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. 4 and No. 3.
No. 4: 8. Florida (28) @ 6. LSU (35)–2015
Florida and LSU were coming into this primetime matchup with an undefeated record. Florida was dealing with quarterback controversy with Will Grier out for the season for violating NCAA rules. The freshman quarterback, Treon Harris, had to step up for the Gators in a tough road atmosphere in Baton Rouge.
First Half Between the Gators and the Tigers:
The Gators were forced to a quick three-and-out on their first possession and had to punt it away to the Tigers. The first turnover came on that punt whenever Tre’Davious White lost the football giving the Gators the short field to be able to strike.
Florida was able to capitalize on the turnover and turn it into a four-yard touchdown by Jake McGee to put Florida up 7-0 with 10:13 in the first quarter. The Tigers would be unable to move the ball as they had to punt it away back to Florida’s offense. LSU’s defense was able to step up and give their offense another chance to be able to level the game.
LSU would do just that with their second possession of the game at the end of the first quarter. The Tigers were able to strike with a two-yard rushing score by Leonard Fournette to tie the game up at seven. LSU would force Florida to a quick three-and-out on the next possession to be able to keep the momentum on their side.
LSU was able to continue their momentum on their next drive. This time it was Brandon Harris finding Malachi Dupre for a nine-yard score to put LSU up 14-7 with 5:00 left in the second quarter. The Gators offense would go backwards on the next possession as the Tiger defense was dominating.
Leonard Fournette scored his second touchdown on the day to extend the LSU lead to 21-7, with 2:24 left. The Gators and the Tigers would score consecutive touchdowns to end the half. First, Treon Harris found Jake McGee for a 19-yard score to cut into the LSU lead, 21-14.
Second, Brandon Harris launched a 50-yard touchdown pass to Malachi Dupre to give the Tigers the 28-14 lead heading into the locker room.
The Second Half Between the Gators and the Tigers:
Florida’s defense would create some momentum coming out of the locker with a quick stop to give their offense the opportunity to fight back into the game. The Gators offense marched all the way down the field and Kelvin Taylor ran it in for a two-yard score. Florida would chip into LSU’s lead, 28-21, with 8:01 left in the third quarter.
Both offenses would stall on their next drives with three consecutive punts. Florida was able to level the game with a 72-yard punt return by Antonio Callaway, bringing the score to 28-28 with 1:04 left in the third quarter.
The Mad Hatter Pulls From His Hat of Tricks:
LSU would waste no time as the fourth quarter began to answer the big play that gave the Gators the momentum. The Tiger offense was able to drive all the way down the field to the Florida 11-yard line to set up a third and eight. Brandon Harris completed a pass, but the Tigers went backwards to set up a fourth and 13 from the Florida 16-yard line.
Les Miles decided to bring out the kicking unit to attempt a field goal to put the Tigers up by three, but we all know Les Miles likes to pull from his hat of tricks. Miles, like he did to Florida back in 2010 in Gainesville, would run a fake field goal with Trent Domingue. Domingue was able to find the endzone with a 16-yard run to put LSU up 35-28 with 10:40 left in the final quarter.
The rest of the game both offenses stalled out with punts and turnover on downs. LSU would hang on to defeat Florida, 35-28, and move to 6-0 on the season. The 2015 version of the Florida-LSU game would feature Miles doing what he does best of pulling tricks to fool the defense.
Top Offensive Performer for LSU: Leonard Fournette (RB)-31 CAR, 180 YDS, 2 TD, 1 REC, 15 YDS
Top Defensive Performer for LSU: Deion Jones (LB)-10 total tackles, 6 solo, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 pass deflection
No. 3: 3. Ole Miss (7) @ 24. LSU (10)–2014
The Ole Miss vs. LSU matchup would be a highly anticipated matchup. College Gameday was present on campus and the annual rivalry game would be featured on primetime for all to watch. The Rebels and the Tigers would be in a defensive bloodbath for four quarters. The offenses had to do just enough to escape with a win. Ole Miss was having a stealler 2014 season as they were coming to Baton Rouge undefeated, while LSU was looking to play spoiler.
