July 05, 2010

Rooster News

Sign up for our Email Newsletter

Remember When....

I hope everyone is having a good summer.  I hope you have had no oil on your beaches and no flies at your picnics.

This is the time during the sports year that things are very slow.  The Tigers aren't in the CWS so the only thing to do is wait for football.  And maybe reminisce a little.  As I am sitting here trying to figure out what to write about this week, I thought about all of those wonderful Saturday nights (and a few days) I spent over the years in Tiger Stadium.  I thought about what games I remember the most.  So if you will allow me, here are my top games by decade in Tiger Stadium.  I invite you to share your most memorable games with me, also.

1950s -  Most people would say the 1959 Ole Miss game with Billy Cannon's run is the most memorable game of this decade.  At the time it probably was, but because of the loss the next week to Tennessee, I rate the 1958 Ole Miss game higher.  In that game the Tigers made a goal line stand and then dominated the game and won 14-0.  This led to their first national championship.

1960s -  I rate the 1961 Ole Miss game as my most memorable of this decade.  LSU won 10-7.  Jerry Stoval scored the Tigers only touchdown on a long run, and the Tigers held on late to stop an Ole Miss drive to win the game.  The Tigers finished that season 9-1 with an Orange Bowl win in Paul Dietzel's last game as an LSU coach.

1970s -  This one isn't even close.  The most memorable game has to be the 1972 Ole Miss game that LSU won on the last play of the game with a ten yard pass from Bert Jones to Brad Davis, with Rusty Jackson kicking the game winning PAT after time had expired.  Everyone knows about the clock controversy in that game.  That is one of the things that makes it so memorable.

The 1970s had the most satisfying win I have ever witnessed in Tiger Stadium - LSU 28 - Notre Dame 8.  Enough said!

1980s -  The most memorable game of this season has to be the 1982 Florida State game that was played for the Orange Bowl.  The winner of this game was to get the invitation to the Orange Bowl.  LSU prevailed 55-21.   It is the only time I have ever seen a team score three touchdowns while the other team never ran an offensive play from scrimmage.  I'll let you figure it out.

1990s -  This was the forgettable decade of Tiger football, except for one glorious moment in 1997.  The #1 ranked Florida Gators came to town for a Saturday night game on ESPN with Game Day in town.  It was Gerry Dinardo's high water mark as the Tigers' coach.  For the first time, the Tigers defeated a #1 ranked team and completely frustrated  Steve Spurrier's offensive machine 28-21.

2000s -  This has been the Golden Age of Tiger football, with three SEC championships and two national titles.  This one has had so many exciting, overtime, last play wins that it is hard to choose one favorite game.  However, the game I remember the most occurred early in the decade.  It was Nick Saban's first season as he tried to turn around Tiger fortunes on the football field.

It was an afternoon game on CBS versus the Tigers' old nemesis, Alabama.  The Tigers came from behind to defeat the Tide for the first time in Tiger Stadium since 1968, 30-28.  I remember it was the first time instant replay was used in a game (though unofficial) to change a call, the streaker on the field during a time out, and Dan Borne' saying at the beginning of the fourth quarter as the sun was setting, 的t's Saturday night in Tiger Stadiumand the place went nuts.