1997 LSU Tigers football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1997 LSU Tigers football Southeastern Conference Western Division SEC 13 13 9–3 6–2 Gerry DiNardo 3rd Morris Watts 3rd Multiple pro setshttps://archive.org/details/alabama-football-1997-media-guide-c/page/n89/mode/2up Alabama Football 1997 Media Guide January 22, 2026 96 Carl Reese 3rd Multiple 4–3 Tiger Stadium SEC Western Division co-championIndependence Bowl champion Independence Bowl W 27–9 vs. Notre Dame The 1997 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by third-year head coach Gerry DiNardo, the Tigers compiled an overall record of 9–3 with a mark of 6–2, sharing the SEC's Western Division title Auburn. By virtue of a head-to-head loss to Auburn, LSU was left out of the SEC Championship Game. The LSU Tigers were invited to the Independence Bowl, where they defeated Notre Dame. The team played home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tigers began the season with high expectations following their first 10-win season since 1987. LSU's season was highlighted by a stunning 28–21 home upset of the top ranked Florida Gators, ending Florida's 25-game winning streak in SEC play and nine-game winning streak against LSU. The Tigers also shut out Alabama 27–0 at Tuscaloosa, paying back the Crimson Tide for a 26–0 loss the previous season in Baton Rouge. it was the first time LSU defeated Florida and Alabama in the same season since 1986 and only the second time since 1971. Despite the highs, LSU also experienced two embarrassing home losses. The first was to Ole Miss one week after the Tigers' conquest of then-No. 1 Florida, a loss made more perplexing by the 38–9 and 39–7 margins by which LSU crushed the Rebels in 1995 and 1996. The second was to Notre Dame, which came to Baton Rouge at 4–5, needing three consecutive victories just to qualify for a bowl. In a stunning 24–6 triumph, the Irish rushed for 232 yards and played their first penalty-free and turnover-free game in program history. LSU was also fortunate to escape with a 7–6 victory at Vanderbilt, DiNardo's former employer. The Commodores scored a late touchdown and were lined up to go for a two-point conversion and a potential 8–7 win, but two delay of game penalties convinced Vanderbilt coach Woody Widenhofer to instead play for overtime. LSU's Arnold Miller preserved the win by blocking John Markham's extra point attempt. The Tigers tied for the SEC West title for the second straight year, but Auburn had won a dramatic game in Baton Rouge earlier in the season and therefore represented the West in the SEC Championship Game.LSU Football Guide lsusports.net http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=27815&SPID=2164&DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=208647460 2013-07-28 2013-10-29 https://web.archive.org/web/20131029195112/http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=27815&SPID=2164&DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=208647460 dead Schedule 1997 AP Central September 6 7:00 p.m. w y 10 UTEP Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA 55–3 80,015 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tennessean-faulk-scampers-for-3-tds/152114618/ The Tennessean Faulk scampers for 3 TDs in rout September 7, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com September 13 8:00 p.m. w y 10 Mississippi State Scott Field Starkville, MS rivalry ESPN 24–9 40,030 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-anniston-star-strong-finish-lifts-ls/152114664/ The Anniston Star Strong finish lifts LSU past Mississippi State September 14, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com September 20 6:30 p.m. l 10 Auburn 12 Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA rivalry ESPN 28–31 80,538 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-late-td-sparks-au/152101889/ The Charlotte Observer Late TD sparks Auburn September 21, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com September 27 7:00 p.m. w y y 13 Akron Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA 56–0 79,772 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal-faulk-returns-to-act/152114708/ The Atlanta Journal Faulk returns to action as LSU rolls over Akron September 28, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com October 4 2:30 p.m. w y 13 Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Stadium Nashville, TN PPV 7–6 37,045 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-commercial-appeal-mistakes-tear-up-v/152114755/ The Commercial Appeal Mistakes tear up Vandy October 5, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com October 11 6:00 p.m. w 14 Florida 1 Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA rivalry, College GameDay ESPN 28–21 80,677 https://www.newspapers.com/article/albuquerque-journal-motivated-tigers-ups/152114819/ Albuquerque Journal Motivated Tigers upset Gators October 12, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com October 18 11:30 a.m. l 8 Ole Miss Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA Magnolia Bowl JPS 21–36 80,442 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-lsu-falls-flat/152114850/ The Atlanta Constitution LSU falls flat against Ole Miss October 19, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 1 5:30 p.m. w y 16 Kentucky Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY ESPN2 63–28 58,450 https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-kentucky-pays-fo/152114896/ Asheville Citizen-Times Kentucky pays for mistakes November 2, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 8 2:30 p.m. w y 14 Alabama Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL rivalry CBS 27–0 70,123 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71632805/faulk-lsu-show-true-grit/ Alexandria Daily Town Talk Faulk, LSU show true grit November 9, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 15 2:30 p.m. l y 11 Notre Dame Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA CBS 6–24 80,566 https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-with-2-more-wins-indepe/152114940/ Chicago Tribune With 2 more wins, Independence Bowl could be on November 16, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com November 28 1:30 p.m. w 17 Arkansas Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA rivalry CBS 31–21 79,619 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-balance-propels-tigers-quick/152115036/ The Shreveport Times Balance propels Tigers; Quick-strike Arkansas throws scare into LSU November 29, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com December 28 7:00 p.m. w y y 15 Notre Dame Independence Stadium Shreveport, LA Independence Bowl ESPN 27–9 50,459 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-irish-buried-on-th/152115096/ The Indianapolis Star Irish buried on the bayou December 29, 1997 July 27, 2024 Newspapers.com Rankings 1997 NCAA Division I-A football rankings AP 0 17 10 10 10 10 10 13 13 14 8 17 16 14 11 20 17 16 15 13 Coaches 0 17 11 11 11 10 15 14 14 10 15 14 12 11 18 17 16 15 13 References LSU Category:LSU Tigers football seasons Category:Independence Bowl champion seasons LSU Tigers football