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Great LSU Football Wins in the last 50 years

This information is reader submitted and has not been verified.

1958 LSU 14 Ole Miss 0
LSU is # 1 in one poll going into this game, but the Rebels are actually a 3 point favorite going into the game. In the first half, Ole MIss drives deep into LSU territory and has 4 cracks from the LSU 1 yard line and the Tigers stop them. LSU scores before the half and adds another score to win thanks to Warren Rabb and Durel Matherne.

1958 LSU 7 Mississippi State 6
LSU is #1 in both polls and they venture into Jackson Memorial Stadium and almost have their National Championship hope dashed, but a second half drive saves the Tigers as Red Hendrix catches a pass on 4th down to preserve the win. LSU was trailing 6-0 at the time. As the game ended, Paul Dietzel said that does it really matter if it is 7-6 or 70-6.

1958 LSU 62 Tulane 0
Prior to the game, a Tulane player said that they would beat LSU because they would choke. LSu lead only 6-0 at the half, but poured it on the 2nd half and scored 35 points in the 4th quarter. This would be the 1st of 3 wins by this score in the next 7 years.

Jan. 1, 1959 Sugar Bowl LSU 7 Clemson 0
This win capped an 11-0 season and the National Championship when Billy Cannon threw an 11 yard touchdown pass to Mickey Mangham. LSU held off a Clemson drive to preserve the win and the National Title.

Oct. 31, 1959 LSU 7 Ole Miss 3
This one is a no brainer. Ole Miss dominates this game throughout until Billy Cannon runs back an 89 Yard punt return for a touchdown. The Rebels drive down and are stopped on the LSU 1 yard line as the game ends. LSU would be pounded by the Rebels on New Year's Day in the Sugar Bowl later that season.

1960 LSU 6 Ole Miss 6
This was not a win, but a great effort by the Tigers. This game was played in Oxford. The Rebels were ranked #1 in some polls, but LSU out fought Ole Miss and the Rebels needed a late field goal to preserve the tie. LSU went into the game 1-4 and would not lose the rest of the year and would finish 5-4-1. Ole Miss would finish 9-0-1. After the game, Paul Dietzel said that if someone had told me that we would tie, I would have been elated, but after the game, I felt like we had lost. It was still a great effort by the Tigers.

1961 LSU 10 Ole Miss 7
Ole Miss came into Tiger Stadium ranked #1 in the nation, but an inspired Tiger Team rallied with a second half touchdown by Wendell Harris. Paul Dietzel said that "I hope the boys on the 1958 and 1959 teams forgive me, but this is the greatest win I have ever been associated with."

1961 LSU 62 Tulane 0
This was the second of the traditional 62-0 score against Tulane from 1958 to 1965. It marked the end of Andy Pilney's reign as the Green Wave coach. Pilney had been the hero of Notre Dame's upset of Ohio State 26 years earlier as he Irish shocked the Buckeyes in Columbus 18-13. This would also be Paul Dietzel's 2nd to alst game as a Tiger coach and last game in Tiger Stadium as he lead LSU to a 25-7 win over Colorado in the Orange Bowl and a #3 National ranking.

1963 Cotton Bowl LSU 13 Texas 0
Charley McClendon's first LSU team shuts out Texas as Lyn Amedee wins the Most Valueable player award. LSU would be the only team to beat the Horns in a 2 year period.

1964 LSU 11 Ole Miss 10
Ole Miss would only finish 5-4-1, but the Rebels were still respected. They were ranked #1 in pre-season polls. This was the height of the Rebels football prowress nationally. With the exception of the Archie Manning years, Ole Miss was never the same after this year. LSU was down 10-3 when Buster Brown lined up to punt with 7 minutes left in the game, but Doug Cunningham fumbled the punt and the Tigers took the ball drove for a touchdown as Billy Ezzell connected with Billy Masters for a touchdown and then he connected with Doug Moreau for the 2 point conversion. LSU held off one last Rebel drive to preserve the victory

1965 Sugar Bowl LSU 13 Syracuse 10
Syracuse jumped out to a 10-2 lead the half, but LSU tied the score with a 57 yard touchdown reception by Doug Moreau and 2 point pass to Joe Labruzzo. Doug Moreau would kick a field goal for the win.

1965 LSU 62 Tulane 0
LSU finished the 1965 season in a big way by beating the Greenies of Tulane by the magical 62-0 score for the third time in 7 years. It had been a dissappointing year as it opened with great promise with many picking the Tigers to win the SEC Title and challenge for national honors, but an early season loss to Florida in Gainesville of 14-7 as Joe Labruzzo fumbled on the 2 yard line late in the 4th quarter and a knee injury to Nelson Stokely stymied the Tigers in losses to Ole Miss 23-0 and Alabama 31-7. The Tigers regrouped and bounced back with a win over Mississippi State and smothered the Green Wave in this momumental rout, which featured an 80 yard punt return before the half by Sammy Grezzafi. LSU scored late in the game and went for 2 to get the 62 points, much to the angst of Tulane fans. It would mark the end of Tommy O'Boyle's reign as Green Wave coach and pave the way for the Jim Pittman era.

1966 Cotton Bowl LSU 14 Arkansas 7
The Razorbacks came in ranked #2 in the country and riding a 22 game winning streak. Arkansas scored first on a touchdown pass from John Brittenum to Bobby Crockett. LSU's ground game took over and Joe Labruzzo would rush for two touchdowns and LSU would have chances to put the game away, but still held on for a major upset.

1966 LSU 28 South Carolina 12
This was not a good South Carolina team and it would not be one of Charlie McClendon's best teams either, but it was Paul Dietzel's return to Tiger Stadium. LSU won comfortably and it enabled Coach Mac to get the Dietzel monkey off of his back.

1966 LSU 21 Tulane 7
This was not a good Tiger team by late 1950's and all of 1960's standards. From 1958 to 1973, LSU would miss the bowls 3 times. Once in 1969 when LSU was 9-1-0 and were snubbed by the Cotton Bowl in favor of Notre Dame and voted against playing in a lesser bowl, once in 1960 when they finished 5-4-1, but tied a great Ole Miss team in Oxford that and only allowed a little more than 50 points, and this year when they also went 5-4-1. LSU was beaten by Rice in Houston at the game's end by 17-15 and lost Quarterback, Nelson Stokely for the year with a shoulder injury. The Tigers would be blown out by Florida 28-7, shut out by Ole Miss 17-0 and Alabama 21-0. They stood at 3-4-1 and in danger of havind a losing season, but a win over Mississippi State 17-7 and the outstanding running of Tommy "Trigger" Allen lead the Tigers to this 21-7 victory. It was significant because Jim Pittman energized the Tulane program and finished with a 5-4-1 record also, which was cause for celebration on Willow Street. The Wave faithful had made sounds of beating the Tigers for the first time since 1948, but Allen and gutsy Quarterback, Freddie Haynes prevented that as the Tigers held on in front of more than 83,000 screaming fans. Tragically, it would be the last LSU football game for the legendary Athletic Director Jim Corbett, who created Saturday night live in Tiger Stadium as he would succumb to a Heart Attack in January of 1967. Jim Pittman would stay at Tulane through the 1970 season and lead them to 17-3 win in the Liberty Bowl over Colorado. He would also tragically die of a heart attack the following season in his first season as the TCU Head Coach.

