What Is 1964 LSU Tigers football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1964 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University during the 1964 NCAA University Division season, finishing with a 7–4 record under head coach Paul Dietzel. They played in the Orange Bowl, losing 13–7 to the Colorado Buffaloes on January 1, 1965.

Key Facts

1964 record: 7–4 overall
Head coach: Paul Dietzel
Final AP ranking: unranked
Orange Bowl appearance vs. Colorado
January 1, 1965 bowl game date

Overview

The 1964 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the 1964 NCAA University Division season, competing as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Led by head coach Paul Dietzel, the team finished with a 7–4 overall record and earned a berth in the Orange Bowl, marking a notable end to a transitional season for the program.

LSU’s performance in 1964 reflected a mix of strong defensive play and inconsistent offense. Despite high expectations early in the season, the Tigers struggled to maintain momentum, ultimately falling short of national title contention but still securing a major bowl invitation. The team’s season concluded with a hard-fought loss in the Orange Bowl.

Record: The Tigers finished the season with a 7–4 overall record, including a 4–3 mark in SEC play, placing them in the middle of the conference standings.
Head coach: Paul Dietzel, who had previously led LSU to a national championship in 1958, was in his final season as head coach before stepping down after the bowl game.
Orange Bowl: LSU faced the Colorado Buffaloes in the 1965 Orange Bowl on January 1, 1965, losing by a score of 13–7 in a defensive battle at the Miami Orange Bowl.
Defensive effort: The Tigers’ defense held Colorado to just 13 points, but LSU’s offense managed only one touchdown, highlighting offensive struggles throughout the season.
Season end: The loss to Colorado marked the end of Dietzel’s tenure, concluding with a 36–35–2 record over seven seasons at LSU.

Season Highlights and Key Games

The 1964 campaign featured several pivotal matchups that shaped LSU’s bowl eligibility and national perception. Early wins boosted hopes, but mid-season losses dampened championship aspirations.

September 26 vs. TCU: LSU opened the season with a 13–7 win over TCU, showcasing a resilient defense and balanced offensive attack.
October 10 vs. Ole Miss: A 17–13 loss to Ole Miss marked a turning point, as LSU failed to capitalize on key scoring opportunities.
October 24 vs. Tennessee: The Tigers defeated Tennessee 10–0, demonstrating their defensive strength with a shutout performance.
November 7 vs. Tulane: LSU won 14–0 in a dominant in-state rivalry game, preserving their bowl eligibility hopes.
November 21 vs. Arkansas: A 10–7 loss to Arkansas hurt LSU’s conference standing and eliminated them from SEC title contention.
November 28 vs. Rice: The Tigers closed the regular season with a 21–14 win over Rice, securing their seventh win and bowl qualification.

Comparison at a Glance

LSU’s 1964 season compared to recent years highlights shifts in team performance and coaching transitions.

Season	Record	Head Coach	Bowl Game	Final Ranking
1962	9–1–1	Paul Dietzel	Orange Bowl	#7 AP
1963	8–3	Paul Dietzel	no bowl	unranked
1964	7–4	Paul Dietzel	Orange Bowl	unranked
1965	4–6	R.C. Slocum (interim)	no bowl	unranked
1966	6–4	R.C. Slocum	no bowl	unranked

The table illustrates a gradual decline in performance from 1962 to 1964, culminating in Dietzel’s departure. While the 1964 team maintained bowl eligibility, the lack of a final ranking and close losses indicated a program in transition.

Why It Matters

The 1964 LSU Tigers season is significant for its role in the program’s coaching transition and bowl history. Though not a championship year, it marked the end of an era and set the stage for future rebuilding.

End of Dietzel era: Paul Dietzel’s resignation after the Orange Bowl concluded a seven-year tenure that included a national title but ended with declining win totals.
Bowl participation: LSU’s appearance in the Orange Bowl maintained the program’s national presence despite a losing record in the game.
Defensive identity: The team’s low points allowed per game (14.5) reflected a continued emphasis on strong defense under Dietzel’s leadership.
Offensive struggles: Averaging just 16.8 points per game highlighted the need for offensive modernization in subsequent seasons.
SEC competitiveness: LSU remained competitive in the conference, facing strong opponents like Ole Miss and Tennessee in tightly contested games.
Historical context: The 1964 season serves as a bridge between LSU’s golden era and the rebuilding years of the late 1960s.

In summary, the 1964 LSU Tigers football team, while not among the most successful in program history, played a crucial role in the evolution of LSU football. Their season encapsulated the challenges of sustaining success and the impact of coaching changes on a storied program.