By Ryan Rogers
The 2001 season wasn’t the first time LSU entered the season the persuasion favorite to win the SEC West. But it did mark the first time LSU lived up to the high expectations. The Tigers won the SEC West title with a 27-14 victory over No. 25 Auburn.
“I’m really pleased and happy for our program, our institution, all the supporters we have, and the people who worked so hard to make this happen.,” said Nick Saban.
LSU will travel to Atlanta to face Tennessee in a rematch for the SEC title and a trip to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.
The win was fulfilling for many players on LSU’s roster.
“This is why I signed here (LSU). I envisioned playing in games like this. This is great for the fans, my teammates, everyone,” said junior linebacker Trev Faulk.
So what was the difference this year, that’s simple. For the first time the Tigers were able to overcome adversity, win when it counted, possessed playmakers on its roster and received a little luck.
Perhaps the biggest reason why the 2001 team was different is the fact that the Tigers had a multitude of playmakers. Rohan Davey became LSU all-time leading single season passer against Middle Tennessee. He added to his remarkable numbers tonight with 245 yards passing and one touchdown.
Josh Reed became LSU’s all time single season leader in yards and receptions with his 10 catch for 186-yard performance tonight.
LaBrandon Toefield tied the SEC mark for touchdowns his 19th in the first quarter. He finished just 17 yards shy of 1,000 with 983 total on the season.
Led by these three offensive stars, LSU was able to lean on its playmakers all season long. One can’t emphasize enough how important having leaders that step up every week is to a team on a mission.
In past seasons LSU wasn’t able to rebound from early season losses. After beginning SEC play 0-2 with losses to Tennessee and Florida, the Tigers remained calm, regrouped and made strides to win five of six conference games.
A big factor this year was LSU’s ability not to let the games momentum swing in its opponents favor for too long. On the road at Kentucky, LSU trailed 25-22 with minutes remaining in the game. The Tigers drove the ball 80 yards down the field and scored a game winning touchown to beat the Wildcats 29-25. Alabama tied the game at 21-21 in the fourth quarter and seemed to have all the momentum against LSU at home. The Crimson Tide appeared on their way to a comeback victory, but LSU was able to take the air out of Alabama’s sail and score on their next possession. LSU went on to win 35-21. Arkansas made big play after big play against LSU and the Tigers turned the ball over five times. However, LSU persevered 41-38. Tonight against Auburn, Jason Campbell hit Tim Carter on Auburn’s second play from scrimmage for a 72-yard TD pass.
The game appeared to be headed to a shoot-out, but the LSU defense stymied and the Tigers ran away with the game. This type of momentum control, especially on the road may have been one of the Tigers most impressive feats of the season.
Then the Tigers benefited from a little luck. Let’s not forget how the Tigers got in this position. For the first time in four scenarios, the “Iron Bowl”, between Auburn and Alabama went LSU’s way in its hopes for a West title. The Tigers needed Alabama to upset Auburn to give the Tigers their second SEC loss setting up a showdown for the title. That happened in grand fashion as the Crimson Tide rolled to a 31-7 victory.
In 1996, ?97 and ?98 LSU was voted a favorite or co-favorite for the title according to media and coaches in the persuasion. In ?96 the Tigers posted an impressive 9-2 record, but a 27-0 loss to West Champion Alabama at home kept the Tigers out of the SEC Championship Game. In ?97, Auburn stunned LSU early in the season 31-28 in Tiger Stadium, the Tigers played catch-up the rest of the season and finished second behind Auburn.
The 1998 season was a season lots of Tiger fans would like to forget. LSU was the clear-cut favorite to win the West ranked as high as No. 6 in the nation early in the year. LSU lost close games early on to Georgia and Florida and the Tigers went into a tailspin finishing the season a disappointing 4-7.
Handling the pressure of high expectations has been a nemesis for LSU in recent years. LSU credits LSU’s focus heading into tonight’s culminating win over Auburn as the key to avoiding being overwhelmed by the hype.
“Our players were as good as you’d want them to be. They had a high energy level; they were serious about what they were doing without being uptight, and I think the fact we tried to focus on beating Auburn and the present moment rather than on winning a championship or the SEC Championship. The players stayed focused in the game and played for 60 minutes with no letup. That’s the only way you can beat a good football team,” said Saban.