January 1, 1968 Sugar Bowl LSU 20 Wyoming 13
LSU was not supposed to have a good team that year, but the 1967 Tigers
surprised people with a 6-3-1 record and lost all 3 games by a total of 6 points. They lost because of their inability to make extra points and field goals. They had losses of 17-15 to Miami, 17-14 to Tennessee in Knoxville, and 7-6 to Alabama. They were tied by Ole Miss in Jackson 13-13 due to the fact they missed an extra point. The Tigers fell behind Wyoming 13-0 at the half in the Sugar Bowl, but came alive when Glenn Smith started an LSU comeback with a 38 yard pass reception and a short touchdown run late in the 3rd quarter. Nelson Stokely found Tommy Morel for two touchdowns in the 4th quarter and LSU withstood a late Wyoming threat to preserve the win. Miami Dolphin great running back, Jim Kiick played for Wyoming. It was a great way to ring in 1968.

1968 LSU 13 Texas A&M 12
The Texas Aggies were coming off a surprising season as Gene Stalling's crew had defeated his mentor, Bear Bryant and the Alabama Crimson Tide, 20-16 in the previous year's Cotton Bowl. The Aggies has lost 4 games the previous year by a 20-17 score to SMU, 24-20 to Purdue, 19-18 to Florida State, and the most lopsided score of 17-6 to LSU in Baton Rouge. The Aggies started 0-4 and won their last 7 games including the Cotton Bowl and a Southwest Conference Championship. A & M was picked to contend for National Honors as Edd Hargett and company jumped out to a 12-0 lead. The Tigers closed the gap to 12-6 late in the first half and went ahead 13-12 with about 7 minutes to go in the game as Jim West scampered in for a touchdown and the Tigers added the PAT for the lead, but the fun was not over as the Aggies marched down to the 1 yard line, but fumbled out of end zone and a later Aggie 60 yard field goal attempt on the game's final play fell short. The Aggies would finish 3-7 that year and would not play in the Cotton Bowl until the 1986 game.

1968 Peach Bowl--December 30, 1968 Grant Field Atlanta, Georgia
LSU 31 Florida State 27
LSU would have a dissappointing season by their standards. They would finish 7-3-0 with a heart breaking loss to Ole Miss and Archie Manning 27-24, an uninspired 16-7 loss to Alabama in Birmingham, and an embarrassing rout at the hands of the Miami Hurricanes 30-0. They were picked to do much better. LSU on this rainy night in Atlanta started out by falling behind 13-0 to the Seminoles, but rallied to come within 13-10 at the half. Mike Hillman woke up the Tigers with two touchdowns and the Bengals lead 24-13 going into the 4th Quarter, but Bill Cappleman and Ron Sellers put Florida State back ahead 27-24 late in the game. LSU marched down the field and got a critical 3rd down and long conversion and Maurice Leblanc ran in from 3 yards out for the game's final score, but the Seminoles came back and were throwing up to the end. Barton Frye knocked down a 4th down pass to preserve the win. LSU would win two more Peach Bowls and Altanta would be the site of great moments in LSU sports with the Tigers winning a trip to the Final Four in the Southest Regional Championship game in 1986 with a 59-57 win over Kentucky and who can forget last year's triumph over Tennessee in the SEC Title Game by a 31-20 score.

1969 LSU 21 Auburn 20
LSU entered a rare afternoon game in Tiger Stadium against the War Eagles and future Heisman Trophy winner, Pat Sullivan. On the game's first play Mike Hillman pitched to Jimmy Gilbert who threw to a wide open Andy Hamilton to complete a 62 yard touchdown pass. Auburn would come back and score on the next drive and take a 14-7 lead, but LSU would score right before the half to tie up the game and they took lead 21-14 in the 3rd quarter, but the Plainsmen were not through as Pat Sullivan lead them back with a score early in the 4th quarter, but Bill Thomason would block the PAT attempt to make the score 21-20. Auburn would threaten later, but the LSU defense held on for an exciting win. LSU would lose a heartbreaker the followning week to Archie Manning and the Ole Miss Rebels in Jackson 26-23. It would be the only loss in a stellar 9-1-0 campaign. This would arguably be Coach Charley McClendon's best team as they finished ranked in the Top Ten.

1969 LSU 20 Alabama 15
This was not one of Bear Bryant's best team, which would finish 6-5 that year with a 47-33 loss to Colorado in the Liberty Bowl, but it was Alabama and LSU had not beaten them since 1958. LSU jumped out to leads of 13-3 and 20-9, but Scott Hunter and the Tide kept throwing and made the game closer than it should have been, but the Tigers held on for a 2-0 record against the state of Alabama. This game is significant as LSU would not beat Alabama again in Tiger Stadium for 31 years after this one. Nick Saban's first team in 2000 held on for a 30-28 win over the Tide that year. LSU would end 1969 with routs of Mississippi State 61-6 and 27-0 over Tulane, but woud get shut out of the Major Bowls as Notre Dame played #1 Texas in the Cotton Bowl and the Sugar Bowl opted for Ole Miss as they defeated Arkansas 27-22 that year. LSU finally gets their Cotton Bowl match with Texas this year.

1970 LSU 17 Auburn 9
Auburn was on fire with a 6-0 record and #6 national ranking. Pat Sullivan, Terry Beasley, Mickey Zofko and company were the talk of the SEC. They had a 36-22 win over Defending SEC Champion, Tennessee to their credit and were a prohibitive favorite over LSU as the two Tiger teams went at it on the Plains of Auburn for the first time in many years. LSU was a respectable 4-1 going into the game. They had recovered from a shocking 20-18 last second loss to Texas A & M earlier in the year and played inspired ball that day. The LSU Tigers caught a break early by recovering an AUburn fumble deep in War Eagle Territory. Buddy Lee found Andy Hamilton for the game's first score, but the Plainsmen came back with two field goals to make it 7-6 LSU. The Bayou Bengals scored right before the half and added a two point conversion to take a 15-6 lead into the locker room. Auburn added a field goal, but Ronnie Esthay for a safety and the LSU defense stopped Auburn with a picture perfect tackle on 4th down as Mike Anderson hit Wallace Clark and stood him up at the 2 yard line. Coach Mac would say later that only a perfect tackle by Anderson saved the day for the LSU Tigers.

1970 LSU 14 Alabama 9
LSU followed the Auburn game with another victory in the state of Alabama by beating the Tide 14-9. It was again not a great Alabama team as they would finish 6-5-1 including a 24-24 tie against Oklahoma in the Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl, but this is Alabama and Bear Bryant. LSU fell behind 3-0, but quickly grabbed a 14-3 lead and should have won by a much larger margin as they fumbled inside the the 5 yard line against Alabama and the Tide marched back to make it 14-9, but Louis Cascio ended Alabama's last threat with an interception. LSU would miss the chance to make it 3 in a row against the Tide as Bear Bryant would go to the Wishbone offense and beat LSU the next year in Tiger Stadium 14-7 and dominate the SEC in the decade of the 70's. LSU would not beat Alabama again until 1982.

1970 LSU 61 Ole Miss 17
Most of the nation saw one the first night games televised in Tiger Stadium as LSU and Ole Miss squared off for the SEC Title. Archie Manning broke his wrist 3 weeks earlier in 24-13 win over the Houston Cougars. The Rebels were beaten by Mississippi State a week earlier without Manning. Archie courageously played in this game, but he was no match for an inspired Tiger team. Ole Miss actually jumped out to an early 7-0 lead and were up 10-7 in the 2nd quarter, but the Tigers began their onslaught with a TD pass from and a punt return by Tommy Casonova and safety as they sacked Manning in the end zone for a 23-10 halftime lead. Casanova would get another punt return for a touchdown and Craig Burns added another along with a long run by Art Cantrelle and touchdowns by Ken Kavanaugh Jr., and Jimmy Ledoux and a field goal for the 61-17 win. The fans stormed the field as the Tigers accepted a bid to the Orange Bowl that year and they celebrated LSU's first SEC Title since 1961 and their first outright one since the National Championship year of 1958.

