What Is 1957 LSU Tigers football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1957 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University during the 1957 NCAA University Division football season, finishing with a 5–5 record under head coach Paul Dietzel.

Key Facts

The 1957 LSU Tigers finished the season with a 5–5 overall record
Head coach Paul Dietzel led the team in his third season at LSU
LSU played in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and went 4–3 in conference play
The team played its home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
LSU did not participate in a bowl game in 1957

Overview

The 1957 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University during the 1957 NCAA University Division football season. Competing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team was led by head coach Paul Dietzel in his third year at the helm. Despite a .500 overall record, the season was a transitional phase between LSU's dominant 1958 national championship campaign and earlier rebuilding years.

Playing their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, the Tigers showed flashes of potential but struggled with consistency. They finished with a 5–5 overall record and a 4–3 mark in SEC play, placing them in the middle of the conference standings. The team did not qualify for a postseason bowl game, a rare occurrence in LSU's otherwise strong football tradition.

Record: The Tigers finished the season with a 5–5 overall record, their first non-winning season since 1954 and a dip from their 9–2 record in 1956.
SEC Performance: In conference play, LSU went 4–3, defeating teams like Kentucky and Ole Miss but losing key matchups to Tennessee and Florida.
Head Coach:Paul Dietzel was in his third season and would go on to lead LSU to a national title just one year later in 1958.
Home Stadium: All home games were played at Tiger Stadium, which had a capacity of around 65,000 at the time and was already a feared venue.
Bowl Eligibility: The team did not qualify for a postseason bowl game, breaking a streak of appearances in 1954 and 1955 and preceding the 1958 Sugar Bowl win.

Season Performance

The 1957 season was marked by inconsistency, with LSU winning and losing alternately through much of the schedule. The team showed promise on defense but lacked the offensive firepower seen in previous and subsequent years.

September Start: LSU opened with a 21–0 win over TCU in Fort Worth, showing strong defensive dominance early in the season.
Loss to Tennessee: A 14–7 defeat to Tennessee in October exposed offensive shortcomings, as the Tigers failed to score in the second half.
Win Over Ole Miss: The Tigers defeated Ole Miss 13–0, showcasing a stifling defense that held opponents to single-digit points in multiple games.
Defensive Strength: LSU's defense allowed just 12.5 points per game on average, a testament to their disciplined, hard-nosed style under Dietzel.
Offensive Struggles: The offense averaged only 17.1 points per game, hampered by inconsistent quarterback play and limited depth.
Final Game: LSU ended the season with a 14–0 loss to Tulane in the Bayou Bowl, a rare defeat to their in-state rival at the time.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 1957 season compares to adjacent years in LSU football history:

Year	Overall Record	SEC Record	Head Coach	Bowl Result
1955	6–4	4–3	Paul Dietzel	Lost Sugar Bowl
1956	9–2	5–1	Paul Dietzel	Won Sugar Bowl
1957	5–5	4–3	Paul Dietzel	No bowl
1958	11–0	7–0	Paul Dietzel	Won Sugar Bowl, National Title
1959	9–2	5–1	Paul Dietzel	Won Sugar Bowl

The 1957 season stands out as a dip in performance between two highly successful campaigns. While the team maintained a competitive defense, offensive inconsistency and a lack of depth prevented LSU from contending for the SEC title. The contrast with the undefeated 1958 national championship season highlights how pivotal coaching adjustments and player development were during this era.

Why It Matters

The 1957 season is often overlooked but played a crucial role in the development of LSU's football identity under Paul Dietzel. It served as a foundation year that informed the strategies leading to the 1958 national title.

Development Year: The struggles of 1957 allowed Dietzel to refine his game plans and identify weaknesses ahead of the dominant 1958 season.
Player Growth: Key players like Johnny Robinson gained experience that would pay off in future championship runs.
Coaching Insight: Dietzel used this season to perfect the three-platoon system, which became a hallmark of LSU’s success.
Recruiting Momentum: Despite the record, LSU maintained strong recruiting, setting up future talent influxes.
Historical Context: The season reminds fans that even elite programs have transitional years before breakthroughs.
Legacy Building: The 1957 team contributed to the culture of resilience that defined LSU football in the late 1950s.

In summary, while the 1957 LSU Tigers did not achieve on-field greatness, their season was a necessary step in a larger journey toward national prominence. Their record reflects challenges, but their impact on future success is undeniable.