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.
Mired in another lackluster season with a 3-5 record, Curley Hallman's third LSU team traveled to Tuscaloosa to play the reigning national champion Crimson Tide in an 11 AM game televised by Jefferson-Pilot Communications. Just four weeks earlier, LSU suffered the worst defeat in its history, 58-3 to Florida. #5 Alabama's only setback was a 17-17 tie with Tennessee three weeks earlier that ended its 28-game winning streak. However, the Crimson Tide still boasted a 31-game non-losing streak.
With the home team a 25-point favorite, the Mobile Register headline that Saturday morning proclaimed: TIDE COULD LOSE, PIGS MIGHT FLY. Columnist Jimmy Wigfield wrote: "[Gene] Stallings will be merciful to his old pal Hallman. Alabama 30, LSU 7."
The "old pal" phrase referred to the fact that Hallman played defensive back at Texas A&M under Coach Gene Stallings.
One glimmer of hope for LSU was the fact that Bama was without its starting QB Jay Barker. Brian Burgdorf replaced him.
Bama Misses Field Goal
After holding LSU to three-and-out, Bama went right down the field, but Michael Proctor's 46y field goal hit off the right upright. A portent?
With several Tide running backs out of action, the Tiger defense held the heavy favorite to a 0-0 halftime tie. Alabama gained just 89y and made only three first downs in the first 30 minutes of play. |
 Curley Hallman  Gene Stallings |
Afterwards, Burgdorf said, "Looking back, where we lost the game was in the first half. We had our chances to score. The defense gave us the ball in good shape. We just didn't execute."
LB Mike Calais, who led LSU with 10 tackles, said the team realized at halftime that an upset was in the making. "We knew it was going to happen from the opening drive. We knew it could happen. Nobody else did. We were against the world. There was no individuals; it was all team. We came in here and showed them that we were a bad, bad team. So bad that we came in here and kicked butt and took names."
L: Scott Hewitt pressures David Palmer; R: C Kevin Mawae, anchor of LSU's offensive lineMarshall's Interception Sets Up First Score
FS Anthony Marshall's interception on Bama's first third quarter possession put LSU in business at the Tide 38. The Tiger offense suddenly came to life, and five plays later TB Jay Johnson plunged over from the two. Amazingly, LSU led 7-0 with 10:41 left in the period.
Another Interception Dams Tide Surge
Stallings put freshman backup QB Freddie Kitchens under center to spark the offense. But after a fake punt gained 43y to finally give the home crowd something to cheer about, Kitchens threw a pick to DB Ivory Hilliard at the LSU 24. Hilliard's lateral to Tory James and an Alabama penalty on the runback put the ball at the Tide 42. It took only five plays for Robert Toomer to score from the two. Who would have believed it? LSU 14-0
Tide Finally Scores
With Kitchens 0-for-4 passing with two interceptions, flanker David Palmer took over at quarterback for Bama running what would today be called the "Wildcat Formation." He moved the Tide 80y to paydirt in nine plays. His 3y touchdown pass to FB Tarrant Lynch cut the Tiger lead in half going into the fourth quarter. With momentum finally on their side, Alabama fans had reason to believe their heroes would pull out the victory.
L-R: Anthony Marshall, Rodney Young, Andre LeFleur
Another Pick Thwarts Bama
The LSU offense continued to struggle. But another interception, this one by Rodney Young at the LSU 11, stemmed the Tide. The Tigers then drove deep enough to set up a 36y field goal by Andre Lefleur to make it 17-7 LSU with 4:22 left. Tiger fans could smell victory now. But not so fast, my friends.
"If I don't throw that interception, we probably win the game," said Palmer. Stallings also conceded that he waited too long to insert Palmer at quarterback.
The Tide roared back, scoring on a 22y pass from Palmer to SE Kevin Lee. When Palmer was stopped on the 2-point conversion, LSU led 17-13 with 2:41 left.
Bama Botches Onside Kick
Alabama touched the onside kick before it went 10y. That enabled LSU to run out the clock.
LSU Athletic Director Joe Dean, who had stood by Hallman through three lean years, wiped away tears of joy on the LSU sideline as bedlam broke out all around him.
The next day's Baton Rouge Morning Advocate headline roared BELIEVE IT! "Pigs will fly."
The Mobile Register had T-shirts made proclaiming "Pigs will fly!" LSU fans couldn't get enough of them.