1971 LSU 28 Notre Dame 8
This was one of the most highly anticipated games in Tiger Stadium history. The atmosphere was electric. The Tigers had lost a hard fought 3-0 game in South Bend the year before and earned the respect of the National media with their effort. LSU scored first on a touchdown pass from Bert Jones to Andy Hamilton, but the Irish recovere a fumble and look poised to tie it up as they face a 4th and inches at the LSU 1 yard line, but the Tigers stuffed an Irish runner and began the legend of some great South End Zone goal line stands. OF course who could forget LSU stopping Ole Miss 12 years earlier in the same end zone back in 1959. LSU would stop the Irish two more times inside the 10 yard line and Andy Hamilton added another touchdown for 14-0 haltime lead. Hamilton would score one more touchdown and Bert Jones added another for the 28-8 win. Fans stormed the field in celebration as the Tigers would go on play in the Sun Bowl later that year.

1972 LSU 17 Ole Miss 16
LSU was a prohibitive favorite going into this game, but an inspired Ole Miss team lead the Tigers 16-10 with a little more than 3 minutes to go in the game. The Tigers began an 80 yard drive as Bert Jones marched them down the field. He completed a key 4th down pass to Jimmy Ledoux to keep the drive alive and Brad Boyd missed LeDoux on an end around pass with less than a minute to go. LeDoux dropped a Bert Jones Pass with 1 second to go in the game. Ole Miss fans could not believe that time did not run out on the play because their were 4 seconds left as the play began. Bert Jones lofted a touchdown pass to Brad Davis, which Davis said he lost in the lights. That made the score 16-16 Rusty Jackson added the PAT for the victory. LSU would go to 7-0 for the first time since 1959, but would meet the Alabama machine the following week in Birmingham and suffer a 35-21 loss, which was not as close as the score indicated. The Tigers would finish 9-1-1 that year, but only garner an invitation to the Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl that year and lost to Tennessee 24-17. Ole Miss would be absent from the bowls for many years after that season.

1973 LSU 33 South Carolina 29
This was not a good Gamecock team, but it was over Paul Dietzel in Columbia. Dietzel would lead his Gamecocks into Tiger Stadium in the initial contest of 1966 as the Tigers prevailed 28-12 that year. 1973 would be his final season in coaching. The Gamecocks jumped to a 12-0 lead and lead the Tigers 29-26 late in the game, but Mike Miley ran in for a touchdown with less than a minute to play. The Gamecocks were not through and the Tigers had to withstand one final onslarught. Dietzel would later serve as Athletic Director at LSU from 1978 to 1982.

1973 LSU 51 Ole Miss 14
LSU jumped all over the Rebels for their first win in Jackson over the Rebels since 1934. Brad Davis rushed for many yards and the Tigers passed at will inlcuding a halfback pass. LSU would go to 8-0 and would be 9-0 before losing to Alabama 21-7 on Thanksgiving night. The Tigers would still earn an Orange Bowl invitation against Penn State, but would suffer a 14-0 loss to Tulane that year. LSU would lose to Tulane 31-28 in 1982 when they next went to Orange Bowl.

1975 LSU 42 Tulane 6
LSU and Tulane would both have 4-7 records, but it was the first game for LSU in the SuperDome and it enabled LSU exorcise the 14-0 loss years earlier. LSU did pretty much what they wanted and it would mark the end of the Bennie Ellender regime.

1976 LSU 6 Nebraska 6
This was not a win, but it was a tie against then #1 Nebraska as LSU has a chance to beat the Huskers, but missed a late field goal. LSU would only finish 6-4-1 and the howls for his ouster started gaining momentum that year as he would last 3 more seasons. LSU would later reunite with this class gentleman.

1977 LSU 28 Ole Miss 21
LSU fell behind 21-0, but fought back on this afternoon in Jackson Memorial Stadium. Steve Ensmnger lead the Tigers back by throwing two touchdown passes and running for two more as scored the final one with less than a minute to go after a Willie Teal interception.

1979 LSU 27 Ole Miss 24
LSU fell behind 17-0 in this game in Jackson Memorial Stadium, but fought back and Willie Teal saved the day as he ended Ole Miss's last drive with an interception in the Tiger end zone.

1979 Tangerine Bowl LSU 34 Wake Forest 10
This was Coach Mac's final game and the Tigers did not dissappoint the faithful and Coach Mac. LSU dominated throughout and Caoch Mac would go on to become Executive Director of this game and make it into a premier New Year's Day game, which was the Citrus Bowl and is now the Capital One Bowl. Caoch Mac would also do an oustanding job as Head of the American Football Coaches Association. LSU reunited with this class gentleman later and moruned his death in December of 2001 along with countless others.

As the decade of the 1980's began, the LSU football program suffered a tremendous tragedy. Bo Rein, 34, and a rising star in the coaching profession was chosen after a lengthy search for a replacement for Charlie McClendon. McClendon had spent 18 years at the helm of the LSU football program. He was forced out as a result of a November meeting in 1978. McClendon was to coach the Tigers in 1979 and then serve as Assistant Athletic Director for the last two years of his contract. That spring he chose to become Director of the fledgling Tangerine Bowl in Orlando, Florida. His work with the bowl made a huge impact and it would later become known as the Citrus Bowl and today is called the Capital One Bowl. It has the highest payout of the Non BCS-Bowls. McClendon would continue to serve the coaching profession as Executive Director of the American Football Coaches Association. He did great work there. He is credited with making inroads in the rights and protections for Assistant Coaches. McClendon eventually reunited with LSU, which was to the Bayon Bengals benefit. His contributions to LSU were many.

Bo Rein was a rising star and great things were expected for the program. He had come from North Carolina State where his final team had a 7-4 record. His enthusiasm was contagious. His strength was in recruiting. He appeared off to a great start. He had put his staff together. Optimism abounded in Red Stick as the 1980's began. Rein set out for a recruiting trip to Shreveport on January 8, 1980. A recruit's parents accompanied him to the airport where they expressed concern because of heavy rains that night. Rein shrugged them off and climbed aboard a flight, which would fatefully end over the Atlantic Ocean off of the North Carolina coast. Rein and the pilot lost conciusness as the flight lost pressure and the occupants apparently lost oxygen. The flight climbed as high as 10,000 feet. Rein's life ended before he would ever coach a game for LSU. He would leave behind a wife and kids. Who knows what heights LSU would have reached under Bo Rein's leadership? We will never know. It was a tragic loss that dwarfs the importance of a football game. The next day Jerry Stovall was named head coach. Stovall would retain most of Rein's staff.

1980 LSU 24 Florida 7
Florida was coming off of 0-10-1 season, but were 4-0 this season and ranked in the Top 20. The game was being played in Gainesville and LSU was 2-2 with early season losses to Florida State 16-0 and the week before 17-7 to Rice in Houston. The jury was still out on Jerry Stovall. LSU came out with an inspired performance and jumped to 17-0 lead. Florida would close the gap to 17-7, but LSU added a late touchdown to salt away the victory.

1980 LSU 21 Auburn 17
This was a night the crowd helped the Tigers. The game seesawed back and forth as Malcom Scott put the Tigers ahead on touchdown reception. LSU lined up to punt late in the 4th quarter. Auburn broke through and blocked the kick and recovered the ball on LSU's 10 yard line. Jerry Stovall brought the team together and inspired them to hold on for 4 downs. On the first play, a wide open Auburn receiver dropped a sure touchdown pass. LSU held for two more downs and on 4t down, Marcus Quinn made a picturesque interception and almost returned it the distance, but more importantly LSU held on and ran out the clock to go to 4-2.

