LSU Pivotal Football Moments
pivotal college football moment: A decision by a coach or athletic director that changes the momentum of a program or an action by a player that changes the momentum of a game.
pivotal college football moment: A decision by a coach or athletic director that changes the momentum of a program or an action by a player that changes the momentum of a game.
When 2-2-1 LSU hosted 2-3 Florida, the Tigers found themselves the favorite against a major foe for the first time in the 1941 season. That was based on the improvement of Bernie Moore's squad the last two weeks when LSU held Mississippi State to a scoreless tie and trounced Rice 27-0. By comparison, Coach Tom Lieb's second Florida squad lost to the Bulldogs 6-0 at Starkville. The Gators' two wins came against weaklings, Randolph-Macon and Tampa.
LSU Strikes First
The 20,000 spectators had hardly settled into their seats when LSU scored a touchdown in the first four minutes of play. Senior HB Billy McKinney from Jackson TN punted to the Florida 15. Moments later he intercepted Tommy Harrison's pass and returned the ball to the five. It took four downs, but FB Lyman Richardson (Shreveport) drove over from the two. Senior C Bernie Lipkis booted the PAT to make it 7-0 LSU.
L-R: Billy McKinney, Bernie Lipkis, Leo Bird
Florida Ties the Game
The Gators started an 88y scoring drive in the last minutes of the opening period that continued into the second quarter. The biggest gainer was a razzle-dazzle play on which Harrison passed to E Forest Ferguson, who tossed a later to Milton "Peanut" Hull, a tackle, for a gain of 30y. The scoring play was a carbon copy of LSU's: a 2y plunge by FB Red Mack. G Paul Eller kicked the tying point to make it 7-7.
L: Gerald Hightower (10) and Sulcer Harris cannot stop Red Mack from scoring Florida's touchdown.
R: LSU linebacker tackles Fondren Mitchell.
University of Florida Tower/Seminole Yearbook Class of 1942
Bird's Fumble Recovery Stops Gator Threat
Midway in the second quarter, Florida started a march from midfield. When Andy Bracken threw a long pass that Ferguson caught on his fingertips at the LSU 17, Gator hopes soared. But on the next play, Bracken fumbled, and senior HB Leo Bird (Shreveport) recovered for the Tigers on the 19.
Neither team threatened in the third quarter, thanks in large measure to turnovers. LSU intercepted five Gators aerials during the evening, and Florida snagged two Tiger throws. The Gators led in fumble recoveries 3-1.
Hightower and Harris zero in on Tommy Harrison.
LSU Gumbo Yearbook Class of 1942
Tigers Finally Break the Tie
LSU reached the Florida 12 in the fourth quarter only to lose possession on a fumble. The Gators then marched to the LSU 21 where they faced fourth down. But a 5y penalty made Coach Lieb decide to try a field goal that missed.
The comedy of errors continued as LSU ploughed to Florida's goal line but again fumbled.
Finally, with time running out, Lipkis intercepted Frank Buell's pass and took it to the Florida 12. After three running plays failed, Lipkis kicked a field goal with just seven seconds left in the game to hand the Gators their fourth loss of the season by a touchdown or less.
Final score: LSU 10 FLORIDA 7
The statistics favored the Gators: 13-6 edge in first downs, 234y total offense to 117.