The First Half Between the Rebels and the Tigers:
Ole Miss was the first one to retain the possession to kickoff a highly physical game. The Rebels would be able to pick up a first down, but had to punt away to LSU’s offense.
LSU was able to have success on their first offense possession of the game driving deep into Rebel territory. The Tigers were unable to cash in as Colby Delahoussaye missed a 28-yard field goal. Ole Miss would drive into LSU territory on their next possession. The Rebels would elect to go for it on the LSU 30-yard line on a fourth-and-two. Bo Wallace’s pass fell incomplete and LSU’s offense would step back on the field.
LSU found themselves at the Rebel goal line. Leonard Fournette lost traction of the football giving Ole Miss the ball back. The Rebels were able to capitalize off of the turnover as Bo Wallace found Cody Core for a 15-yard TD pass to put Ole Miss up 7-0, with seven seconds left in the first quarter.
The Tigers would muff the football on consecutive offensive possessions, this time it was Terrence Magee turning it over. The Rebels weren’t able to cash in this time on LSU’s turnover as they had to punt it away. The Tigers were able to get on the scoreboard with 2:47 left in the second quarter with a 21-yard field goal by Colby Delahoussaye. The made field goal would bring the score to Ole Miss leading LSU 7-3 and they would keep the lead going into halftime.
The Second Half Between the Rebels and the Tigers:
The second half would continue to be the story in this defensive battle between the Rebels and the Tigers. Both teams would start off with two punts each on their first two offensive possessions of the half. Ole Miss got another turnover by picking off Anthony Jennings, but the Rebels offense wasn’t able to take advantage.
After the interception by Jennings, both offenses would have to punt it away on three consecutive drives. The third quarter did not have any scoring as the defenses continued to be the dominating factor in this game.
The fourth quarter would start with yet another LSU turnover. Anthony Jennings was picked off by Mike Hilton. The Rebels weren’t able to capitalize off of the turnover. They had to punt the ball away to LSU with 11:06 left in the final quarter.
The Drive that Would Put LSU Up For Good:
The next drive for LSU would feature to be the tipping point in the stallout of the two offenses. The Tiger drive would start at the LSU 5-yard line. LSU would be able to use up 5:59 of the play clock while driving for 95 yards. 12 of the 13 plays in LSU’s drive would be rushing plays. The running backs featured in those plays would be Leonard Fournette, Kenny Hilliard and Melvin Jones.
The Rebel defense was starting to get gassed as the drive continued with the LSU offensive line generating body blows. Leonard Fournette was able to fight his way for several first downs. The key play was when Ole Miss ripped off Leonard Fournette’s facemask to give the Tigers 15 free yards.
LSU would be set up at the goal line and on their first play they would get no movement. Les Miles called up the first pass play and Anthony Jennings found Logan Stokes for a 3-yard score to put LSU up 10-7 with 5:07.
The Tiger defense was able to shut down Ole Miss defense with a turnover on downs to give LSU’s offense a chance to seal it. LSU was unable to ice the game as they had to punt it back to the Rebels. Ole Miss was able to drive down the field to set up a potential game-tying field goal. The Rebels decided to go for one last heave to the endzone. Bo Wallace’s pass would get picked off by Ronald Martin with two seconds remaining as the Tigers sealed the upset win.
Top Offensive Performer for LSU: Leonard Fournette (RB): 23 CAR, 113 YDS, 2 REC, 41 YDS
Top Defensive Performer for LSU: Ronald Martin (S): 5 total tackles, 2 solo tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 INT
The Countdown Continues
Be sure to tune in on Tuesday as the countdown wraps up with ranking the best LSU football home games of the decade. Featured next on the list will be No. 2 and No. 1.
If you missed No. 6 and No. 5 on the countdown, click here.
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