Between the Lines: The Tigers’ first game of the season is always electric
This football season, we’re bringing the archives of The Register and inRegister back to life with Between the Lines, a series dedicated to LSU’s history, tradition and unmistakable spirit. From campus fashion to tailgate recipes and beyond, our archives hold decades of stories that deserve more than a single page at the back of our monthly print issue.
Each feature will draw from issues spanning more than half a century, offering a look at how Baton Rouge has shown up for the team that unites it season after season, win, lose or draw. Consider this our first snap.
The September 1970 issue of inRegister’s predecessor, The Register, captures the electric atmosphere around the season’s first kickoff. The cover feature, “Win, Lose or Draw-Tigers Support LSU Team,” details that first-game feeling. “Win, lose or draw…There is just something about that first home game of the Tigers!” the article starts.
A win is always preferred, but it seems that regardless the outcome, that first game of the season ignites the city in a way nothing else does. LSU kicked off the 1970 football season with a match against Texas A&M, which ended in an 18-20 loss for the Tigers. “It might be added that the weather never diminished its attention, being boiling hot up until the game was over,” the article states. “And the field fireworks certainly were never turned off. The see-saw game kept fans on the edge of their seats from the kickoff—and even that live Bengal tiger seemed to be less lethargic than usual, roaring and snarling as though he would try to scare away the invader.”
This year, with new head coach Lane Kiffin leading the Tigers into the season, Baton Rouge has been buzzing with anticipation since his hiring was announced at the end of last year.
Aside from LSU demolishing Clemson 10-51, ESPN’s College GameDay was on campus Saturday morning, and the game was noted as the most celebrity-credentialed in Tiger Stadium history. The Register was right—win, lose or draw, rain or shine—that first game is electric.
“It sets the mood for fall—and even when fans sit through a stunning defeat like that dealt the Tigers in those last seconds of the first home game when Texas A&M Aggies downed LSU by a puny two points, none of us lost our zest for football nor our warm determination to show our school spirit,” the article reads.
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With this enduring admiration for the Tigers, LSU keeps its reputation as one of the most intimidating places to play football, and fans’ unwavering support can be credited for wins like the one this weekend.
The article finally notes that Tiger Stadium rightfully earned its name “Death Valley” (the real one) because of the roars and cheers of Tiger fans always surrounding opposing teams, win or lose. Rain or shine.
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