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.
On October 11, 1924, LSU played its first game against a school from the Western Conference (forerunner of the Big Ten). Mike Donahue's Tigers traveled 24 hours by train to Indianapolis to play the Indiana Hoosiers.
The day of the game was proclaimed "Dixie Day" in Indy, and a crowd of 12,000 filled the baseball field stands. Almost all were Hoosier faithful except for the LSU Cadet Band that had traveled with the team. Back home, Tiger rooters gathered at State Field (precursor of Tiger Stadium) to follow the action by wireless on the GridGraph mounted on a stage and narrated by "Wild Bill" Graham.
L: Coach Mike Donahue; R: LSU's offense attacks the Indiana defense.
The third quarter began with the Hoosiers leading 14-6. But the Tigers took advantage of a break when future judge and LSU Board member Oliver "Ike" Carriere made amends for his earlier bobble that set up Indiana's first touchdown by recovering a fumble on the Indiana 42.
L: Norman Stevens runs for a touchdown. R: Opie Dimmick
Two plays later, junior HB Norman Stevens burst 38y to pull LSU within one as hats flew and cheers erupted 850 miles away in Baton Rouge. More exultation back home when LSU methodically drove 67y in the final period to score on a short run by Gus Jackson for a 20-14 lead.
However, IU roared back, reaching third-and-goal on the two. But the defense held on two runs, junior E Ben Miller breaking through on fourth down to nail the ball carrier on the five. Then Carriere asked Miller to punt the ball out of danger. He booted his first collegiate punt to midfield and then made the tackle just before time ran out.
The victory removed the goat horns from QB Opie Dimmick. In the third quarter, upon intercepting a pass, he paused to yell to the stands "Bound for Dixie!" The delay allowed him to be overtaken on the IU six and cost LSU a touchdown.