What Is 1919 LSU Tigers football team

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1919 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University during the 1919 college football season, finishing with a 3-2-1 record under head coach Branch B. Davis, who was in his second year leading the program.

Key Facts

The 1919 LSU Tigers football team had a final record of 3 wins, 2 losses, and 1 tie (3-2-1)
Branch B. Davis served as head coach for his second season in 1919
LSU played as an independent team with no conference affiliation
The team scored a total of 40 points across six games
Notable opponents included Tulane and Mississippi College

Overview

The 1919 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University during the 1919 college football season. Competing as an independent, the team was led by head coach Branch B. Davis in his second year at the helm. The season marked a modest improvement in performance compared to previous years, though it lacked the consistency needed for a dominant record.

Playing six games in total, the Tigers finished with a 3-2-1 win-loss-tie record. The team scored 40 points while allowing 44, indicating a relatively balanced but inconsistent season. As was common for Southern teams at the time, LSU did not belong to a formal conference and scheduled a mix of regional opponents.

Season Record: The Tigers finished the 1919 season with a 3-2-1 overall record, showing moderate competitiveness across six games.
Head Coach: Branch B. Davis led the team in his second season, continuing efforts to build a stronger program amid limited resources.
Scoring Totals: LSU scored 40 points over the season, averaging about 6.7 points per game, which reflected the low-scoring nature of the era.
Defensive Performance: The defense allowed 44 points, slightly more than they scored, highlighting inconsistency in game outcomes.
Opponent Mix: The schedule included regional rivals such as Tulane, Mississippi College, and Centenary, typical of Southern independents in the 1910s.

How It Works

Understanding the 1919 LSU Tigers football season involves examining the structure of college football at the time, including scheduling, coaching roles, and scoring norms. Teams operated independently, with no formal conference alignment, and relied on regional matchups.

Independent Status: LSU competed as an independent in 1919, meaning it was not part of any athletic conference and set its own schedule.
Coaching Role: Branch B. Davis was responsible for player development, game strategy, and recruitment during a time when coaching staffs were minimal.
Game Scheduling: The team played six games, a typical number for the era, with opponents arranged through informal agreements.
Scoring Rules: In 1919, touchdowns were worth 5 points and field goals 3, influencing offensive strategies compared to modern football.
Player Roster: Rosters were small by today’s standards, with players often participating on both offense and defense due to limited substitutions.
Travel & Logistics: Teams traveled shorter distances, often by train, limiting competition to regional schools within the South.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1919 LSU Tigers compare to other seasons in the early 1920s in terms of record and performance:

Season	Record (W-L-T)	Head Coach	Points For	Points Against
1919	3-2-1	Branch B. Davis	40	44
1920	6-2-0	Branch B. Davis	137	53
1921	6-2-1	Branch B. Davis	113	37
1922	4-2-1	Mike Donahue	79	48
1923	6-1-1	Mike Donahue	104	38

The table shows a clear upward trend in performance starting in 1920, just one year after the 1919 season. While 1919 was a transitional year with a below-.500 winning percentage, the following seasons under Davis and then Mike Donahue saw improved records and stronger scoring margins, indicating program growth.

Why It Matters

The 1919 season is a snapshot of LSU football during its formative years, reflecting the challenges and norms of early 20th-century college football. Though not a standout year, it contributed to the long-term development of the program.

Historical Context: The 1919 season occurred just after World War I, a time when college sports were regaining momentum after wartime disruptions.
Program Development: Each season, including 1919, helped LSU refine its coaching and recruiting strategies for future success.
Coaching Continuity: Branch B. Davis’s tenure laid groundwork that later coaches built upon, despite limited win totals.
Regional Rivalries: Games against Tulane and other Southern schools helped establish regional traditions that persist today.
Evolution of Rules: The 1919 season reflects outdated scoring rules and minimal substitutions, showing how much the sport has changed.
Legacy Building: Even modest seasons like 1919 are part of LSU’s broader football history, contributing to its eventual rise as a national power.

While the 1919 LSU Tigers did not achieve national recognition, the season remains a piece of the university’s athletic heritage, illustrating the gradual progression of college football in the South.