LSU Tigers football, 1893–1899
1893
Overview
1893 was the first year that LSU sponsored a football team. The Tigers were coached by university professor Dr Charles E. Coates against in-state school Tulane University of New Orleans. The game sparked a rivalry between the Tigers and the Green Wave that has lasted generations. Future Louisiana governor Ruffin G. Pleasant was the quarterback and captain of the LSU team. In the first game against Tulane, LSU football players wore purple and gold ribbons on their uniforms. According to legend, purple and gold were chosen because they were Mardi Gras colors, and the green of Mardi Gras was sold out. An LSU baseball team had also worn purple and gold in its first varsity game against Tulane earlier in 1893, even though LSU's official colors at the time were actually blue and white.[1]
Schedule
1894
Overview
The Tigers adopted a new coach, Albert Simmons, for the three-game 1894 season. This season marked LSU's first ever victory with the 26–0 win over Natchez Athletic Club. The team's captain, Samuel Marmaduke Dinwidie Clark, became the first LSU player to ever score a touchdown during the game against Natchez A.C. The first football game played on the LSU campus was on December 3, 1894, against Mississippi. LSU's only touchdown in that game was scored by the head coach, Albert Simmons.[2]
Schedule
| Date |
Opponent |
Site |
Result |
| November 30, 1894 |
at Natchez Athletic Club* |
Natchez, MS |
W 26–0 |
| December 3, 1894 |
Ole Miss |
Baton Rouge, LA |
L 6–26 |
| December 21, 1894 |
Centenary* |
Baton Rouge, LA |
W 30–0 |
| *Non-conference game. Homecoming. |
1895
Overview
Coach Albert P. Simmons, in his last year at LSU, helped the Tigers to an undefeated season in 1895. 1895 was the first unbeaten season in LSU football history. The season also featured the first home victory in LSU history with a win over Tulane in front of 1,500 spectators.[3]
Schedule
1896
Overview
The 1896 Tigers, with coach Allen Jeardeau, went undefeated and were the SIAA co-champions. The 1896 team was the first LSU team to use the nickname "Tigers".
Schedule
| Date |
Opponent |
Site |
Result |
| October 10, 1896 |
Centenary* |
Baton Rouge, LA |
W 46–0 |
| October 24, 1896 |
at Tulane |
New Orleans, LA (Battle for the Rag) |
W 1–0 |
| November 13, 1896 |
vs. Ole Miss* |
Vicksburg, MS |
W 12–4 |
| November 16, 1896 |
Texas* |
Baton Rouge, LA |
W 14–0 |
| November 20, 1896 |
Mississippi St. |
Baton Rouge, LA |
W 52–0 |
| November 28, 1896 |
at Southern AC* |
New Orleans, LA |
W 6–0 |
| *Non-conference game. Homecoming. |
Tulane forfeited the October 24 game in New Orleans.
1897
Overview
Coach Allen Jeardeau returned for his second but final year at LSU in 1897 for two games in Baton Rouge.
Schedule
| Date |
Opponent |
Site |
Result |
| December 20, 1897 |
Montgomery AC* |
Baton Rouge, LA |
W 28–6 |
| January 8, 1898 |
Cincinnati* |
Baton Rouge, LA |
L 0–26 |
| *Non-conference game. Homecoming. |
The 0–26 loss to the Bearcats is disputed.
1898
Overview
The Tigers, with new coach Edmond Chavanne, played only one game for 1898 season.
Schedule
1899
Overview
New coach John P. Gregg led the 1899 Tigers to a 3–3 .500 season. The only wins were in an exhibition game against a high school team (which LSU does not officially record as a win) and against rival Tulane along with the huge win against Ole Miss.
Schedule
| Date |
|
Opponent |
Site |
Location |
Result |
Notes |
|
November 3, 1899[4]
|
@
|
Ole Miss
|
|
Meridian, MS
|
W 72–11
|
|
|
|
November 10, 1899*
|
@
|
Lake Charles High School
|
|
|
W 48–0
|
Exhibition game
|
|
|
November 13, 1899
|
vs
|
Sewanee
|
|
|
L 0–34
|
|
|
November 30, 1899*
|
vs
|
Texas
|
|
|
L 0–29
|
|
|
December 2, 1899*
|
vs
|
Aggies
|
|
|
L 0–52
|
|
|
December 8, 1899
|
@
|
Tulane
|
|
|
W 38–0
|
|
| *Non-conference game |
Notes
- ^ Vincent, Herb. "LSU Football Vault, The History of the Fighting Tigers". Whitman Publishing, LLC. Atlanta, GA. 2008. page 7.
- ^ Vincent, Herb. "LSU Football Vault, The History of the Fighting Tigers". Whitman Publishing, LLC. Atlanta, GA. 2008. page 9
- ^ Vincent, Herb. "LSU Football Vault, The History of the Fighting Tigers". Whitman Publishing, LLC. Atlanta, GA. 2008. page 9.
- ^ Ole Miss lists game played on November 1, 1899
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National championship seasons in bold
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