1980 LSU 17 Kentucky 10
LSU entered a game for the 3rd straight week as an underdog as they ventured to Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky threatened constantly in the first half, but could not get into the end zone. LSU had a 7-0 lead and was ahead 10-3 going into the 4th quarter. The Wildcats tied the game with about 7 minutes left in the game. Alan Risher took the Tigers on a drive that lead to the Tigers final touchdown with about a minute left in the game. LSU would go to 5-2 at this point in the season and 3-0 in the SEC.

1980 LSU 24 Tulane 7
LSU would get to 6-2 and 4-0 in the SEC and thoughts of the Sugar Bowl danced in Tiger Faithful's heads, but things came crushing down to earth as Alabama thumped the Tigers 28-7 in Tuscaloosa and Mississippi State took 24-24 halftime tie to a 55-31 thrashing of LSU. With SEC Title hopes dashed, LSU decided not to pursue a minor bowl and concentrate on Tulane. The Wave came into Tiger Stadium with a 7-3 record and a bid to the Hall of Fame Bowl in Brimingham, Alabama to be played against Arkansas. LSU had lost 24-13 to the Greenies the previous year in the SuperDome. It was a rainy night in Death Valley as Tulane jumped to a 7-0 lead and were threatening to score another, but Chris Williams jumped in front of a Wave receiver to intercept the ball. It provided a catalyst to the Tigers as LSU scored 3 touchdowns to lead 21-7 at the half. LSU would add a field goal for the final score. Things looked bright as 1981 approached, especially with the basketball program making it to the Final Four in Philadelphia that spring, but the Tigers would stumble to a 3-7-1 during the 1981 and the natives were restless.

1982 LSU 24 Florida 13
The Florida Gators were on the way up. They were ranked 4th in the country and coming off consecutive winning seasons and Charlie Pell was assembling a juggernaut. We would learn later that some of the juggernaut came at a price, which we would later find out to put them on probation. Anyway The Gators had wins over Miami, Southern California and Mississippi State and were hot, but Florida had not met LSU. LSU was coming off of 3 win season, but this was a different team with super freshmen coming in, Dalton Hilliard and Garry James. LSU was 2-0 with wins over Oregon State, 45-7 and Rice, 52-14. Both were in Death Valley. This would be played in what would later be named the Swamp. LSU fell behind 3-0 in the 1st quarter, but Alan Risher lead the Tigers back with a long completion and Dalton Hilliard capped off the drive with 10 yard run to put the Tigers up 7-3. After a field goal, Hilliard caught a short pass into a 45 yard touchdown. Hilliard would score one more touchdown and Florida would add a late touchdown and 2 point conversion for the final score. LSU would climb to # 16 in the rankings after the game.

1982 LSU 20 Alabama 10
UNTHINKABLE! was the headline the next day in the New Orleans Times Picayune the next day. In what Alabama coach, Paul Bear Bryant, would call their worst whipping since the 60's, LSU marched into Legion Field in Birmingham and left with a 20-10 victory, which did not tell the true story of LSU's dominance that November day in 1982. LSU jumped out early on Dalton Hilliard's 16 year run. Malcom Scott added a touchdown reception and Alabama fumbled the following kickoff. The Tigers added a field goal for 17-0 haltime lead. The Tide did not even manage a first down in the 1st half. Bama kicked a field goal early in the 3rd quarter and Dalton Hilliard fumbled on LSU's next possession, which Alabama converted for a quick touchdown pass. Just like that it was 17-10, but LSU bounced back and drove down and added a field goal and then dominated the rest of the game to take the win. Bear Bryant talked of retirement after this and would call it quits after this season. He would die of a heart attack in January of 1983. LSU moved into the Top Ten after this game, but it would be short lived as they lost the following week in Starkville, Mississippi to Mississippi State 27-24.

1982 LSU 55 Florida State 21
LSU had been blindsided the week before against Mississippi State, but the Orange and Gator Bowls put together a deal with the winner going to Miami and the loser heading to Jacksonville. The teams traded scores and were tied 14-14 late in the 2nd quarter. LSU added two touchdowns to close the half and go up 28-14. LSU continued their onslaught in the 2nd half as oranges reined down from the stands. Dalton Hilliard and Eric Martin had big games. LSU accepted their Orange Bowl invitation and moved back into the Top 10, but once again they would fall out with a shocking 31-28 loss the Tulane Green Wave in Tiger Stadium the following week.

1983 LSU 40 Washington 14
In what was the largest crowd in Tiger Stadium at the time, LSU entertained 80,000+ fans with a resounding victory over the Huskies. It would be the last time that Jerry Stovall would have any good will with LSU fans as LSU would lose to Florida, 31-17, Tennessee, 24-6 and Kentucky, 21-13 in the next 3 weeks. Even a victory over South Carolina in the middle of the season could not stem the tide. LSU would finish the season 4-7 and it would mark the end of the Jerry Stovall era.

1983 LSU 20 Tulane 7
This was a big win for two reasons. It was Jerry Stovall's final game as LSU coach. Stovall would go on to be very successful as Athletic Director at Louisiana Tech and then with the Baton Rouge Sports Foundation. He was a class gentelman and would leave the next coach, Bill Arnsparger with cupboard full of talent due his outstanding recruiting abilities. LSU jumped to an early lead 3-0, but Tulane scored right before the half to go up 7-3. LSU scored two second half touchdowns and a field goal for the final margin of victory. It started a string of victories over the Greenies, which has yet to be broken.

1984 LSU 27 Arizona 26
LSU opened the 1984 fooball season under Bill Arnsparger. The Tigers opened with a tie against Florida, 21-21 and Witchita State, 47-7. This game was a thriller. LSU jumpe out to a 3-0 lead, but the Wildcats returned an intercepted pass 90+ yards to grab the lead. The game would go back and forth. LSU went up by a touchdown, but Arizona added two long field goals and were driving at the game's end, but LSU stopped the Arizona QB short on the Wildcat's last posession.

1984 LSU 23 Southern California 3
LSU travelled to Los Angeles to face the USC Trojans in the Legendary Memorial Coliseum, the site of that previous summer's Olympic Games. The Trojans scored first, but that would be all they would get on the Tigers as LSU raced to a 14-3 halftime lead. LSU added a long field goal and touchdown pass for the convincing victory. Bill Arnsparger was hailed as hero as the Tigers flew back to Baton Rouge with a 3-0-1 record and a National Ranking.

1984 LSU 16 Alabama 14
LSU came into the game with a 6-1-1 record and trying to keep pace with the Florida Gators in their race to win the SEC Championship. It was a rainy day in Birmingham. LSU jumped out to a 7-0 lead, but the Tide came back to lead 14-7. The Tigers added a field goal to go into the half down 14-10. Michael Brooks broke through to block a Bama punt and LSU returned iinside the Bama 15 yard line. Dalton Hilliard scored a couple of plays later to give the Tigers a 2 point lead. LSU curiously went for 2 points so as to avoid a tie if the Tide would kick a field goal. A tie would have been harmful to LSU's chances to win the SEC. Alabama moved up and down the field, but could not dent the Tigers endzone or kick what would have been the winning field goal. LSU was outplayed, but left Legion Field with the win. LSU would miss out on the SEC Title the following week by losing to Mississippi State in Starkville 16-14, but it would not keep them out of the 1985 Sugar Bowl.

