TCU had an advantage on LSU and other schools it played because Texas Christian Uni­versity had a Navy V-12 program, and the Navy allowed the students in its program to play varsity sports. LSU had the Army Specialized Training Program which prohibited athletic par­ticipation.

The Horned Frogs had won two of the three games they had played, beating Arkansas 13-0 and Oklahoma A&M 25-0. Both teams lost to Texas A&M, LSU by 28-13 and TCU by 13-0. The Tigers had played more games than the Frogs, winning four and losing just the one to the Aggies.

The two schools had met three times on the gridiron, and neither had scored a touchdown. TCU won 3-0 in 1931 in Fort Worth. They tied 3-3 the following year in Baton Rouge. Finally, the Horned Frogs edged the Tigers 3-2 in the 1936 Sugar Bowl.

TCU Coach Dutch Meyer was known for his passing offense going back to the days of Slingin' Sammy Baugh in the 1930s. So LSU Coach Bernie Moore worked his troops hard during the week on aerial defense.

To show the impact of the Navy program at TCU, three of the four members of Meyer's "fast-moving, well-knit backfield" were V-12 recruits: FB Doug Carter, WB Royal James, and BB Harry Gardner. The only Horned Frog was TB Jim Lucas, the passer who was also a dangerous runner.

The 18,000 who turned out Saturday night saw the Tigers defeat the Frogs for the first time. All the scoring took place in six minutes and 40 seconds of playing time in the third quarter.

Each team penetrated the other's territory once in the lackluster first 30 minutes. LSU RB Steve Van Buren was the star but with his punting rather than his running.

The first boot was a quickkick that traveled from the LSU 18 to the TCU 41. The other was even better–a 50y boot that rolled dead inside the TCU one.

But the Tigers weren't able to take advantage of either kick. Their deepest penetration start­ed from the TCU 30 but went only two plays before FB Bill Schroll fumbled.

The Horned Frogs did better and held a statistical advantage at the half but couldn't score, in part because their receivers dropped several passes. They drove to the LSU 10, but the Tigers held. Lucas outgained Van Buren in the first half but had no points to show for it.

Starting from the 38 after Bill Schroll's 18y kickoff return, LSU broke the scoring ice with a ten-play drive sparked by–who else?–Steve Van Buren, who carried six times on the march.

Big Steve got 15 to push into TCU territory. After Carroll Griffith lost seven, Van got that yardage back and nine more, then four more on the next snap for a first down. Griffith then sailed around left end for ten and a first down at the TCU 25.

Van Buren whipped a pass down the middle to freshman E Burton Goode to the four. That made it Van Buren time. He ran twice through right tackle, the second carry going into the end zone. He also kicked the PAT. LSU 7 TCU 0

When LSU got the ball back, they reached TCU's 36, but an interception halted the threat.

When the third quarter ended, Red Knight and the second team took over for Van Buren and the first team. Knight returned a punt 28y to set the stage for another touchdown. Knight gained 12, then fell on FB Bill Corgan's fumble for a 3y loss. Red got seven more against the tiring Frog defense to make it third and eight. Corgan then slanted through left tackle and ran all the way to the seven before being knocked out of bounds. Knight did the honors from there, then kicked the point. LSU 14 TCU 0

As the minutes ticked away, the Frogs mounted a desperation bid to avoid a shutout. The possession started when LSU E Abner Wimberly caught, then dropped, Knight's fourth down pass while in the clear at the TCU 15. Passing on every down, Lucas led the Frogs from their 15 to LSU's 10 in four plays. But the proud Tiger defense preserved the shutout.

FINAL SCORE: LSU 14 TCU 0