Tiger Stadium is recognized as one of the most electric atmosphere in the nation. Tiger fans are known for their rich traditions and tailgating in the Bayou state. There is nothing like a Saturday night in the fall with more than 102,000 of your close companions. Let’s continue to rank the ten best LSU home games of the past decade, here’s No. 2 and No. 1.
No. 2: 10. Auburn (23) @ LSU (27)–2017
The 2017 edition of the ‘Tiger Bowl’ would not disappoint for those watching on TV and those in the stands. Auburn was coming off a 44-23 drubbing of Ole Miss in the previous week. LSU was coming off a nail biting win against Florida, 17-16. The 2017 Auburn-LSU game would have a lot of ups and downs for both teams. It would set up to be one of LSU’s greatest comebacks and has to be one of the hottest games to take place in Tiger Stadium.
The First Half Between the Tigers and the Tigers:
Auburn would be the first one to step on the field to try and get out to an early lead against LSU. Jarrett Stidham led the Auburn offense down the field to set up a Daniel Carlson 46-yard field goal. Auburn was able to give their offense the ball back immediately after Stephen Roberts forced a fumble to give Auburn great field position.
Auburn was able to take advantage of LSU’s turnover by finding the endzone. It only took two plays for them to score as Jarrett Stidham found Will Hastings for a 49-yard TD. Auburn would find itself up 10-0 with 11:31 left in the first quarter.
LSU Would Begin to Chip Away:
The Auburn defense would continue to rise to the occasion forcing LSU to punt away to Auburn. Auburn’s offense was able to continue the early momentum with another touchdown. Kerryon Johnson ran it in for a four-yard score to put the Tigers up 17-0 with 3:30 left in the first quarter.
LSU was forced to a three-and-out on their next drive and had to punt the ball back to Auburn. Auburn was able to tack on three more points with a Daniel Carlson 48-yard field goal to put give the Tigers a 20-0 lead at the 12:50 mark in the second quarter.
LSU was able to break through on their best drive on offense so far. Stephen Sullivan ran it in for a one-yard score to cut into the Auburn lead, 20-7, with 9:19 to go in the second quarter. Auburn and LSU would have quick possessions on their next two drives.
Auburn was able to answer LSU’s field goal at the 2:16 mark as Daniel Carlson tacked on a 28-yard field goal to extend the Auburn lead to 23-7. LSU was able to go down the field before the half as Danny Etling found Russell Gage for a 14-yard touchdown to get within 11, 23-14. Auburn would take a 23-14 lead going into the half.
The Second Half Between the Tigers and the Tigers:
The start of the third quarter featured the two offenses struggling to find their rhythm as the defenses served charge. The entire third quarter had no offense scored and five punts combined between the two teams.
The fourth quarter would start off with fireworks as Auburn was continuing the punt streak. LSU was able to bust out a big return by D.J. Chark. He took it all the way for 75 yards to cut into Auburn’s lead 23-21 with 14:33 left in the fourth quarter.
LSU Would Complete the Comeback:
The punt return by D.J. Chark electrified the stadium that was looking for something to cheer for and the momentum was on LSU’s side. After the big play by Chark the offenses continued the struggle as there were three consecutive punts.
LSU was set up at the Auburn 45-yard line to begin their drive at the 6:40 mark in the fourth quarter. The Tigers offense was able to create plays to be able to set up a potential go-ahead field goal. LSU did just that as Connor Culp knocked home a 42-yard field goal to give LSU their first lead of the game, 24-23.
The LSU defense was able to capitalize on the defensive side by forcing an Auburn turnover on downs. Donte Jackson made a key play to give the LSU offense the ball back with 1:49 to go. LSU was already set up in Auburn territory to put more points up on the board. Connor Culp made a 36-yard field goal to extend the LSU lead to 27-23 with 38 seconds remaining.
Auburn was left with little time to create any momentum on the offensive side and Arden Key sealed the game with a key sack on Jarrett Stidham to end the game. LSU was down 20-0 early in the second quarter and was able to roar back to defeat Auburn, 27-23, in one of the greatest comebacks in LSU history.
