Auburn–LSU football rivalry

Tiger Bowl
First meetingNovember 20, 1901
Auburn, 28–0
Latest meetingOctober 14, 2023
LSU, 48–18
Statistics
Meetings total58
All-time seriesLSU leads, 30–24–1[1]
Largest victoryAuburn, 48–11 (2020)
Longest win streakLSU, 6 (1926–1937)
Current win streakLSU, 2 (2022–present)
Locations of Auburn and LSU

The Auburn–LSU football rivalry, also known as the Tiger Bowl,[2][3] is an American college football rivalry between the Auburn Tigers and the LSU Tigers. Both universities have been members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) since December 1932, but the rivalry dates back to 1901. Auburn and LSU have played every year since the SEC instituted divisional play in 1992. The LSU and Auburn football teams have met 58 times, with LSU holding the all-time lead 33–24–1. This annual matchup is known for wild endings, unusual events, and strong hostility. This rivalry game has been the source of several legendary SEC football games. Including "The Earthquake Game" and "The Barn Burner". CBS college football host Brad Nessler has described the Tiger Bowl as "Where anything can happen".

Notable games

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1902

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LSU beat Auburn in a hard-fought game 5–0. Captain Henry Landry scored the game's only touchdown.[4] "Nearly every business house in Baton Rouge closed at noon and everybody went to the game".[5] The trip to Louisiana made some Auburn players sick.[6]

1908

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In 1908, both teams were undefeated and competing for the top spot in the SIAA. LSU beat Auburn, 10–2, but both teams may claim SIAA championships, for LSU was charged with professionalism and for some stripped of the title. It was the only game of the season in which LSU did not win by more than 20 points. "We won every game that fall except LSU," Auburn star Walker Reynolds told Clyde Bolton in 1973. "But LSU had a pro team."

The first touchdown came from LSU's John Seip. Later, Auburn's T. C. Locke blocked a punt, recovered by LSU quarterback and Hall of Famer Doc Fenton in the endzone for an Auburn safety. According to one source, Fenton was knocked unconscious by a spectator's cane as he tried to get out of the end zone.[7] LSU made the second score using conventional football. LSU would finish the season with an undefeated record, but did not claim the national title.

Richter scale from LSU's campus during game winning touchdown in 1988

In 1988, #4 Auburn traveled to Tiger Stadium with national title aspirations. Auburn (4–0) entered the game outscoring its opponents 161–44, but were held to just two field goals. Auburn's outstanding defense kept LSU scoreless through 58 minutes. However, with 1:47 left, QB Tommy Hodson found RB Eddie Fuller open on a crossing pattern for a touchdown on fourth and goal. Ironically, it was the same play Fuller had caught on 1st and goal, only to step out of the back of the end zone. The crowd eruption was so intense that it registered as an earthquake on the seismograph located in LSU's Howe-Russell Geoscience Complex, though much of the lore surrounding the game is largely apocryphal.[8] Both Hodson and Fuller later said it was the most physical game of their college careers.[9] College Football News ranks this game as the 17th best finish in the history of college football.[10] Auburn would have likely played Notre Dame for the National Championship had they beaten LSU, as Auburn finished the season with six consecutive wins, giving up only 31 points in the process. Auburn and LSU shared the SEC crown though Auburn went to the Sugar Bowl.

1994 – Five 4th Quarter Interceptions

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Auburn was on a 14-game winning streak when LSU traveled to Auburn in 1994, but it was LSU who led 23–9 entering the fourth quarter. LSU quarterback Jamie Howard threw five fourth quarter interceptions—three were returned for touchdowns—as Auburn extended their winning streak to 15 games with a 30–26 win. Auburn made one first down in the second half, yet scored 27 points in the comeback. Multiple players were hospitalized for dehydration after the game.[11] After the loss, LSU QB Jamie Howard received multiple threats.

