(10/29/00)
by the Webmaster
LSUsports.net
Several weeks ago, a columnist for the Knoxville News-Sentinal wrote an article entitled, “The truth about Death Valley: It died decades ago.” This may have been true, at the time, however, there’s something to be said about the recent resurrection.
After beating No. 11 Tennessee, Kentucky and No. 13 Mississippi State this season, there is a renewed national sentiment — rather than one “Volunteered” — from CBS Sportsline Senior Writer Dennis Dodd: ”…the Tigers could win the national championship if every game were played at Death Valley.”
This may also be true, as well…if LSU can beat Alabama in Tiger Stadium — a subordinate clause which has been attached to the walls of Death Valley like a two-ton stalactite since 1969.
In the 1960s, when Tiger Stadium ranked among the top five stadiums in attendance (and as high as No. 2 in 1963), LSU won 55-of-69 games (including three ties) and became known for its deafening crowds. Led by head coaches Paul Dietzel (1955-61) and Charles McClendon (1962-79), the Tigers lost no more than two games at home in any season and went through 1961 and 1969 undefeated. LSU and Alabama didn’t play in 1961.
LSU’s current home-and-home series with Alabama began in the ’60s, a 17-9 win by Alabama in Birmingham in 1964. The series between the two Southeastern Conference powerhouses, which Alabama leads 1-16-1 since 1965, began in Tiger Stadium with a dismal 31-7 loss.
Here’s a short recap of the ’60s:
1965: (Alabama, 31-7) — Not even close. LSU and Alabama renew the series in Tiger Stadium after an eight-year hiatus. Bama goes on to win National Championship No. 8.
1967: (Alabama, 7-6) — After a scoreless first half, Kenny Stabler leads Alabama to a fourth-quarter touchdown. LSU finally solves the Tide “D” only to miss the PAT.
1969: (LSU, 20-15) — “Cholly Mac” becomes the first ex-Bryant pupil to beat him in the regular season. It took two 100-yard rushing performances by Allen Shorey and Eddie Ray.
But, bad luck against the Tide has continued ever since.
“Death Valley” continued to haunt LSU opponents in the ’70s, as Coach “Mac” posted a 52-14-1 record. All opponents, that is, except Alabama, which handed the 65,500-seat structure five of these losses.
Look at what the Tide did in Baton Rouge in the ’70s:
1971: (Alabama, 14-7) — LSU allowed 0 yards passing in the game. The No. 4 Tide allowed 0 points in the fourth quarter to win on national TV.
1973: (Alabama, 21-7) — After a 9-0 start, the loss costs LSU a shot at the National Championship. Alabama (11-1) won it, again.
1975: (Alabama, 23-10) — Bama handed McClendon his only losing season after LSU threw an interception on fourth-and-goal in the third quarter.
1977: (Alabama, 24-3) — No. 2 Tide loses four fumbles, but slips out of Tiger Stadium unscathed.
1979: (Alabama, 3-0) — In a driving rain, Alabama dominated LSU with 252 yards rushing, but couldn’t score a TD. A third-quarter 27-yard field goal gives Bama the win.
After Bear Bryant left Alabama in 1982, nothing changed.
As the 1980s came and went, so did five more wins against Alabama. However, as the Tigers were able to manage a 14-14 tie, the second in the all-time series, against the Tide in 1985.
Tiger Stadium, now expanded to more than 80,000, continued to shake the likes of Notre Dame, Southern Cal, Florida State, Washington and Texas A&M throughout the ’80s. Taking away five home losses in 1983 which cost Jerry Stovall his job and four in 1989, LSU lost only 12 games at home in the decade.
But, once again, bad luck against the Tide has continued ever since.
1981: (Alabama, 24-7) — LSU opened the season against the Tide for the first time since 1944, but it didn’t start scoring until it was too late. The “Bear’s” last game in Tiger Stadium.
1983: (Alabama, 32-26) — Jeff Wickersham set five LSU records including 344 yards passing. Eric Martin caught eight passes for 209 yards. That wasn’t even enough.
1985: (Tie, 14-14) — After Bama converted a fourth-and-19 to tie the game, Ron Lewis missed a 24-yard field goal with five seconds remaining….and bad luck changed to no luck. But, at least it wasn’t a loss.
1987: (Alabama, 22-10) — LSU was undefeated a looking for an SEC Championship and another Sugar Bowl. Five turnovers later, and with 11 bowl reps watching, LSU was headed to the Gator Bowl at 10-1-1.
1989: (Alabama, 32-16) — Suffering through its first losing season since ’83 and entering the game 2-6, LSU allowed 644 yards of total offense and fell behind 27-3.
The 1990’s were not nearly as kind to what was once considered “Death Valley.” Yes, the “Welcome” sign still hung on the West side. But, the attendance fell, the losses mounted and the coaches came and went — some more successful than others.