Top Offensive Performer for LSU: D.J. Chark (WR)-5 REC, 150 YDS, 2 punt returns, 83 yards, 1 TD
Top Defensive Performer for LSU: Devin White (LB)-15 total tackles, 6 solo, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, 1 QB hurry
No. 1: 3. South Carolina (21) @ 9. LSU (23)
Steve Spurrier and the South Carolina Gamecocks were coming into Tiger Stadium with an undefeated season. South Carolina would breeze through their first-half of their schedule. LSU was looking to bounce back from a road loss in Gainesville in the prior week. The 2012 South Carolina-LSU was set for a primetime matchup as two top 10 teams would battle it out under the lights.
First Half Between the Gamecocks and the Tigers:
South Carolina’s offense would be the first to step on the field, but it didn’t last long as LSU’s defense forced them to a quick three-and-out. The Tigers would use up 7:47 of the game clock on a 16 play drive to set up the Tigers to draw first blood. Drew Alleman would nail a 23-yard field goal to put LSU up 3-0 at the 5:32 mark in the first quarter.
The Gamecocks would have to punt on their next offensive possession setting up the Tigers to get off to as fast start. That didn’t go to plan for LSU as Jimmy Legree picked off Zach Mettenberger’s pass to give South Carolina the ball back.
It only took two plays for South Carolina to strike as Connor Shaw found Ace Sanders for a two-yard score to put the Gamecocks up 7-3 to start the second quarter. LSU’s offense was able to drive down into Gamecock territory. The Tigers were unable to cash in off a missed field goal by Drew Alleman.
The rest of the second quarter would feature no terms of momentum on the offensive side of the ball. South Carolina would take a 7-3 lead going into the half as the defensive slugfest was the story in the first half.
The Second Half Between the Gamecocks and the Tigers:
LSU came out of the locker room with their hair on fire. They were able to strike on their first offensive possession in the third quarter. Jeremy Hill ran it in for a seven-yard touchdown to give LSU the 10-7 lead at the 11:13 mark. The two offenses would stall on consecutive drives with punts of their own.
South Carolina’s offense was able to retake the lead on Marcus Lattimore’s first touchdown of the game. Lattimore would run it in for a two-yard score for the Gamecocks to go up 14-10 at the 5:11 mark in the third quarter. The offenses would stall out once again on their next two drives as the end of the third quarter was looming.
LSU would the start of the fourth quarter with the ball, the Tigers were able to cut the Gamecock lead. Drew Alleman booted a 20-yard field goal to put the score 14-13 with 10:17 left in the final quarter. The Gamecocks had a costly turnover on their next drive as Connor Shaw’s pass was picked off by Eric Reid. The interception set up LSU with great field position and a chance to take the lead late.
Momentum Would Swing to the Tigers:
LSU was able to get to the Gamecock five-yard line. The Tigers had to settle for a 22-yard field goal by Drew Alleman to give LSU the lead, 16-14. The Gamecocks offense went backward on their next offensive possession. South Carolina had to punt it away back to the Tiger offense.
It only took LSU one play to be able to extend their two-point lead. Jeremy Hill ran through the Gamecock defense for a 50-yard touchdown. The big play would put the Tiger lead to 23-14 with 5:03 to go. The Gamecocks were able to answer LSU’s big play with a touchdown of their own. Connor Shaw found Bruce Ellington for a one-yard score to cut the Tiger lead to 23-21 with 1:41 left.
The Gamecocks would start their final drive with 35 seconds left. Connor Shaw was able to complete a few passes to give the Gamecocks a first down. Shaw on the next play, would be the game-sealer as his pass was picked off by Craig Loston. LSU would win the highly anticipated matchup featuring two top-10 teams, 23-21.
Top Offensive Performer for LSU: Jeremy Hill (RB)-17 CAR, 124 YDS, 2 TD, 1 REC, 21 YDS
Top Defensive Performer for LSU: Lamin Barrow (LB)-12 total tackles, 4 solo tackles
If you missed No. 4 and No. 3 on the list, click here.