1980 LSU Tigers football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1980 LSU Tigers football Southeastern Conference SEC 7–4 4–2 Jerry Stovall 1st George Belu 2nd Greg Williams 2nd Tiger Stadium The 1980 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University (LSU) as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by first-year head coach Jerry Stovall, the Tigers compiled an overall record of 7–4, with a mark of 4–2 in conference play, and finished tied for fourth in the SEC.1980 LSU Fighting Tigers Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football October 31, 2023 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/louisiana-state/1980-schedule.html Bo Rein was hired November 30, 1979 after four seasons at North Carolina State as the successor to Charles McClendon, who compiled a 137–59–7 record in 18 seasons. Rein's tenure was cut short after only 42 days when he died in a plane crash January 10, 1980. Stovall, a former LSU All-America, nine-year National Football League veteran with the St. Louis Cardinals and previously an assistant coach under McClendon, was approved as Rein's successor approximately 36 hours after the plane crash. LSU was tied for first place in the Southeastern Conference following a Nov. 1 victory over Ole Miss, but subsequent one-sided road losses to Alabama and Mississippi State, plus an ugly September loss to Rice, led bowls to snub the Tigers (Florida, which lost 24-7 to LSU at home in October and tied the Tigers in the conference standings, was invited to a bowl). LSU ended on a high note by drubbing bowl-bound Tulane, the Tigers' only win vs. the Green Wave between 1979 and 1982. As of 2025, this is the last LSU team to finish with a winning record and not be invited to a bowl. Schedule 1980 AP September 6 l y Florida State 13 Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA 0–16 77,535 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-opelika-auburn-news-seminole-defense/134416432/ The Opelika-Auburn News Seminole defense whitewashes LSU September 7, 1980 October 31, 2023 Newspapers.com September 13 w y Kansas State Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA 21–0 75,405 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-star-louisiana-state-sty/134416538/ The Kansas City Star Louisiana State stymies Kansas State 21–0 September 14, 1980 October 31, 2023 Newspapers.com September 20 w y Colorado Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA 23–20 74,999 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-advertiser-johnston-field-goal/134416606/ The Daily Advertiser Johnston field goal lifts Tigers by Buffaloes September 21, 1980 October 31, 2023 Newspapers.com September 27 l y y Rice Rice Stadium Houston, TX 7–17 41,000 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-odessa-american-rice-upsets-lsu-17/134416668/ The Odessa American Rice upsets LSU, 17–7 September 28, 1980 October 31, 2023 Newspapers.com October 4 w y Florida 19 Florida Field Gainesville, FL rivalry 24–7 59,299 https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-world-lsu-feasts-on-gator-gumbo/134415666/ Daily World LSU feasts on Gator gumbo October 5, 1980 October 31, 2023 Newspapers.com October 11 w y Auburn Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA rivalry 21–17 76,094 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-knoxville-news-sentinel-soph-fires-l/134412201/ The Knoxville News-Sentinel Soph fires LSU by Auburn, 21–17 October 12, 1980 October 31, 2023 Newspapers.com October 18 w y Kentucky Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY 17–10 57,800 Tigers overcome bobbles, bumbles as Cats crumble Sunday Herald-Leader October 19, 1980 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86580621/tigers-overcome-bobbles-bumbles-as/ October 31, 2023 Newspapers.com November 1 w Ole Miss Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA rivalry 38–16 71,422 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-lsu-fans-get-poke/134414405/ The Commercial Appeal LSU, fans get pokes at Rebs November 2, 1980 October 31, 2023 Newspapers.com November 8 l y Alabama 6 Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL rivalry 7–28 60,210 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71518235/relentless-tide-covers-lsu-287/ The Shreveport Times 'Relentless' Tide covers LSU, 28–7 November 9, 1980 October 31, 2023 Newspapers.com November 15 l y Mississippi State 19 Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium Jackson, MS rivalry 31–55 48,863 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-crowley-post-signal-third-quarter-ex/134416867/ The Crowley Post-Signal Third quarter explosion blows Maroons by LSU November 16, 1980 October 31, 2023 Newspapers.com November 22 w y Tulane Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA Battle for the Rag 24–7 69,248 https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-world-lsu-rides-wave-to-247-victo/134416944/ Daily World LSU rides Wave to 24–7 victory November 23, 1980 October 31, 2023 Newspapers.com 1980 Season https://www.tigerdroppings.com/lsu-football-history/Results.aspx?Season=1980 tigerdroppings.com 30 September 2022 Roster 1980 LSU Tigers f 7 So Alan Risher QB y 21 Sr Tracy Porter WR 32 Jr Orlando McDaniel WR y 47 Sr Hokie Gajan RB y 89 Sr Greg LaFleur TE y 4 So Chris Hutchinson CB 10 So Frank Killeen CB 11 Jr James Britt James Britt (American football) CB y 22 Sr Chris Williams Chris Williams (defensive back) S y 60 Sr George Atyieh NG 51 So Albert Richardson LB n 70 So Leonard Marshall DE y 94 Sr Lyman White LB 5 Jr David Johnston K https://lsusports.net/sports/football/roster/1980 *Jerry Stovall George Belu – Offensive coordinator/offensive line Bob Gatling – Quarterbacks Darrel Moody – Running backs Stephen Regan – Wide receivers Otis Washington – Offensive line Greg Williams – Defensive coordinator/defensive backs Pete Jenkins – Defensive line Bishop Harris – Outside linebackers Bobby Morrison – Inside linebackers References LSU Category:LSU Tigers football seasons LSU Tigers football