Auburn–LSU football rivalry

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"Tiger Bowl" redirects here. For the college football bowl game in South Korea, see Tiger Bowl (game). For Auburn–Clemson rivalry, see Auburn–Clemson football rivalry. For the 2019–20 bowl game played between Clemson and LSU, see 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship.
Tiger Bowl
Auburn Tigers logo.svg
Auburn Tigers
Louisiana State University (block logo).svg
LSU Tigers
First meetingNovember 20, 1901
Auburn, 28–0
Latest meetingOctober 2, 2021
Auburn, 24–19
Next meetingOctober 1, 2022
Statistics
Meetings total56
All-time seriesLSU leads, 31–24–1[1]
Largest victoryAuburn, 48–11 (2020)
Longest win streakLSU, 6 (1926–1937)
Current win streakAuburn, 2 (2020–present)
[Interactive fullscreen map]
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.

Notable games[]

1902[]

Players near the goal line in 1902 LSU vs. Auburn game at State Field

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[]

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 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.

1988 - "The Earthquake Game"[]

Main article: Earthquake Game

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[]

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 Jamie Howard received multiple threats.

1996 - "The Barn Burner"[]

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. LSU intercepted the pass and returned it for 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[]

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 it was used as motivation in 2001 when LSU beat Auburn 27–14 on the way to their first SEC title since splitting it in 1988. Coach Gerry DiNardo was fired before the season ended.[15]

2016[]

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 on the 10 yard line 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 and threw the ball to the endzone where it was caught by RB Leonard Fournette 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 season along with the disappointment of the 2015 season, led to the firing LSU Head Coach Les Miles the following Monday.

2017[]

In 2017, #8 Auburn led unranked LSU 20-0 in the 2nd quarter. After a few successful drives and defensive improvements, LSU shrunk 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[]

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.

Game results[]

