In sports, there are a handful of stadiums that people will say that you need to visit at least once. Lambeau Field, Madison Square Garden, Fenway Park or “The Big House” at Michigan come to mind. LSU’s Tiger Stadium – specifically at night – is another one, and that got checked off my list Saturday.
I’ve never been an LSU fan. Far from it. But when my partner in crime’s mom called me and invited me a few weeks back to Saturday’s game, only a fool would say no.
So we packed up the next morning, not caring about the lack of sleep we had the night before, and embarked on a trip to remember. Sure, the traffic was awful on Interstate 12. Sure, everyone and their mother was heading towards Louisiana’s capital city for the game. Sure, there was even a little grumpiness inside our vehicle. But it was all worth it by the end of the night.
Once we arrived on campus, I was immediately in awe of how many people were walking up and down the sidewalks on each side of the road. Countless people outside tailgating with music blasting for all to hear. I don’t think LSU gets much credit in terms of having a great tailgating atmosphere, especially compared to opponent Ole Miss, but it was certainly top notch. With V.I.C.’s “Wobble” blaring outside the stadium, we entered the cathedral of SEC football.
There’s always a cool feeling when you ascend up the stairs from the darkness and into the light with a view of the field waiting on you. This time was no different. What immediately caught my eye was not only the size of the stadium, which is the largest that I’ve ever been in, but the Tiger eye at midfield. It’s inarguably the coolest midfield logo in football, and it’s a logo that I think LSU should use more often as it’s much better than its standard Tiger.
The student section didn’t take long to fill as we were still just under two hours away from kickoff. The students brought the energy all night long, and they started early on Homecoming. By the time we reached 15 minutes before kickoff when good guy Garth Brooks’ “Callin Baton Rouge” played for the first time, just about all of the more than 102,000 fans reached their seats.
Another cool detail about the atmosphere that night: light-up bracelets were laid on each seat, meaning fans who wore them would be part of various synchronized light shows throughout the night. Aside from several goofballs who threw their bracelets onto the field and at other fans, it was a great addition to the night.
The fact that LSU celebrated Tiger Stadium’s 100-year anniversary that night was special enough. The game that was played made it even more so.
In my estimation, Ole Miss thoroughly outplayed LSU and should have won by a score, if not multiple. But the Rebels kept getting in their own way, allowing the home team to stay in it. And once the fans got rolling into the fourth quarter, it was only a matter of time.
The second playing of “Callin’ Baton Rouge” was simply marvelous. 102,000 fans singing the lyrics word for word, only halted by the PA announcer saying, “It’s third down for Ole Miss.” The Rebels managed to convert the third-and-15, but a bone-headed interception thrown by Jaxson Dart allowed the Tigers to stay in it later that drive.
Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier struggled for most of the night, on pace for having his worst game as the starter in purple and gold. But he made the throws when it counted, tying the game with 27 seconds left on a beautifully-read 23-yard touchdown strike to Aaron Anderson and the game-winner on a 25-yard touchdown to Kyren Lacy on the first play of overtime.
Fans stormed the field, capping off a night to remember in Baton Rouge.
I can now proudly say that I’ve done what is a unanimous college football bucket list item, and now I’ll say what was said to me for years and years before Saturday: a night game in Death Valley is just different.
The Pickoff
Isn’t October baseball great?
The playoffs have been nothing short of fantastic to date, and it doesn’t matter who comes out of the ALCS and NLCS – the World Series will feature a great matchup.
In one corner in the American League are the Cleveland Guardians, who boast one of the best bullpens we’ve seen across the last 30 years. In the other corner, we have the New York Yankees who are led by stars Aaron Judge, Juan Soto and postseason masher Giancarlo Stanton.
In the National League, we have one of the country’s favorite stories in the New York Mets who, despite a gaudy payroll, have captured the hearts of many as they have streaked into the postseason. Then there lies the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are always in the mix and boast quite a valiant bullpen as well.
As of press time, the NLCS is tied 1-1 and the Yankees hold a 1-0 lead in the ALCS. I would personally enjoy a Subway Series between the Yankees and Mets mostly due to the rivalry. I know which matchup MLB commissioner Rob Manfred wants, but any of the four combinations will be enjoyable.
Play of the Week
It may not have been the most athletically impressive or flashy play of the year, but it was an opposing team’s gaffe that sent West Marion to its first volleyball South State Championship in program history.
The Trojans claimed a 19-6 lead in Set 3 (after going up two sets to none) before St. Patrick began to fight back. The Fighting Irish got it within five, but the Trojans, needing just one point for glory, pulled out the victory after St. Patrick’s serve went out of bounds. It was a historic win for the Trojans who, despite falling to Our Lady Academy in South State Monday night, pulled off the best season in program history.