The magic came back for a brief three seasons in Tiger Stadium, prompting plans of expansion once again. However, the decade record at home fell to 35-29 including six seasons without more wins than losses. LSU’s 17-22 record in conference play in the ’90s was even more a cause for concern as the school suffered through its eighth losing season in 11 years.
When the SEC added two more teams to the league and split the 12 teams into two divisions, LSU began to play Bama on even-numbered years. In the switch, LSU and Alabama played back-to-back years in Tiger Stadium — then the Tigers lost five more games to Alabama in Baton Rouge in the ’90s.
Even when times were good, the same trend of luck continued against Bama:
1991: (Alabama, 20-17) — Bama blocked a potentially tying field goal with 2:49 remaining after the Tigers scored 10 unanswered points in the season half.
1992: (Alabama, 31-11) — No. 3 Alabama outrushed LSU, 301-22, and forced four turnovers on its way to its latest National Championship.
1994: (Alabama, 35-17) — Curley Hallman’s final SEC home game at LSU before heading to Bama to coach special teams. Two blocked punts turned into TD’s for Bama and a 28-3 halftime lead.
1996: (Alabama, 26-0) — The “Magic” was in the air. ESPN “Gameday” was in Baton Rouge. And, Herb Tyler was injured on the first drive of the game, deflating the LSU offense. Shaun Alexander ran for four TD’s and 291 yards.
1998: (Alabama, 22-16) — Two passes that looked to be batted away by LSU cornerback Robert Davis wind up in the hands of Bama receivers in the final 2:24 of the game as the Tide scored 15 points in the fourth quarter to come from behind and win.
Since 1969, zero wins, 14 losses and one tie in Tiger Stadium over the past 31 years — far and away LSU’s worst record against any team in any arena in any time period. Outscored 343-161. Outrushed in 13-of-15 games, 3,726-2,015. With a minus-17 turnover margin. And, the Tigers have never won a league championship in a season when they played Alabama in Tiger Stadium.
Now, it’s a new millennium (even though some say it really doesn’t start until 2001). There’s a new regime with a history of winning on its home turf, a new attitude of playing for 60 minutes every week. Will the result against the preseason No. 3 Tide change?
If LSU history has anything to say about it, no. However, head coach Nick Saban will have some say in the matter. And, here’s what he’s said at home:
In his seventh season as a head coach, Saban has won 33 of 43 home games. In his first season in Baton Rouge, his Tigers have won five games at Tiger Stadium for the first time 1996 and LSU’s average-attendance ranking is its highest since 1968 at No. 5 in the nation.
Not to mention that this is the first time that Alabama enters Tigers Stadium with more than three losses.
Will this be the season when LSU turns the Tide in Death Valley? Only time will tell.
The LSU-Alabama series in Tiger Stadium:
| Year | LSU Record | Bama Record | Score |
| 2000 | 5-3 | 3-5 | ???? |
| 1998 | 4-4 | 5-3 | L, 22-16 |
| 1996 | 6-1 | 7-1 | L, 26-0 |
| 1994 | 2-5 | 8-0 | L, 35-17 |
| 1992 | 1-7 | 9-0*# | L, 31-11 |
| 1991 | 4-4 | 7-1 | L, 20-17 |
| 1989 | 2-6 | 8-0* | L, 32-16 |
| 1987 | 7-0-1 | 6-2 | L, 22-10 |
| 1985 | 5-1 | 6-2 | T, 14-14 |
| 1983 | 3-5 | 5-2 | L, 32-26 |
| 1981 | 0-0 | 0-0* | L, 24-7 |
| 1979 | 5-3 | 8-0*# | L, 3-0 |
| 1977 | 5-2 | 7-1* | L, 24-3 |
| 1975 | 3-5 | 7-1* | L, 23-10 |
| 1973 | 9-1 | 9-0*# | L, 21-7 |
| 1971 | 5-2 | 8-0* | L, 14-7 |
| 1969 | 6-1 | 5-2 | W, 20-15 |
| 1967 | 4-2-1 | 5-1-1 | L, 7-6 |
| 1965 | 5-2 | 5-1-1*# | L, 31-7 |
| 1957 | 0-1 | 0-0 | W, 28-0 |
| 1954 | 0-1 | 0-1 | L, 12-0 |
| 1952 | 0-1 | 1-0 | L, 21-20 |
| 1948 | 2-6 | 4-3-1 | W, 26-6 |
| 1946 | 5-1 | 5-2 | W, 31-21 |
| 1945 | 1-0 | 1-0* | L, 26-7 |
| 1944 | 0-0 | 0-0 | T, 27-27 |
| 1925 | 2-0 | 2-0*# | L, 42-0 |
* indicates SEC Champion
# indicates National Champion