1996 – "The Barn Burner"

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LSU defeated Auburn 19–15 in 1996 while the old Auburn Sports Arena, affectionately called "the Barn", burned to the ground across the street from Jordan–Hare Stadium.[12] After scoring a touchdown, Auburn trailed 17–15 and attempted the two-point conversion for the tie. However, LSU intercepted the pass and returned it for a defensive two-point conversion and a 19–15 win. The cause of the fire was officially undetermined,[13] though according to investigators the most probable cause was a grill placed too close to the building by tailgaters, possibly to take cover from heavy rainfall.[13] The fire was shown during ESPN's national broadcast,[14] flames being seen as high as the Jordan-Hare east upper-deck. The game was never delayed, and the Auburn public address announcer continually advised fans: "The flames [were] outside the stadium." Because of the fire and the thrilling finish, the game became known as the "Barn Burner" or "The Night The Barn Burned".

1999 – Victory Cigars

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On coach Tommy Tuberville's birthday, Auburn blew out LSU 41–7 during a rare day game in Baton Rouge. In celebration, Auburn players and coaches smoked cigars on the field at Tiger Stadium, much to the chagrin of LSU players and fans. The intensity of the rivalry grew with this game, and cigars are still seen stands during this matchup. This would be Auburn's last victory in Tiger Stadium until 2021, and the cigars were often referenced as bad luck in causing Auburn's 20 year drought in Tiger Stadium. Years later, Auburn head coach, Tommy Tuberville commented on his team's victory cigars in 1999 that preceded the losing streak in tiger Stadium. "I guess you could call it 'The curse of the cigar,'" said Tuberville.

2001 – Revenge Cigars

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The 2001 matchup was originally scheduled for September 15, but was moved to December 1 after the September 11 terrorist attacks. LSU fans were eager for a victory over Auburn after feeling disrespected during the last matchup in Tiger Stadium, when Auburn players smoked cigars on LSU's field after defeating the Bayou Bengals, 41–7.

Auburn returned to Tiger Stadium in 2001 with similar behavior. During the pregame warm-ups, Auburn players stomped on LSU's midfield "Eye of the Tiger" logo, resulting in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Kicking off from the 50-yard line, LSU recovered the onside kick at the Auburn 36 and scored a touchdown six plays later.

Tensions escalated further when Auburn special teams began their post-halftime warm-ups while the LSU Marching Band was still performing its halftime routine. Kicker Damon Duval got into a squabble with two band members. Later, Tuberville sent a letter of apology to band leader Frank Wickes for Duval's behavior.

LSU ultimately prevailed, 27–14, over Auburn. After the victory, LSU fans mocked Auburn by smoking cigars in the stadium. This game began a 20-year losing streak in Tiger Stadium for Auburn.

2016 – Last Second for Les

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In 2016, unranked Auburn led #18 LSU by the score of 18–13 with 2:56 left in the game. LSU drove the ball 60 yards to the Auburn 10-yard line with less than 30 seconds remaining. After 3 unsuccessful plays, LSU faced 4th down with the game clock running and only a few seconds remaining. LSU QB Danny Etling quickly approached the line of scrimmage and snapped the ball to give his team one more chance for a victory. Etling avoided a sack by running to the sideline where he threw to the back corner of the endzone to wide receiver DJ Chark for a touchdown with no time left on the clock. The referee signaled touchdown and the LSU players began to celebrate believing they had won the game. However, the referees quickly announced the previous play was under review. After further review, it was determined by the officiating staff that LSU QB Danny Etling did not snap the ball until after the game clock hit 0:00, meaning the game was over and the last play did not count. This ruling gave Auburn the 18–13 victory and LSU their 2nd loss in the first 4 games of the 2016 season. This rough start to the 2016 season along with the disappointment of the 2015 season, led to the firing of LSU head coach Les Miles the following Sunday.

2017 – LSU's comeback

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In 2017, #8 Auburn led unranked LSU, 20–0, in the 2nd quarter. After a few successful drives and defensive improvements, LSU shrank Auburn's lead to 23–14 at the start of the 4th quarter. LSU continued their comeback with a 75-yard punt return for a touchdown by D.J. Chark and 2 field goals by kicker Conner Culp to clinch the victory with a 27–23 win over Auburn. This game remains as the largest comeback in the LSU–Auburn series.

2021

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Auburn and first-year head coach Bryan Harsin travelled to Death Valley to play LSU for the first SEC contest of the 2021 season and completed a comeback from being down, 13–0, to win, 24–19. Auburn quarterback Bo Nix, who was benched the previous week against Georgia State in favor of backup quarterback and LSU transfer T.J. Finley (who made his first SEC start at Auburn the year prior, in a 48–11 Auburn victory on Halloween night), passed for 255 yards and 1 touchdown while running for 74 yards and another touchdown en route to snapping a 10-game losing steak in Tiger Stadium and securing Auburn's first win in Baton Rouge since Tommy Tuberville's first season as head coach in 1999.