1984 Alabama 17 Auburn 15
LSU did not even play in this game, but like many Iron Bowls to follow, it would have huge repurcussions on LSU's season. Alabama raced to 17-7 lead, but Auburn closed the gap to 17-15 and were on Bama's 2 yard line and opted to go for on 4th down. Bo Jackson went the opposite way on the 4th down play. The War Eagles would get one more opportunity, but was wide right on last second 42 yard field goal. The celebration was heard all the way to Baton Rouge.

1985 LSU 17 Mississippi State 15
This was not a particularly good Mississippi State team, but it ended a 5 game streak the Bulldogs had against LSU and any win over the men from Starkville was welcome back then. The Bulldogs had beaten LSU 9 of their past 11 contests. LSU would win 5 in a row over State after that November night in Tiger Stadium and 14 of their next 17 games with Bulldogs.

1985 LSU 10 Notre Dame 7
LSU became the first SEC team to win in South Bend. It was the end of Notre Dame's experiment with high school legend coach Gerry Faust. Notre Dame jumped out to 7-0 lead. LSU got a field goal on the final play of the half to creep within 4 of the Irish. Notre Dame threatened to extend the lead in the second half, but Henry Thomas blocked short Irish field goal attempt and LSU marched down the field as Garry James scampered in from 3 yards out for the game's final points, but the drama did not end there. LSU intercepted an Irish pass on the next drive, but Dalton Hilliard would fumble and the Irish would have the ball on the LSU 34 yard line, Steve Rehage saved the day with an interception and as the ball bounced off of future Heisman Trophy winner, Tim Brown. It was a big win for LSU, but it would not garner any great bowl bid as LSU would settle for a Liberty Bowl bid in which they promptly tanked with an uninspired performance against Baylor in 21-7 loss.

1986 LSU 35 Texas A & M 17
The Texas Aggies, fresh off their previous season's Southwest Conference Title and Cotton Bowl victory over Auburn came into Tiger Stadium ranked in the Top 10. The Aggies were imposing and the game had an added twist with highly recruited Running Back, Harvey Williams shunning his home state Aggies to sign with the Tigers in the previous Spring. Texas A & M scored first, but LSU responded and the Aggies scored again, but LSU answered with long touchdown pass from Mickey Guidry to Sammy Martin. The score was tied 14-14 at the half. LSU opened the half with a Harvey Williams fumble, which the Aggies turned into 3 points, but the fact they only got a field goal seemed to spur the Tigers on. LSU marched down the field and Harvey went in from a yard out to give the Tigers 21-17 lead. LSU would add a touchdown pass from Tommy Hodson to Brian Kinchen in the 2rd Quarter and Michael Brooks capped things off with an interception return for the 35-17 win. LSU moved into to the Top 10 after this game. Things looked great for the Tigers. There was the successful debut of Freshman QB, Tommy Hodson and Freshman Running Back, Harvey Williams as well as an outstanding defense lead by Michael Brooks, but LSU would succumb to Miami of Ohio the next week, 21-12.

1986 LSU 28 Florida 17
This was an important game for the Tigers as LSU seeked to redeem itself from the Miami of Ohio debacle two weeks before. LSU ventured to Gainesville and jumped out to a 14-3 lead and had things well in hand when a stupid penalty for having too many men on the field negated a Florida missed field goal attempt and gave the Gators new life. Florida quickly scored and an LSU kick returner made a mental error on the ensuing kick off by instead of letting the kick off go out of bounds, he caught in full stride and went out at the LSU 3. Florida stopped LSU and quickly scored to go up 17-14. The Tigers bounced back and Victor Jones ran into the end zone to put the Tigers up 21-17 at the half. LSU stymied a 3rd Quarter Scoring attempt by the Gators with an end zone interception and clinched the game as Greg Jackson returned a pass intercetion for a touchdown late in the game. This would be LSU's last win in Gainesville until this year.

1986 LSU 14 Alabama 10
LSU refused to lose this game. Bama jumped out to 7-0 lead, but Mickey Guidry lead LSU back and capped the drive with a short touchdown run to tie the score. Tommy Hodson connected with Wendell Davis to make the score 14-7 at the half. Alabama added a field goal to inch closer to Tigers and were poised to take the lead as Bobby Humphrey fumbled into the end zone as he appeared to be going in for the go-ahead touchdown. Eric Hill picked off another Tide pass late in the game and the Tigers were able to run out the clock for the hard fought win. One wonders what would have happened had Humphrey not fumbled that ball. LSU would go on to win the SEC and Bill Arnsparger would resign to take the Florida Athletic Director's position. Mike Archer would become the head coach because of the desire to keep continuity with the program. Had Humphrey scored that touchdown and Alabama gone on to win the SEC instead of LSU, would there has been as much support for Archer? Maybe LSU would hired Steve Spurrier, who applied for the position or they may have hired two time Super Bowl winning coach, Mike Shanahan, who was a finalist for the job. It is interesting to predict what either would have done for LSU football. As with the Bo Rein tragedy, we will never know.

1986 LSU 47 Mississippi State 0
LSU exorcised the ghosts of Mississippi State that night in Jackson. The Tigers did pretty much what they wanted as the Tigers clinced at least a share of their first Southeastern Conference Title in 16 years. Tommy Hodson and company were brilliant and LSU was helped by a 20-16 Georgia win over Auburn to knock the Plainsmen out SEC contention.

1986 LSU 21 Notre Dame 19
LSU completed a remarkable 3 week run by edging out the Irish in a thriller. Lou Holtz was in his first year at Notre Dame. He would lead them to a National Championship 2 years later. LSU drove down the field and scored first, but Tim Brown returned the following kick off 96 yards to knot the score. LSU jumped back ahead, but the Irish answered with a field goal and returned a Tommy Hodson interception inside the 5 yard line. The Tigers stiffened and forced the Irish to settle for a field goal to bring the score to 14-13. LSU went up 21-13 in the 4th quarter and appeared to be ready to put the game away with an interception, but Tommy Hodson got greedy and threw an intercpetion on the next play. Notre Dame came back and marched down the field to score a touchdown, but LSU thwarted a 2 point conversion attempt. The drama was far from over as LSU faced two 3rd and long opportunities and each time Tommy Hodson connected with Wendell Davis to keep drives alive and allow LSU to run out the clock. RUMORS WOULD START THE NEXT WEEK AGAINST TULANE ABOUT BILL ARNSPARGER LEAVING LSU TO GO TO FLORIDA. THEY WOULD TURN OUT TO BE TRUE.

Auburn 21 Alabama 17
Once again LSU did not play in this game, but this Iron Bowl matchup had huge implications on LSU's fortunes. LSU had secured at least a tie for the SEC Title, but needed Auburn to beat Alabama for LSU to win it outright. If Bama would win, then they would share the title with LSU and the Sugar Bowl would be forced to choose between the Tigers and the Tide. Given the Sugar Bowl's propensity for wanting a team who would bring fans to stay for a week in the Crescent city, which LSU being only 80 miles away in Baton Rouge, many Tiger fans worried that the Tide would be chosen despite of the fact that LSU had beaten the Tide 14-10 3 weeks earlier. LSU fans breathed a sigh of relief as Lawyer Tillman scored on an end around late in the game to cap an Auburn comeback victory by the score of 21-17. LSU had the outright SEC Title and a trip to the Sugar Bowl to face Nebraska. After LSU's win over Tulane that night, Bill Arsnaparger resigned to take the Athletic Diretor's job at Florida. Arnsparger wasn't much of an AD because he opposed the hiring of Steve Spurrier to lead the Gator's fortunes. Florida convinced him otherwise and he was back coaching the San Diego Chargers defense a few years later. They did make the Super Bowl in 1994 only to be routed by the San Francisco 49ers 49-26 ub Super Bowl XXIX. LSU would lose to Nebraska 30-15 in the Sugar Bowl, which was Arnsparger's final game as an LSU coach. The Mike Archer era was set to begin in 1987.

