What Is 1929 LSU Tigers football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1929 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University during the 1929 college football season, finishing with a 5–4 record under head coach Biff Jones. They played as a member of the Southern Conference and were outscored 120 to 99 over the course of the season.

Key Facts

The 1929 LSU Tigers finished with a 5–4 overall record
Biff Jones was the head coach in his first season at LSU
The team played in the Southern Conference (SoCon)
LSU was outscored 120–99 for the season
Home games were played at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge

Overview

The 1929 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University during the 1929 college football season. Competing as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon), the team was led by head coach Biff Jones in his first year at the helm. This season marked a transitional period for LSU football as it sought greater competitiveness in a challenging regional conference.

Under Jones' leadership, the Tigers compiled a 5–4 overall record, including a 1–3 mark in conference play. While the team showed flashes of potential, it struggled with consistency, particularly on defense. Despite the losing conference record, the season laid groundwork for future improvements in program structure and recruiting.

Record: The 1929 LSU Tigers finished with a 5–4 overall record and 1–3 in Southern Conference play.
Head Coach:Biff Jones took over as head coach in 1929, beginning a three-year tenure that would shape the program’s direction.
Scoring: LSU was outscored 120–99 over the nine-game season, averaging 13.3 points per game while allowing 13.2.
Home Field: The Tigers played home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, which had a capacity of approximately 12,000 at the time.
Notable Game: A 20–0 victory over rival Tulane stood out as the season’s highlight, showcasing defensive dominance.

Season Performance and Key Games

The 1929 campaign featured a mix of wins against regional opponents and narrow losses to stronger conference teams. The Tigers opened the season with promise but faltered in key matchups against top-tier SoCon competition.

Season Opener: LSU defeated Centenary 21–0 in Shreveport, setting an early tone with a strong defensive performance.
Conference Challenge: A 14–7 loss to Alabama revealed gaps against elite teams, despite a competitive effort.
Rivalry Win: The shutout of Tulane (20–0) was a significant achievement, preserving state bragging rights.
Defensive Struggles: The team allowed 27 points to Mississippi College, one of the highest totals of the season.
Season Finale: A 13–7 loss to Florida ended the season on a sour note, highlighting offensive inconsistency.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1929 season can be better understood by comparing it to adjacent years in LSU football history, revealing trends in performance and coaching impact.

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Head Coach	Points For	Points Against
1927	5–4	1–3	Matty Bell	98	63
1928	6–2–1	3–1–1	Matty Bell	103	46
1929	5–4	1–3	Biff Jones	99	120
1930	4–4–1	0–3–1	Biff Jones	88	93
1931	4–4–1	2–3–1	Biff Jones	97	96

This table shows that the 1929 season marked a decline from the strong 1928 campaign under Matty Bell. Biff Jones’ first year saw a drop in scoring efficiency and defensive reliability. While the overall record matched 1927, the point differential suggested regression. The team’s inability to maintain momentum from the previous season highlighted the challenges of coaching transition. Over the next few years, LSU would continue to struggle in conference play before gradual improvements emerged.

Why It Matters

The 1929 season is a footnote in LSU’s long football history but offers insight into the program’s development during the early 20th century. It reflects the volatility of coaching changes and the difficulty of sustaining success in a competitive conference.

Coaching Transition: The shift from Matty Bell to Biff Jones marked a new era, influencing recruiting and strategy.
Conference Context: Playing in the Southern Conference exposed LSU to high-level competition, preparing it for future SEC membership.
Program Growth: The use of Tiger Stadium helped build a home-field advantage and fan culture.
Rivalry Importance: The win over Tulane underscored the significance of in-state matchups in fan engagement.
Statistical Benchmark: Being outscored for the first time since 1925 signaled a need for roster improvements.
Historical Record: The 1929 season is preserved in LSU’s official media guides and NCAA records, contributing to the team’s legacy.

Though not a standout year, the 1929 LSU Tigers football team played a role in shaping the trajectory of the program. It serves as a reminder of the ebbs and flows inherent in collegiate sports, where each season contributes to a broader narrative of growth and resilience.