Any study of the history of LSU athletics must begin with a view of the great athletic facilities found on the campus. These fine fields, stadiums and arenas have no doubt been instrumental in LSU's winning 33 National Championships--more than any of the other 11 Southeastern Conference schools.
These are the LSU athletic facilities. Tiger Stadium is easily seen on the left of the picture. LSU's basketball complex, the Pete Maravich Assembly Center is the round white building to the right of the football stadium. The baseball complex, Alex Box Stadium, can be seen just beyond Tiger Stadium.
The 1958 edition of the LSU Tigers became the first, and only, Bayou Bengal football team to win the National Championship. The first, second and third strings of that team were known as "The Go Team", "The White Team" and "The Chinese Bandits". This three platoon system employed by the LSU coaches garnered major press, especially for the third string "Chinese Bandits".
LSU's only Heisman winner, Billy Cannon, forever etched his place in LSU history with his 89 yard punt return for a touchdown against Ole Miss on Halloween night in 1959. The play call from the LSU network that night was replayed on scoreboard shows across America.
Doug Moreau had a stellar career as a Tiger; one that is still being written as Doug remains close to the University as a member of the LSU Sports Network football broadcast team. Doug is currently the D.A. for East Baton Rouge Parish. Moreau played wide receiver and was the Tiger's placekicker from 1963 through 1965. In his junior year, he won the first two games of the year with field goals (9-6 against Texas A&M--thanks "Steve in San Jose" for the correction!--and 3-0 against Rice).� Doug was voted first team All-SEC in 1964 and was voted to the All-American team by the Football News in 1964. The image above shows Doug catching the game winning two-point conversion against Ole Miss in 1964.
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Charles Alexander played tailback at LSU from 1975 through 1978. Charles set nine SEC records and 27 LSU marks in his exciting career. He earned All-America honors in 1977 and 1978, was the SEC MVP in 1977, and placed 9th in Heisman Trophy race in 1977 and 5th in 1978. He was a first round draft choice of the Cincinnati Bengals and played in the 1981 Super Bowl.
As part of the famous LSU backfield duo known as the "Dalton-James" gang (Garry James being the other half) Dalton Hilliard enjoyed an outstanding career as a Bayou Bengal. Dalton went on to become one of the greatest running backs in the history of the NFL's New Orleans Saints.
Wendell Davis is considered one of the greatest wide receivers in the history of LSU football. Wendell was an All-American and All-SEC performer in 1986 and 1987. He was SEC MVP in 1987 and SEC Senior Player of the Year the same season. Davis caught 19 TD passes in his LSU career which is tops in Tiger history. Wendell set the LSU record for most passes caught in a game with 14 in a losing effort to Ole Miss in 1986.