Future

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With Oklahoma and Texas joining the SEC in 2024, Auburn and LSU will not play every year. Auburn and LSU will not play one another in 2024 or 2025.

Game results

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Auburn victoriesLSU victoriesTie gamesVacated wins
No.DateLocationWinning teamLosing team
1 November 20, 1901 Baton Rouge, LA Auburn 28 LSU 0
2 October 27, 1902 Baton Rouge, LA LSU 5 Auburn 0
3 November 11, 1903 Auburn, AL Auburn 12 LSU 0
4 October 31, 1908 Auburn, AL LSU 10 Auburn 2
5 November 9, 1912 Mobile, AL Auburn 7 LSU 0
6 November 1, 1913 Mobile, AL Auburn 7 LSU 0
7 October 25, 1924 Birmingham, AL Auburn 3 LSU 0
8 October 16, 1926 Montgomery, AL LSU 10 Auburn 0
9 October 15, 1927 Montgomery, AL LSU 9 Auburn 0
10 October 13, 1934 Baton Rouge, LA LSU 20 Auburn 6
11 November 2, 1935 Baton Rouge, LA LSU 6 Auburn 0
12 November 14, 1936 Birmingham, AL #7 LSU 19 #9 Auburn 6
13 November 13, 1937 Baton Rouge, LA #12 LSU 9 #14 Auburn 7
14 November 12, 1938 Birmingham, AL #9 Auburn 28 LSU 6
15 November 18, 1939 Baton Rouge, LA Auburn 21 LSU 7
16 November 16, 1940 Birmingham, AL LSU 21 #9 Auburn 13
17 November 15, 1941 Baton Rouge, LA Tie7Tie7
18 November 14, 1942 Birmingham, AL #14 Auburn 25 #9 LSU 7
19 October 25, 1969 Baton Rouge, LA LSU 21 Auburn 20
20 October 24, 1970 Auburn, AL #14 LSU 17 #6 Auburn 9
21 October 14, 1972 Baton Rouge, LA #8 LSU 35 #9 Auburn 7
22 October 13, 1973 Auburn, AL LSU 20 Auburn 6
23 October 11, 1980 Baton Rouge, LA LSU 21 Auburn 17
24 October 10, 1981 Auburn, AL Auburn 19 LSU 7
25 October 8, 1988 Baton Rouge, LA LSU 7 #4 Auburn 6
26 October 14, 1989 Auburn, AL #12 Auburn 10 LSU 6
27 September 19, 1992 Auburn, AL Auburn 30 LSU 28
28 September 18, 1993 Baton Rouge, LA Auburn 34 LSU 10
29 September 17, 1994 Auburn, AL #11 Auburn 30 LSU 26
30 September 16, 1995 Baton Rouge, LA LSU 12 #5 Auburn 6
No.DateLocationWinning teamLosing team
31 September 21, 1996 Auburn, AL #21 LSU 19 #13 Auburn 15
32 September 20, 1997 Baton Rouge, LA #12 Auburn 31 #10 LSU 28
33 September 19, 1998 Auburn, AL #7 LSU 31 Auburn 19
34 September 18, 1999 Baton Rouge, LA #24 Auburn 41 LSU 7
35 September 16, 2000 Auburn, AL #25 Auburn 34 #22 LSU 17
36 December 1, 2001 Baton Rouge, LA LSU 27 Auburn 14
37 October 26, 2002 Auburn, AL Auburn 31 #10 LSU 7
38 October 25, 2003 Baton Rouge, LA #9 LSU 31 #17 Auburn 7
39 September 18, 2004 Auburn, AL #14 Auburn 10 #5 LSU 9
40 October 22, 2005 Baton Rouge, LA #7 LSU 20 #16 Auburn 17OT
41 September 16, 2006 Auburn, AL #3 Auburn 7 #6 LSU 3
42 October 20, 2007 Baton Rouge, LA #5 LSU 30 #18 Auburn 24
43 September 20, 2008 Auburn, AL #6 LSU 26 #9 Auburn 21
44 October 24, 2009 Baton Rouge, LA #10 LSU 31 Auburn 10
45 October 23, 2010 Auburn, AL #5 Auburn 24 #6 LSU 17
46 October 22, 2011 Baton Rouge, LA #1 LSU 45 #19 Auburn 10
47 September 22, 2012 * Auburn, AL #2 LSU 12 Auburn 10
48 September 21, 2013 * Baton Rouge, LA #6 LSU 35 Auburn 21
49 October 4, 2014 Auburn, AL #5 Auburn 41 #15 LSU 7
50 September 19, 2015 * Baton Rouge, LA #13 LSU 45 #18 Auburn 21
51 September 24, 2016 Auburn, AL Auburn 18 #18 LSU 13
52 October 14, 2017 Baton Rouge, LA LSU 27 #10 Auburn 23
53 September 15, 2018 Auburn, AL #12 LSU 22 #7 Auburn 21
54 October 26, 2019 Baton Rouge, LA #2 LSU 23 #9 Auburn 20
55 October 31, 2020 Auburn, AL Auburn 48 LSU 11
56 October 2, 2021 Baton Rouge, LA #22 Auburn 24 LSU 19
57 October 1, 2022 Auburn, AL LSU 21 Auburn17
58 October 14, 2023 Baton Rouge, LA #22 LSU 48 Auburn 18
Series: LSU leads 30–24–1[1]
* 2012, 2013 and 2015 wins vacated by LSU due to an NCAA ruling.[15]

