New Orleans – When the Louisiana State University Bayou Tigers recently defeated Ohio State University in New Orleans' legendary Superdome, all of the action took place on a Sportexe® synthetic turf system.

The indoor stadium's record crowd of 79,651, along with a national television audience, saw LSU come back from an early deficit to defeat the Buckeyes for the BCS Championship. The game was contested on a playing surface highlighted by tufted five-yard lines, inlaid numbers and hash marks. Additional field markings, such as center and end zone logos were painted.

After the turf was installed, it was filled with a mixture of rounded silica sand and SBR rubber. While the Sportexe system is normally installed over a compacted crushed stone base, the field in the Superdome was installed over a concrete base.

Sportexe turf has been the playing surface at the Superdome for several years, and is used primarily by the National Football League's New Orleans Saints. The extremely durable field, which is tufted into multiple layers of backing, is also used by Tulane University and several local high schools. The 2004 BCS Championship was also played on Sportexe synthetic turf.

The Superdome, which was renovated following Hurricane Katrina, was originally completed in 1975. It has hosted more NFL Super Bowls than any other sports facility, and this year's BCS Championship was the third to be played in the mammoth venue. It also serves as host to the Sugar Bowl, the New Orleans Bowl and the annual Bayou Classic, a gridiron contest between Grambling State and Southern University.

LSU might have had a hidden edge in this year's BCS Championship, although an explosive offense and tenacious defense might have played the major role in the Tiger's victory. The Baton Rouge, LA campus of the Tigers is home to a Sportexe practice field.

Although LSU, this year's BCS Champions, had an explosive offense and tenacious defense, the hidden edge may have been the campus of the Tigers is home to a Sportexe practice field.