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. 8 and No. 7.
No. 8: Arkansas (27) @ 17. LSU (31)–2013
Arkansas was coming into this game on an eight-game losing streak looking to spoil LSU’s season. The ‘Battle for the Golden Boot’ always is a battle, no matter the record. The game in 2013 did not disappoint as it came down to the last possession.
The First Half Between the Razorbacks and the Tigers:
LSU would be the first team on the scoreboard as Terrance Magee punched it in for a 29-yard touchdown to put the Tigers up 7-0 early in the first quarter. Arkansas and LSU would answer one another with scores of their own. Arkansas would tie the game up at seven with a Kiero Small three-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter. The Tigers would retake the lead, 14-7, with another Terrance Magee touchdown with 3:38 left.
The Tigers would control a seven-point lead going into the second quarter. The second quarter was dominated by the Razorbacks. Arkansas was able to take advantage with 6:14 left with a Brandon Allen nine-yard pass to find Hunter Henry in the endzone. The only other scoring that would take place was in the final seconds in the second quarter, where Zack Hocker made a 20-yard field goal. Arkansas was able to shut down LSU’s offense and take a 17-14 lead going into the halftime break.
The Second Half Between the Razorbacks and the Tigers:
Arkansas would continue to double their lead from three to six with a 28-yard field goal by Zach Hocker to put the score at 20-14. LSU finally was able to find momentum on the offensive side with a 52-yard touchdown run by Jeremy Hill to tie up the game, 20-20. Like the second quarter, Arkansas was able to punch it in the final seconds before the end of the quarter as Hunter Henry scored his second touchdown. The Razorbacks would take a touchdown lead, 27-20, going into the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter would be dominated by LSU. LSU was able to cut into the lead with a 37-yard field goal by Colby Delahoussaye. The Tigers were faced with adversity. Zach Mettenberger suffered an injury that forced him out of the game and Anthony Jennings had to step in. The Tigers’ offense had trouble moving the ball all fourth quarter with the freshman quarterback in for Mettenberger. That was until Jennings led the Tigers to a 99-yard drive. Jennings found Travin Dural for a 49-yard touchdown grab to put the Tigers up 31-27, with 1:15 left to play.
The Razorbacks would be unable to score with little time and LSU raised won the ‘Battle of the Golden Boot’, despite their starting quarterback going down with an injury in the fourth quarter.
Top Offensive Performer for LSU: Jeremy Hill (RB): 20 CAR, 145 YDS, 1 TD
Top Defensive Performer for LSU: Jalen Mills (CB): 1 INT
No. 7: 9. Auburn (20) @ 2. LSU (23)–2019
Auburn was coming off a shellacking of Arkansas, 51-10, and were looking to stay in the SEC West race. LSU was coming off a road victory in Starkville against Mississippi State. The annual ‘Tiger Bowl’ is always filled with memories that still stay with Auburn and LSU fans. The 2019 version of the ‘Tiger Bowl’ didn’t disappoint.
The First Half Between the Tigers and the Tigers:
LSU was coming into this game with their high-flying offense and Auburn served match with their stout defense. The only score to take place in the first quarter would come at the 8:39 mark where Anders Carlson nailed a 39-yard field goal to put Auburn up, 3-0. The Auburn and LSU defenses rose to the occasion as both offenses were struggling to find their stride. Auburn would hold a 3-0 advantage going into the second quarter.
The purple and gold would find the endzone as Terrace Marshall made a 20-yard grab falling down into the back of the endzone. LSU would take the lead 7-3 with 12:28 left to play in the second quarter. Both teams would trade three and outs on their next possession. Auburn’s offense was forced to punt away to Derek Stingley and Stingley wasn’t able to field it cleanly giving Auburn a short field.
Auburn brought it all the way down to the one, where they decided to go for it on a fourth and goal from the one-yard line. Bo Nix was able to run it in for a one-yard score to take the lead, 10-7. LSU was able to answer a possession later with a 20-yard field goal by Cade York to deadlock the game at 10-10. Auburn would have a chance to take the halftime lead with a big run by D.J. Williams, but LSU’s defense was able to keep the game tied with a Derek Stingley interception. The game would be at 10 all going into the half.
The Second Half Between the Tigers and the Tigers:
Auburn’s defense would continue to give LSU’s offense fits with another quick possession to start the third quarter. D.J. Williams exploded for another big run to set up Auburn deep into LSU’s territory. Auburn was only able to capitalize on a 23-yard FG by Anders Carlson to put Auburn up 13-10 at the 11:42 mark. On the next possession, LSU was able to drive all the way deep into Auburn territory. Ed Orgeron elected to go for it on fourth down, but the Auburn defense was able to hold the Tigers to a turnover on downs.
The next three possession wouldn’t go well for both offenses as they weren’t able to add to the scoreboard. LSU was able to find the endzone again with 4:58 left in the third with a six-yard rushing touchdown by Clyde-Edwards Helaire. Edwards-Helaire would give LSU the lead, 16-13, into the fourth quarter.
LSU was able to have a good opening drive to the fourth quarter as Joe Burrow took it in himself with a seven-yard rushing touchdown to expand the LSU lead up to 10, 23-13. Both offenses would stall for 11 minutes with quick possessions. Auburn was able to answer late at the 2:42 mark with a Seth Williams five-yard touchdown grab to put the score, 23-20. Bo Nix had one last chance to keep the game going, but failed to do so. LSU was able to escape with a 23-20 win and keep their playoff hopes alive.
Auburn would play the 2019 LSU team as tough as anyone did during the season. Especially with their defensive play against LSU’s high-powered offense. LSU had multiple chances to extend their lead, but wasn’t able to cash in. LSU would escape with a win and would head into their bye week undefeated.
Top Offensive Performer for LSU: Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB): 26 CAR, 136 YDS, 1 TD
Top Defensive Performer for LSU: Jacoby Stevens (S): 10 total tackles, 6 solo
The Countdown Continues
Be sure to tune in on Sunday as the countdown will continue with ranking the best LSU football home games of the decade. Featured next on the list will be No. 6 and No. 5.
If you missed No. 10 and No. 9 on the countdown, click here
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