1987 LSU 17 Texas A & M 3
This was the first game of the Mike Archer era and it started with a bang. LSU was a slight favorite going into College Station. It had been many years since LSU had ventured to the Lone Star state to play the Aggies. When the two teams would meet on the gridiron in the 60's and 70's it was always played in Tiger Stadium. This was a new day though. LSU controlled the line of scrimmage and jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first half. LSU's defense stymied the Aggies and kept them out of the end zone all night. Mike Archer was off to a great start and LSU had thoughts of a possible National Championship dancing in their heads as they returned to Baton Rouge.

1987 LSU 42 Ole Miss 13
LSU was ranked in the Top 5 and was a prohibitive favorite as they journeyed up I-55 to Jackson for this renewal of a once great rivalry in Southern Football. Ole Miss had shocked the Tigers the previous year in Baton Rouge by a 21-19 score. LSU was looking for a little payback and Tommy Hodson waisted little time as he hit Wendell Davis for a long touchdon. Ole Miss responded with a score of their own to knot things up. LSU went back ahead and Ole Miss added a field goal to make the score 14-10 in LSU's favor at the half. Ole Miss would complete a long pass to open the 2nd half. The Rebels were inside LSU's 5 yard line, but the Tigers held and Ole Miss only was able to muster a field goal. With the score 14-13, Tommy Hodson marched the Tigers down for a score, but he suffered an injury as he threw a touchdown pass and had to leave the game. LSU added 3 more touchdowns for the final margin of victory. Hodson hobbled out of Jackson on crutches. His time was limited the next week against Alabama. The Tide shocked the Tigers 22-10 in Tiger Stadium and thoughts of a National Championship ended that night.

1987 LSU 41 Tulane 36
This was one of the most exciting games ever played in the LSU/Tulane series. LSU was a big favorite. This would be Mack Brown's last game in the SuperDome as coach of the Wave as he would leave to take the North Carolina job the next season. LSu started out with a quick touchdown and took a 21-7 lead into the dressing room at intermission, but the Greenies came out firing in the second half and had a 36-35 lead late in the 4th quarter, but Tommy Hodson completed critical 4th and 7 conversiion and Eddie Fuller ran in from more than 30 yards to put the Tigers up. The Wave was firing at the end, but ran out of time.

Dec 31, 1987 Gator Bowl LSU 30 South Carolina 13
LSU came into the game a 3 point underdog. More than 30,000 South Carolinians attended the game in Jacksonville. Everything pointed to a Gamecock win, but Tommy Hodson hooked up with Wendell Davis for 3 touchdowns and the Tiger's defense totally dominated the Gamecocks. LSU finished with their first 10 win season in 26 years and garnered a #5 ranking in the final polls, which was also the highest ranking for an LSU since 1961. Mike Archer's first campaigh of 10-1-1 was a successful one.

1988 LSU 27 Texas A & M 0
LSU picked up where they had left off the previous season with a resounding vicotory over the Aggies. LSU ran through Texas A & M and held them out of the end zone for the second consecutive year.

1988 LSU 34 Tennessee 9
This was not a good Tennessee team. As a matter of fact, they lost their first 6 games, but in Knoxville where the Tigers had never won. Tommy Hodason was a surgeon as he picked apart the Volunteer secondary and Slip Watkins added a touchdown. Talk started of the Tigers challenging for a National Championship, but it quickly end due to LSU's meltdown the following week in Columbus, Ohio against Ohio State as LSU let a 33-20 evaporate in the game's final 4 minutes to lose 36-33. LSU would lose 19-6 to Florida the following week and the SEC Title was all they had to play for after that.

1988 LSU 7 Auburn 6
This was called the Earthquake game. When Tommy Hodson completed a 4th down pass to Eddie Fuller for a touchdown, the sound coming out of Tiger Stadium measured on the Richter Scale in the Geology Department. The Tigers played tough defense limiting Auburn to 2 field goals before their final drive. LSU only crossed midfield twice that night, but that last drive was huge as Hodson completed a key 4th down pass to Willie Williams. The big tight end had to bowl over two Auburn defenders to get the critical 1st down. Hodson actually completed a pass in the end zone to Fuller on 1st down following William's catch, but Eddie was ruled out of bounds. After the touchdown, Auburn came right back and Auburn Quarterback, Reggie Slack overthrew a wide open Lawyer Tillman on 4th down with the War Eagle close to midfield.

1988 LSU 15 Kentucky 12
LSU suffered a post Auburn hangover and were almost beaten by the Wildcats that October night in Tiger Stadium. It wasn't until the 4th quarter when LSU went ahead. Tommy Hodson was stymied much of the night with the Wildcats limiting his ability to throw long. It was not pretty, but it was a win and that's what counted in the SEC.

1988 LSU 19 Alabama 18
This one was a classic. Alabama jumped out to a 15-0 lead, but the Tigers scored a touchdown before the half to make in 15-7. The Tigers added a field goal and a long touchdown pass to Tony Moss to take a 16-15 lead. Bama added a field goal to go ahead and almost completed a long pass on what would have been a clinching socre late in the 4th quarter, but Tommy Hodson drove the Tigers back. He completed a long pass to Tony Moss and had a pass dropped in the end zone, but David Browndyke kicked a 34 yard field goal with 18 seconds left. The drama was far from over as Alabama barely missed a 52 field goal on the game's final play.

1988 LSU 20 Mississippi State 13
LSU journeyed to Starkville and dominated the Bulldogs to earn a share of the SEC Title for the 2nd time in 3 years. LSU was holding onto a precarious 13-3 lead when Greg Jackson returned an interception 100 yards for the final score of the game. LSU would not win another SEC Title until last year. The Tigers shared the title with Auburn that year as the Plainsmen beat Alabama in the Iron Bowl and earned a trip to the Sugar Bowl, while LSU settled for a date with Syracuse in the Hall of Fame Bowl in Tampa, which would later become the Outback Bowl. LSU would lose 23-13 ro Syracuse in an uninspired effort. LSU would have 6 straight losing seasons following this game.

There were no big wins by LSU in 1989

1990 LSU 17 Texas A & M 8
This was the only bright spot in Mike Archer's final year in Baton Rouge. LSU and Texas A & M battled to a scoreless tie in the first half, but the Tigers kicked a field goal in the 3rd quarter and Todd Kinchen put on a one man show by returning one punt to set up a score and turning a short pass into a long touchdown. LSU would lose 5 straight to the Aggies after this one.

1991 LSU 16 Vanderbilt 14
This was Vanderbilt and the Commodores had shocked LSU 24-21 the year before in Nashville when Todd Kinchen had a touchdown pass taken away on the game's final play on an offensive inteference call. That helped to set in motion Mike Archer's demise. This was Curley Hallman's first team and the Tigers were 0-2 with losses resounding losses to Georgia and Texas A & M on the road to open the season. The Tigers trailed Gerry DiNardo's Commodores through much of the game, but managed to go ahead late in the game. Vanderbilt drove down inside the 5 yard line, but a ferocious hit on a Vanderbilt caused a fumble and Tiger defender almost ran all the way, but it was big because the TIGERS DID NOT GO TO 0-3. THE NEXT TIME THESE TWO TEAMS MET, GERRY DINARDO WOULD BE THE LSU COACH.

