On Oct. 25, 1958, 62,000 fans crammed into Tiger Stadium for LSU’s homecoming game against Florida. The game was tied at 7 in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, with a perfect 5-0 record on the line.
And 1959 Heisman Trophy winner Billy Cannon still vividly remembers the emotionally charged game.
“I remember the Florida game and how good Florida was that year. I think my most vivid memory was when I had about a 65-yard touchdown run called back,” Cannon said laughing.
“It was like they killed me.”
Cannon’s 1958 homecoming memory is part of a storied LSU football tradition that dates back to the first homecoming game against Tulane in 1922. Homecoming weekends usually feature a football game as the center point along with parades and various other events.
During the 1958 game, Cannon carried four times for 20 yards on the winning drive to get into field goal range at the 19 with less than three minutes left. The game ended in a 10-7 LSU win after kicker Tommy Davis booted a
game-clinching field goal.
The homecoming victory propelled LSU to the top of the AP poll for the first time in program history.
“It was quite exciting, of course,” Cannon said. “The house was full, and that always helps because back in those days there wasn’t a problem with tickets.”
Senior Associate Athletic Director Herb Vincent said conference matchups are exciting, but the homecoming game is nostalgic.
“Tradition is such a big part of LSU athletics, and there’s a lot of tradition around homecoming,” Vincent said. “I think there’s a certain electricity around the homecoming game that makes it special.”
Cannon, who is serving as grand marshal of the homecoming parade this year, appreciates the tradition of hosting a football game but feels homecoming has a bigger meaning.
“I think homecoming is great. It’s special, and it’s not just a three-hour ball game,” Cannon said. “The great part about it is to have the alums back, the former students that are using their education to further their lives. When these guys and ladies walk this campus and pass the buildings teaching the same courses, it brings back so many great times and memories.”
Cannon said some of his favorite homecoming memories involve now obsolete traditions like band night and when the team voted for homecoming queen. Cannon said many LSU alumni share his fondness for homecoming.
“[Louisiana Secretary of State] Jay Dardenne was a student years back, and he was down on the field before the homecoming game,” Cannon recounted. “He said, ‘I can’t believe it, I’ve been in the stands all my life, but the feeling down here on this field, it’s unbelievable.’ He said ‘I want to hit somebody. I want to make a tackle.’ And we sat there and laughed and had a good time.”
Junior offensive guard Josh Dworaczyk said homecoming and the importance of alumni attendance is something the team talked about in the locker room.
“I hope the guys take to heart that you have to play with passion and emotion every single game, but at the homecoming game it’s OK to have a little more passion,” Dworaczyk said. “You’re playing for a lot more. You’re playing for the alumni and everybody coming back, and you definitely want to see a victory, and you want it to end in a pretty fashion.”
LSU has not suffered a homecoming loss since losing 13-10 to Alabama-Birmingham under then-coach Nick Saban in 2000. LSU recorded its biggest comeback after rallying from a 28-point deficit against Troy in the 2008 homecoming game.
The Tigers are facing off against Louisiana-Monroe in this year’s homecoming game. Junior quarterback Jordan Jefferson said the Tigers are excited for the game and the strong role it plays in LSU tradition.
“We’re a very traditional school and a traditional team, and we don’t break tradition,” Jefferson said.
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Contact Erin Henley at [email protected]