Auburn victoriesLSU victoriesTie games
No.DateLocationWinnerScore
1 November 20, 1901 Baton Rouge, LA Auburn 28–0
2 October 27, 1902 Baton Rouge, LA LSU 5–0
3 November 11, 1903 Auburn, AL Auburn 12–0
4 October 31, 1908 Auburn, AL LSU 10–2
5 November 9, 1912 Mobile, AL Auburn 7–0
6 November 1, 1913 Mobile, AL Auburn 7–0
7 October 25, 1924 Birmingham, AL Auburn 3–0
8 October 16, 1926 Montgomery, AL LSU 10–0
9 October 15, 1927 Montgomery, AL LSU 9–0
10 October 13, 1934 Baton Rouge, LA LSU 20–6
11 November 2, 1935 Baton Rouge, LA LSU 6–0
12 November 14, 1936 Birmingham, AL #7 LSU 19–6
13 November 13, 1937 Baton Rouge, LA #12 LSU 9–7
14 November 12, 1938 Birmingham, AL #9 Auburn 28–6
15 November 18, 1939 Baton Rouge, LA Auburn 21–7
16 November 16, 1940 Birmingham, AL LSU 21–13
17 November 15, 1941 Baton Rouge, LA Tie7–7
18 November 14, 1942 Birmingham, AL #14 Auburn 25–7
19 October 25, 1969 Baton Rouge, LA LSU 21–20
20 October 24, 1970 Auburn, AL #14 LSU 17–9
21 October 14, 1972 Baton Rouge, LA #8 LSU 35–7
22 October 13, 1973 Auburn, AL LSU 20–6
23 October 11, 1980 Baton Rouge, LA LSU 21–17
24 October 10, 1981 Auburn, AL Auburn 19–7
25 October 8, 1988 Baton Rouge, LA LSU 7–6
26 October 14, 1989 Auburn, AL #12 Auburn 10–6
27 September 19, 1992 Auburn, AL Auburn 30–28
28 September 18, 1993 Baton Rouge, LA Auburn 34–10
29 September 17, 1994 Auburn, AL #11 Auburn 30–26
No.DateLocationWinnerScore
30 September 16, 1995 Baton Rouge, LA LSU 12–6
31 September 21, 1996 Auburn, AL #21 LSU 19–15
32 September 20, 1997 Baton Rouge, LA #12 Auburn 31–28
33 September 19, 1998 Auburn, AL #7 LSU 31–19
34 September 18, 1999 Baton Rouge, LA #24 Auburn 41–7
35 September 16, 2000 Auburn, AL #25 Auburn 34–17
36 December 1, 2001 Baton Rouge, LA LSU 27–14
37 October 26, 2002 Auburn, AL Auburn 31–7
38 October 25, 2003 Baton Rouge, LA #9 LSU 31–7
39 September 18, 2004 Auburn, AL #14 Auburn 10–9
40 October 22, 2005 Baton Rouge, LA #7 LSU 20–17OT
41 September 16, 2006 Auburn, AL #3 Auburn 7–3
42 October 20, 2007 Baton Rouge, LA #5 LSU 30–24
43 September 20, 2008 Auburn, AL #6 LSU 26–21
44 October 24, 2009 Baton Rouge, LA #10 LSU 31–10
45 October 23, 2010 Auburn, AL #5 Auburn 24–17
46 October 22, 2011 Baton Rouge, LA #1 LSU 45–10
47 September 22, 2012 Auburn, AL #2 LSU 12–10
48 September 21, 2013 Baton Rouge, LA #6 LSU 35–21
49 October 4, 2014 Auburn, AL #5 Auburn 41–7
50 September 19, 2015 Baton Rouge, LA #13 LSU 45–21
51 September 24, 2016 Auburn, AL Auburn 18–13
52 October 14, 2017 Baton Rouge, LA LSU 27–23
53 September 15, 2018 Auburn, AL #12 LSU 22–21
54 October 26, 2019 Baton Rouge, LA #2 LSU 23–20
55 October 31, 2020 Auburn, AL Auburn 48–11
56 October 2, 2021 Baton Rouge, LA #22 Auburn 24–19
57 October 1, 2022 Auburn, AL
Series: LSU leads 31–24–1[1]

Miscellaneous[]

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 LSU defeated Auburn 6–0 in Baton Rouge.

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

LSU leads the series 31–24–1. LSU leads the series in games played in Baton Rouge and Montgomery, Alabama, with a 17–6–1 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. The Auburn–LSU game quickly became a highly anticipated and respected rivalry.

See also[]

  • List of NCAA college football rivalry games

References[]

  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
  5. ^ "Louisiana State Downs Red Haired Auburnites". Atlanta Constitution. October 28, 1902. p. 11. Retrieved May 3, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  6. ^ "Clemson Wins From Auburn". Atlanta Constitution. November 16, 1902. p. 11. Retrieved May 3, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  7. ^ "George Doc Fenton".
  8. ^ "What really happened at the Auburn-LSU 'Earthquake Game'? - The War Eagle Reader". Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  9. ^ (LSU), Louisiana State University. "Page Not Found". Archived from the original on 20 June 2007. Retrieved 22 August 2016. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  10. ^ "Scout.com: 100 Greatest Finishes - No. 11 to 20". Archived from the original on 11 October 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  11. ^ "Multiple players were hospitalized for dehydration after the 1994 Auburn-LSU Interception Game - The War Eagle Reader". Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  12. ^ "Remembering the forgotten victims (and 'rumors') from the 'Night the Barn Burned' - The War Eagle Reader". Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  13. ^ a b "Remembering the forgotten victims (and 'rumors') from the 'Night the Barn Burned' - The War Eagle Reader". Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  14. ^ "Video from the broadcast of the 1996 Auburn-LSU Barn fire game - The War Eagle Reader". Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  15. ^ Marcello, Brandon. "Auburn's Unlucky Cigar - AL.com", 16 September 2015. Retrieved on 8 July 2017.
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