CURLEY'S LSU TEAMS CLOSED 1991 WITH BIG WINS OVER KENTUCKY AND OLE MISS AND PUT UP GREAT EFFORTS AGAINST FLORIDA STATE AND ALABAMA TO FINISH 5-6 AND GREAT THINGS WERE EXPECTED FROM THE TIGERS IN 1992. LSU FINISHED 1992 AT 2-9 AND THE WOLVES WERE HOWLING GOING INTO 1993.

1993 LSU 18 Mississippi State 16
Andre LaFleur kicked 49 yard field goal and added a short one with seconds left against the Bulldogs to give LSU a 1-1 record and 1-0 in the SEC as the Tigers returned home against Auburn. LSU would go into a tailspin after that one until they faced Ole Miss.

1993 LSU 19 Ole Miss 17
LSU fell behind the Rebels, but fought back to take a 2 point lead late in the game. Ole Miss drove deep into Tiger territory and lined up for the game winning field goal attempt. 7 years earlier LSU missed a field goal attempt in a similar situation to lose by two. This time Ole Miss suffered the same fate as Curley Hallman was able to silence the critics for one more week.

1993 LSU 17 Alabama 13
This was the most shocking result of the LSU/Alabama series in recent memory. LSU came into the game 25 point underdogs against the defending National Champions. After a scoreless 1st half LSU scored two touchdowns and held off a lste Alabama rally as the Tigers came into Bryant-Denny Stadium and ended the Tide's 26 game unbeaten streak. Hallman definitely had the critics off of his back as LSU actually was in good shape to go to the Carquest Bowl in Ft Lauderdale if they could win their remaining two games, but a loss to Arkansas in the last game ended LSU's hopes and put Hallman back on the hotseat.

1994 LSU 30 Arkansas 12
This was Curley Hallman's final game as the Tiger coach as he went out in style at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. It was significant because the Razorbacks had beaten LSU the two previous years and they would become a chief rival to the Tigers. LSU would win this game in 1995, 1996 and 1997 before the Hogs would turn the trick in Houston Nutt's first year. THE CURLEY HALLMAN ERA WAS OVER AND THINGS BRIEFLY TOOK A TURN FOR THE BETTER AS GERRY DINARDO PREPARED TO TAKE OVER THE REINS OF THE TIGER PROGRAM.

1995 LSU 34 Mississippi State 16
LSU began the Gerry DiNardo era with a 33-17 loss to Texas A & M in College Station the previous week. They were competitive, but made some key mistakes which cost them. In this game they jumped on Mississippi State in the 2nd quarter and went into the half with a 17-10 lead. Freshman Running Back, Kevin Faulk had a stellar day and LSU closed out with a decisive victory in Starkville.

1995 LSU 12 Auburn 6
"Bring Back The Magic" was the theme of Gerry DiNardo's first canpaign as LSU had suffered through 6 straight losing season before his arrival. It was a magical night for the home opener for LSU in Tiger Stadium. LSU jumped to the lead and was up by 6 points as Auburn began its final drive of the game. They were inside the 10 yard line when they lofted a pass on the game's final play. LSU intercepted the pass on the game's last play, which set off a boisterous celebration. For the first time since 1990, the Tigers had more games in the win column than in the loss column.

1995 LSU 38 Ole Miss 10
LSU dominated this game throughout and got what was a rare win over a Tommy Tubberville coached team. This game was significant in that it guaranteed that LSU would not have a losing season for the first time in 6 years. They were 5-4-1 with one game left and the opportunity to go to a bowl game.

1995 LSU 28 Arkansas 0
It was simple. If LSU won this game, they would have a wining record for the first time in 6 years and also get a bowl invitation, most likely to the Independence Bowl. Arkansas had clinched the SEC West Title and looked formidable, but Freshman Quarterback Herb Tyler was ready as he directed the Tigers to a 28-0 lead with touchdowns by Kendall Cleveland and Shedrick Wilson. LSU shut out the Razorbacks in the 2nd half and were bound for the Independence Bowl for a date with Michigan State, which was coached by Nick Saban.

1995 Independence Bowl LSU 45 Michigan State 26
This was LSU's first bowl game since the 1989 Hall of Fame Bowl. The town of Shreveport was excited about hosting the Tigers. Michigan State stuck first with long Touchdown pass and after falling behind 14-13 on an Eddid Kennison kickoff return, the Spartans returned the favor with a kickoff return of their own to go up 21-14. Kevin Faulk quickly answered a long touchdown run to tie things up, but the Spartans added a field goal to go up at the half. LSU scored early in the 3rd quarter to go up by 4 and Gabe Northern returned a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Herb Tyler lofted a touchdown pass and Wade Richey added a long field goal and LSU had a resounding victory over Michigan State. Little did fans know that they would be looking at a future great coach on the opposing team's sideline in Nick Saban who would join the Tigers 4 years later.

1996 LSU 35 Houston 34
The 1996 season started with great promise and a pre-season Top 25 ranking for the first time since 1989. LSU fell behind 34-14 as the 4th quarter began. Kevin Faulk returned a punt for a touchdown and LSU was within 13 points. The Tigers added a touchdown and crept to with 6 points. LSU got the ball back and Rondell Mealey didn't dissappoint the faithful on long touchdown scamper for the game's final points. The Tigers squeaked by and prepared for the next game against Auburn.

1996 LSU 19 Auburn 15
LSU journeyed to the Plains of Auburn for the second game of 1996. The game was an exciting one. In the first half, fans noticed a fire, which blazed close to the stadium as the Old Field House burned down due to a careless tailgater who did check to see if his ashes were out when he dumped his pit. LSU lead at the half and things looked good as the Tigers returned an interception for a toucdown to put them up 17-9 in the final quarter but the War Eagles drove down the field and scored late in the game to pull within two. However on the 2 point conversion, LSU intercepted and returned the 2 point try to put the Tigers up 19-15. The exceitement wasn't over as Auburn recovered an onside kick. Denard Walker ended Auburn's hopes with an interception. This was a big win for the Tigers.

1996 Peach Bowl LSU 10 Clemson 7
LSU achieved its first 10 win season since 1987 with this victory. Atlanta has been a kind place to LSU and this game held true to form. Clemson scored first, but Herb Tyler answered with a 15 yard touchdown run. LSU added a field goal for the final score, but the excitement didn't end. The Tigers missed a chance to put some distance between them and the Clemson Tigers when David La Fleur dropped a Herb Tyler pass in the endzone. Clemson lined up for a 51 yard field goal attempt, but Mark Roman blocked the Orange Clad Tigers final attempt. LSU ended the season 10-2 and ranked 13th in the country.

1997 LSU 7 Vanderbilt 6
This was not one of LSU's great all time performances, but it had an interesting side note. Gerry DiNardo came back to Nashville to face his former team, the Vanderbilt Commodores. He almost left with an embarrassing loss. After a scoreless 1st half, LSU went ahead on a Herb Tyler to Larry Foster touchdown pass. With 12 seconds left Vanderbilt scored a touchdown, but twice received delay of game penalites when trying to get off a 2 point conversion. After that Vanderbilt lined up to kick a PAT, which was blocked to preserve the victory. This was more a WHEW!! type game. It would have been similar to the 1990 embarrassment had the Commodores prevailed. LSU's season would have been a disaster had they lost this game.