Miscellaneous

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From 2000 to 2005, Auburn or LSU won or tied for the SEC West Division championship every season.

From 2000 to 2007, the home team won eight straight games. (Immediately before then, the road team had won four straight, from 1996 to 1999.)

The 2006 game was the lowest scoring contest between the two schools since 1935, when Auburn defeated LSU, 7–3, in Auburn.

9 of the first 13 meetings were shutouts; however, neither has been shut out since.

LSU leads the series in games played in Baton Rouge and Montgomery, Alabama, with an 18–6–1 and 2–0 record, respectively. Auburn leads games played at Jordan–Hare Stadium (13–6), Birmingham, Alabama (3–2), and Mobile, Alabama (2–0). When the SEC expanded, Auburn and LSU were placed in the SEC's West Division.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Winsipedia – Auburn Tigers vs. LSU Tigers football series history". Winsipedia.
  2. ^ "Sensational endings highlight Auburn-LSU rivalry – ESPN Video". ESPN.com. October 14, 2017.
  3. ^ "LSU vs Auburn live stream: Watch Tiger Bowl online".
  4. ^ "L. S. U. 5, Auburns 0". The Times-Democrat. October 28, 1920. p. 11. Retrieved May 3, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  5. ^ "Louisiana State Downs Red Haired Auburnites". Atlanta Constitution. October 28, 1902. p. 11. Retrieved May 3, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  6. ^ "Clemson Wins From Auburn". Atlanta Constitution. November 16, 1902. p. 11. Retrieved May 3, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  7. ^ "George Doc Fenton".
  8. ^ "What really happened at the Auburn-LSU 'Earthquake Game'? – The War Eagle Reader". September 17, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  9. ^ (LSU), Louisiana State University. "Page Not Found". Archived from the original on June 20, 2007. Retrieved August 22, 2016. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  10. ^ "Scout.com: 100 Greatest Finishes – No. 11 to 20". Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  11. ^ "Multiple players were hospitalized for dehydration after the 1994 Auburn-LSU Interception Game – The War Eagle Reader". October 2, 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  12. ^ "Remembering the forgotten victims (and 'rumors') from the 'Night the Barn Burned'". The War Eagle Reader. October 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  13. ^ a b "Remembering the forgotten victims (and 'rumors') from the 'Night the Barn Burned'". The War Eagle Reader. October 2014. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  14. ^ "Video from the broadcast of the 1996 Auburn-LSU Barn fire game". The War Eagle Reader. September 17, 2013. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  15. ^ "LSU football vacates all wins from 2012–2015, Les Miles now ineligible for CFB Hall of Fame". Yahoo Sports. June 22, 2023. Retrieved December 16, 2023.