What Is 1917 LSU Tigers football team

Overview

The 1917 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University during the 1917 college football season, marking the 25th season of the program. Under the leadership of first-year head coach Dana X. Bible, the team achieved a respectable 6–2–1 record, showcasing both offensive strength and defensive resilience.

The Tigers competed as members of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA), one of the earliest collegiate athletic conferences in the South. Despite the challenges of World War I affecting college sports nationwide, LSU managed a strong season, outscoring their opponents by a significant margin.

• Record: The team finished with a 6–2–1 overall record, including five shutout victories, demonstrating consistent performance throughout the season.
• Scoring: LSU tallied 177 total points while allowing only 55, giving them a positive point differential of +122 for the year.
• Coach: Dana X. Bible took over as head coach in 1917, beginning a tenure that would eventually lead to multiple conference titles in later years.
• Home Field: The Tigers played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, which had a capacity of approximately 12,000 at the time.
• Conference: LSU competed in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA), a precursor to the modern Southeastern Conference (SEC).

Season Performance

The 1917 season featured a mix of regional opponents, many of whom were military training units due to wartime conditions. This context influenced team rosters and scheduling across the South, making consistency a challenge for many programs.

• Opening Game: LSU defeated Southwestern Louisiana Institute 41–0, setting a dominant tone with a 41-point shutout performance.
• Key Victory: A 14–0 win over in-state rival Tulane highlighted the team’s defensive strength and regional competitiveness.
• Close Match: The Tigers tied 13–13 with Texas A&M, a strong program at the time, showing they could compete with top-tier Southern teams.
• Loss to Sewanee: LSU fell 7–0 to Sewanee, a well-established SIAA opponent, in a tightly contested defensive battle.
• Final Game: The season concluded with a 13–0 win over Mississippi A&M, securing a winning record and strong defensive finish.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the 1917 LSU Tigers with other notable SIAA teams from that season:

This table illustrates that LSU’s defensive performance was among the best in the SIAA, allowing only 55 points all season. Their scoring output and win total placed them just behind powerhouses like Sewanee and Texas A&M, both of whom had only one loss.

Why It Matters

The 1917 season was a foundational year for LSU football, establishing Dana X. Bible as a capable leader and setting the stage for future success. The team’s performance helped solidify LSU’s reputation in Southern college football during a transitional era.

• Program Growth: The 1917 season marked the beginning of a more structured and competitive era for LSU football under Bible’s leadership.
• Wartime Context: Many college teams included military trainees, making LSU’s consistent roster and performance particularly notable.
• Defensive Excellence: Allowing only 55 points in nine games highlighted a disciplined and effective defensive unit.
• Regional Rivalries: Games against Tulane and Texas A&M helped strengthen longstanding regional rivalries still active today.
• Stadium Legacy: Playing at Tiger Stadium, even in its early form, contributed to the venue’s growing tradition and prestige.
• Historical Record: The 6–2–1 record remains part of LSU’s official football history, contributing to its all-time win-loss tally.

The 1917 LSU Tigers may not have won a championship, but their season laid important groundwork for the program’s future in the evolving landscape of Southern college football.