LSU 28 Florida 21
LSU came off the near embarrassment at Vanderbilt to host the top ranked and defending National Champion Florida Gators in Tiger Stadium. LSU was an inspired bunch of Tigers as Herb Tyler ran 50 yards for a toucdown off of an option play in the first quarter. The Tigers got another quick score on a Tommy Banks 11 yard run to go up 14-0. Tiger fans were ecstatic!! Florida was not the defending National Champions for nothing though as they would score twice to tie it up as the teams entered the final quarter. Cedric Donaldson intercepted a Gator pass and returned it for a touchdown as the decibel level in Death Valley reached the stratosphere! ON the ensuing kickoff LSU recovered a Florida fumble and if there would have been a roof on Tiger Stadium, it would have blew off!! The Tigers quickly scored to make 28-14. But as I mentioned, these were the defending National Champions and they would not quit. Florida responded with a touchdown drive and LSU was faced with trying to hold on and run out the clock. Herb Tyler completed a key 3rd down pass to Abram Booty to clinch the game and the fans stormed the field to celebrate LSU's first ever win over a top ranked team and its first win and only win over a Steve Spurrier team as a coach or player.

1997 LSU 27 Alabama 0
This was not a good Alabama team. They would finish 4-7, but they were Alabama and the game was in Tuscaloosa, so it was special because of the way LSU had dominated the Tide in this game. LSU quickly opened the game with a fumble recovery for touchdown and added another to lead by two touchdowns at the half. They added two more in the second half to put an exclamation point on the rout.

1997 Independence Bowl LSU 27 Notre Dame 9
Gerry DiNardo and the LSU Tigers were soundly beaten by his alma mater 6 weeks earlier in Baton Rouge on a cold and blustery day in Tiger Stadium by a score of 24-6. The Independence Bowl made it possible for a rematch with the Irish and Tiger fans lined up for tickets to this game. LSU donned Gold Jerseys and White Pants for the game. It was a cold and rainy night in Shreveport. The Irish took a 6-3 lead into the halftime dressing room, but LSU came out and quickly tied the game up with a field goal and Herb Tyler hit Abram Booty to give the Tigers a lead for the first time in both meetings. The Irish added a field goal, but Rondell Mealey took over with a long run and the Tigers scored on a short run and added another late touchdown to win by 18 points, which was the same margin of victory for the Irish 6 weeks earlier. It was a sweet win for LSU and especially Coach DiNardo. The game was marred by the impomtu performance of a partially clad streakier in the 2nd quarter who was eventually caught and dragged away by the police. LSU fans anxiously awaited 1998.

1998 was year of great promise as LSU was picked to win the West and achieved a #6 National Ranking going into their matchup with Georgia, but the Tigers would lose 7 of their last 8 games to finish 4-7.

1999 LSU 35 Arkansas 10
The Gerry DiNardo era had come to an end. He was fired 11 days before after the Tigers had dropped a 20-7 decision to the Houston Cougars in Tiger Stadium. LSU stood 2-8 coming into the game and the talk was sprinkled with names on who would be the next coach. Rich Rodriquez, the Offensive genius at Tulane in 1998 when the Greenies finished 12-0 was one of the favorites. Mark Richt, the Florida State Offensive Coordinator was another. Tiger fans were in for a big surprise the following week. With all the speculation surrounding who would be the next coach, the Tigers still had to play a game and the Arkansas Razorbacks presented a formidable challenge for the Tigers. The Hogs entered the game a 12 point favorite and were primed for a romp. LSU was coached by Hal Hunter for this game. Arkansas came out and scored a field goal to capture a quick lead. After Josh Booty, the Starting Quarterback, was ineffective, Rohan Davey took over and inspired the Tigers. LSU quickly piled on touchdowns. One play that I vividly remember was Tommy Banks taking out two Razorbacks on a block as Domanick Davis scooted in for a touchdown. This was played on national television and the game demonstrated the potential that LSU offered an incoming coach. The boos that permeated Tiger Stadium in 1999 were non-existent on this day. The Tigers took back the boot and were had something for a new coach to build upon. LSU Chancellor, Mark Emmert pulled a coup with the signing of Nick Saban to be the next coach on the following week. Saban had been a successful head coach at Toledo and Michigan State and a respected NFL assistant coach. His last Spartan team went 9-2 and earned an invitation to the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. His team, coached by Bobby Williams in that game, defeated the Florida Gators 34-31. Excitement abounded as we entered the new millenium.

2000 LSU 38 Tennessee 31
The Saban era began with LSU winning their first two games over Western Carolina (58-0) and Houston (28-13), but losing to Auburn (34-17) and Alabama Birmingham (13-10). The Auburn loss was not one to hang their heads about as the War Eagles would win the West and the game was played in Jordan-Hare Stadium. The UAB loss was another thing. The Tigers trailed for most of the game, but managed to pull even by the 4th quarter. Late in the game Josh Booty miscommunicated with a receiver and threw an interception. The Blazers kicked a field goal on the game's final play for the win. UAB did not even field a football team years earlier. There was a sense of urgency as the Tigers entered the field for a date with the Tennessee Volunteers. Tennessee was two years removed from winning the National Championship and a formidable foe. LSU started out on fire with Rohan Davey taking over the reins at Quarterback. The Tigers lead 31-15 going into the 4th quarter, but Casey Clausen brought the Vols back to tie the game. LSU missed a field goal on the final play of regulation, but quickly grabbed the lead on a Rohan Davey to Robert Royal connection in overtime. LSU stuffed the Vols on a 4th down pass attempt from the 3 yard line. Fans blanketed the field and tore down the goal posts after the win. Was the magic back? It was still open to debate.

2000 LSU 45 Mississippi State 38
Three weeks later LSU had another overtime thriller with the Mississippi State Bulldogs. The Dogs had beaten Florida earlier in the year and were primed to win the SEC West. LSU came into the game 4-3 minus Rohan Davey who had reinjured himself in a 41-9 loss to Florida two weeks earlier. The start time was 8 PM an hour later than normal and extra time for Tiger fans to get fueled up. MSU struck first on a long touchdown pass. LSU would respond and the game would seesaw back and forth. The Bulldogs lead 31-17 going into the final quarter, but LSU became physical and dominated the line of scrimmage. They went ahead 38-31, but the Maroons added a late touchdown to send the game to overtime. LeBrandon Toefield scored from 11 yards out to put the Tigers up and LSU once again held on for a big victory.

2000 LSU 30 Alabama 28
Amid the backdrop of the 2000 presidential election match up between George W Bush and Vice President Al Gore, LSU prepared for a date with the Alabama Crimson Tide. This was again not a very good Tide Team. They had been beaten by Central Florida the week before, but LSU had not beaten Alabama in Baton Rouge since 1969 and the Tigers were anxious to turn the tables. LSU and Alabama went back and forth. The Tide opened a 21-14 lead in the 4th quarter, but LSU roared back and scored a touchdown, but missed the PAT. Not to worry because LSU quickly forced a Bama fumble and Kicked a field goal to go up by 2. A very pivotal point in the game occurred with about 7 minutes left as a Tiger receiver appeared to be run into by a Tide player and he fumbled the ball. Replays would later show that he was blocked into the player by another Tiger. LSU recovered the ball, but the officials were mistakenly about to give the ball to the Tide. The Jumbotron was played over and over again showing a Tiger recovering the ball. Finally an official looked up and realized that LSU was in rightful possession of the ball. LSU took the ball and drove for a touchdown to go up by 9. The excitement wasn't over as LSU got the ball back and on 3rd down, Josh Booty inexplicably ran out of bounds on 3rd down with around 2 minutes left in the game. This gave the Tide enough time to drive down and score a touchdown to close the gap with 9 seconds left in the game. The issue wasn't decided until LSU recovered the ensuing onside kick. Fans stormed the field once again to celebrate the first win over the Tide in Death Valley in 31 years and the clinching of a winning season as the Tigers stood 6-3 at this point.

2000 LSU 20 Ole Miss 9
LSU ventured to Oxford to face a team they had not beaten since 1996. LSU was