.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. 6 and No. 5.
No. 6: 2. Georgia (16) @ 13. LSU (36)–2018
Georgia was coming into Tiger stadium as one of the top teams in the country and was in cruise control to an undefeated season. LSU, on the other had, was coming off a road loss in Gainesville and looking to bounceback.
The First Half Between the Bulldogs and the Tigers:
The first quarter in the battle between the Bulldogs and the Tigers was controlled by the defense. The lone score in the first quarter came at the 9:32 mark where Cole Tracy knocked home a 33-yard field goal. The possession after the made field goal to put the Tigers up 3-0 would be costly for Georgia. Georgia drove all the way down to the LSU 14-yard line. Kirby Smart decided to send out the field goal team, but decided to run a fake field goal play that would be blown up by Devin White.
The Tigers would be able to capitalize off of the turnover with a Joe Burrow one-yard touchdown run to give LSU the 10-0 advantage. Georgia would quickly go three-and-out in consecutive possessions as their offense continued to struggle against the Tiger defense. LSU was able to put more points up on the board with a 36-yard and 39-yard field goal by Cole Tracy to add to the LSU lead, 13-0. Both offenses would have quick possessions to end the half with LSU leading 16-0.
The Second Half Between the Bulldogs and the Tigers:
Georgia would come out of the locker room with their best drive yet as they were able to tack on a 40-yard field goal by Rodrigo Blankenship to make the score 16-3 with 9:03 in the third quarter. The Bulldog defense stopped the Tiger offense in their tracks on the following possession giving Jake Fromm the ball back. Fromm would have a costly turnover deep in their territory as Kristian Fulton gave the Tigers great field position to add on to their lead.
LSU added on a 24-yard field goal by Cole Tracy to extend the Tiger lead to 19-3. The Bulldogs would quickly answer the Tigers on the next possession with a Elijah Holyfield 10-yard run to cut the Tiger lead to 19-9. Georgia would elect to go for two, but wasn’t able to execute. The final seconds would tick away in the third quarter with the momentum starting to shift to the Bulldogs.
The Turning Point in the Game:
The Tigers were able to break through and drive all the way down the field. Joe Burrow tacked on a one-yard touchdown run to put LSU up 26-9 with 9:31 to play. LSU would kick it off to the Bulldogs and Ed Paris made a big hit on Mecole Hardman to force the fumble.
LSU would take advantage of yet another Georgia turnover with a 30-yard field goal by Cole Tracy to give the Tigers a 29-9 lead. Georgia would answer the Tigers’ field goal by cutting the lead down to an LSU 29-16 lead. The next possession would put the dagger in the Bulldogs after Joe Burrow showed off his mobility with a 59-yard run to set up the Tigers for a score. On the next play, Clyde Edwards-Helaire punched it in from the four-yard line to give the Tigers a 36-16 advantage.
The game would be sealed and the students poured onto the field as the No. 13 Tigers upset the No. 2 Bulldogs. Georgia fans took over Tiger Stadium with a sea of red all across the stadium, but the Tigers were up for the challenge.
Top Offensive Performer for LSU: Joe Burrow (QB): 15/30, 200 YDS, 13 CAR, 66 YDS, 2 TD
Top Defensive Performer for LSU: Devin White (LB); 13 total tackles, 1 solo, 0.5 tackles for loss, 1 QB hurry, 1 fumble recovery
No. 5: 7. Florida (28) @ 5. LSU (42)–2019
The Florida-LSU matchup in 2019 was highly anticipated. It was set for a primetime kickoff and College Gameday being present on campus. Florida was coming off an impressive win at home, while LSU knocked off Jordan Love and Utah State in the prior week. The atmosphere in the stadium was electric and this annual rivalry game would match that energy.
The First Half Between the Gators and the Tigers:
Joe Burrow and LSU’s high-powered offense would be the ones to step on the field first. The Tigers were hoping it would set up an opportunity to draw first blood. Cade York was unable to put the Tigers on the board first with a 44-yard field goal going wide left.
LSU’s defense was able to rise to the occasion and force the Gator offense to a quick three-and-out. It only took two plays for the Tigers to score as Ja’Marr Chase would haul in a nine-yard grab to put LSU up 7-0. After this possession the game would turn into a score-for-score battle.
Florida would respond with a touchdown of their own at the 5:20 mark as Kyle Trask found Trevon Grimes for a six-yard score to level the game at seven. Both offenses would have to punt on their next possession as the first quarter would come to a close.
The second quarter would start with four touchdowns between the two teams. Joe Burrow racked up his second passing touchdown, this time finding Justin Jefferson for a seven-yard score to give the Tigers the lead, 14-7. Florida would drive all the way deep into LSU territory. The Gators were able to convert a fourth-and-goal gamble by Dan Mullen. Emory Jones would float a pass to Lamical Perine to level the game at 14 all.
The game of answers would continue as Clyde Edwards-Helaire busted a 39-yard run. Giving the Tigers a 21-14 lead with 3:55 in the second quarter. Florida would quickly answer to end the half with Kyle Trask finding Van Jefferson for a six-yard touchdown. What looked to be a defensive battle to start would turn to a 21-21 score going into the halftime break.
The Second Half Between the Gators and the Tigers:
Florida would start the third quarter by driving all the way down the field to take their first lead of the game. Kyle Trask found Van Jefferson for a two-yard touchdown to put the Gators up 28-21. Like the second quarter played out, LSU was able to answer with a score of their own. Clyde Edwards-Helaire picked up his second rushing touchdown with a five-yard run to level the game at 28.
The Tiger defense would rise to the occasion and force Florida to a three-and-out to give LSU the ball back. Freshman running back, Tyrion-Davis Price, would break out with a 33-yard touchdown to give the Tigers the lead, 35-28, with 3:15 in the third quarter. The Gators and the Tigers offense on their next possessions would stall out as the fourth quarter would be starting.
The Turning Point in the Game:
Florida’s offense was able to drive down the field like they have done multiple times against the Tiger defense. Kyle Trask and the offense faced a third and one deep into LSU territory. On this play, Trask made a huge mistake trying to find an open receiver, but Derek Stingley was able to make a timely pick to open the door for LSU to take a double-digit advantage.
Joe Burrow and the offense did just that on their next offensive possession. Burrow was able to make a big play to Ja’Marr Chase with a 54-yard touchdown. Giving the Tigers a 42-28 lead with 5:43 left. Tiger Stadium at this moment would unleash a stadium-wide gator chomp and LSU was riding all the momentum.
The Gators needed to cash in on their next possession to keep their hopes alive in this game. The game seemed to be over after Kristian Fulton picked it off for a moment, but was called back due to a penalty. Trask and the offense got to the goal line and decided to go for it on fourth down. K’Lavon Chaisson made a game-saving tackle as LSU would defeat the Gators, 42-28.
Top Offensive Performer for LSU: Joe Burrow (QB): 21-24, 293 YDS, 3 TD, 6 CAR, 43 YDS
Top Defensive Performer for LSU: K’Lavon Chaisson (DE): 8 total tackles, 5 solo, 1 sack, 3 tackles for loss
The Countdown Continues
Be sure to tune in on Monday as the countdown will continue with ranking the best LSU football home games of the decade. Featured next on the list will be No. 4 and No. 3.
If you missed No. 8 and No. 7 on the countdown, click here