didn't really think it was that likely."

Traveling back from Southeastern Conference championship in Atlanta, Flynn and the Tigers were in shock after the sequence of events that vaulted LSU and Ohio State into the national championship.

First, No. 2 West Virginia fell to Pittsburgh and that upset was followed by No. 1 Missouri falling to Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship Game.

"We were just - we really couldn't believe - we couldn't believe the scores," Flynn said. "And we just - we were just in shock, really."

Flynn expects a great game between the top-ranked Buckeyes and the No. 2 Tigers.

"We'll be blessed to be part of the game," Flynn said. "I think it's two great programs with two great traditions going at it on Monday night. And it's going to be a lot of fun."

LSU quarterback Matt Flynn (15) answers questions during media day at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans Saturday. LSU will play Ohio State in the BCS championship college football game tonight.
((AP Photo / Rob Carr))