Auburn-LSU: The Twilight Zone of College Football

You're traveling to another college football game, a game not only of hard-hitting action but of the unusual; a journey into a battle between the two Tigers of the SEC West. That's the signpost up ahead—your next stop, Tiger Stadium, Auburn vs. LSU 2009.

In what would seem as a normal divisional SEC rivalry, there is absolutely nothing normal about this series. Auburn and LSU have met with more at stake in previous seasons, but nothing can compare to some of the unusual events that have occurred when the Tigers meet on the gridiron. Here are the top games in the last 25 years:

Oct. 8, 1988: The Earthquake Game

Auburn had led LSU for much of the night inside Tiger Stadium. It was 6-0 with 6:07 left in the fourth quarter.

With 1:41 left on the clock, LSU quarterback Tommy Hodson passed to Eddie Fuller on a 4th and 10 on the Auburn 11 to tie the game 6-6, with a LSU place-kicker David Browndyke PAT to make it 7-6. 

The score elicited such a joyful response from the home-standing crowd, Tiger Stadium literally shook the ground, causing the near-by campus seismograph to register the event. 

From that day on, the "Earthquake Game" has been cemented as one of the corner stones between the battle of the Tigers.

Sept. 17, 1994: The Interception Game

LSU had Auburn completely dominated during the game, leading 23-9 into the fourth quarter. 

As with the craziness that comes with the game, LSU quarterback Jamie Howard threw five interceptions, three returned for touchdowns, as Auburn would come from behind to win 30-26. 

It would extend Auburn's win streak to 15, and cause Howard to receive several death threats after the contest.

Sept. 16, 1995: LSU "Bring Back the Magic"/ Auburn "The Whistle game"

LSU decided to wear their white jerseys at home for the first time in 13 years.  During the game, Auburn quarterback Patrick Nix thought he heard a whistle, causing him to stand in his own end zone and consequently was sacked. 

The Bayou Bengals won 12-6 on LSU's Troy Twillie interception from Nix on the final play of the game.

Sept. 21, 1996: "The Night the Barn Burned"

I witnessed this game in person at the ripe age of 11.  During the middle of the game, the old Auburn Sports Arena, affectionately called "The Barn", caught on fire as a barbecue grill was set too close to the building. 

Piles of black smoke poured from behind the southeast corner of the stadium.  It had everyone thinking the stadium was on fire. 

PA announcer Carl Stevens would announce that the stadium was not on fire, but those that parked their vehicles next to the barn should move them immediately. 

People sitting in my section did not stir until Carl announced that they would be re-admitted into the stadium if they needed to move their car. 

LSU would end up winning the game 19-15.

Sept. 20, 1997: "The Comeback"

Auburn quarterback Dameyune Craig and the offense had the ball with 3:13 remaining in the football game.  Craig would lead an 80-yard drive down to the end zone, where Rusty Williams would leap into the end zone with 30 seconds remaining to go up 31-28. 

LSU would get as close to the Auburn 47, as kicker Wade Richey attempted a long field goal. Auburn's Quinton Reese blocked the attempt to seal the Auburn victory.

Sept. 18, 1999: "The Cigar Game"

Head Coach Tommy Tuberville's birthday happened to fall on the same date as this Tiger battle. Though as there was nothing unusual during the game as Auburn routed LSU 41-7, the post-game festivities for Tuberville and his team included passing out cigars. 

As much fun as they had during the celebration, this is the last time Auburn has beaten LSU inside Tiger Stadium.

Sept. 18, 2004: "The Extra Point Game" or "The Hurricane Game"

After the Auburn area was hit with the remnants of Hurricane Ivan, the Tigers met inside Jordan-Hare Stadium again on Tuberville's birthday. The big deal in this game was the extra points by both squads. 

LSU would miss an extra point in the first quarter, and led 9-3 for most of the game.  A late fourth-quarter drive by Auburn's Jason Campbell would steer the orange and blue Tigers into LSU territory.

Campbell would complete two crucial passes to Auburn wide receiver Courtney Taylor.  One pass would be on a fourth-and-12 to keep the drive alive.  The other pass, known on the Plains as "The Catch," from Campbell to Taylor would tie the game 9-9.

Auburn's placekicker John Vaughn would miss the first extra point, but a penalty called on LSU would allow Vaughn to attempt the point after again. 

The second time, the kick found its way between the uprights, giving Auburn the 10-9 lead and eventually the victory.

Oct. 22, 2005: "Five Wide"

Auburn's John Vaughn would soon be the scapegoat of this Auburn defeat by LSU.  Auburn and LSU were tied 17-17 going into overtime.  By this time, Vaughn had missed four field goals. 

LSU would kick a go-ahead field goal off the first possession, leading 20-17.  Vaughn would attempt a 39-yard field goal, only to have it bounce off the left upright, giving LSU the win.

These are only a few of the games that highlight this rivalry between the Tigers on the Plains and the Bayou Bengals. 

If anything, this has been a great gridiron match over the years.  Twelve of the 21 meetings since 1988 have been decided by a touchdown or less, not to mention quirky and highly unusual events on and off the field.

So if you believe that this year's match up between Auburn and LSU would be any different, I would tell you otherwise. 

This game is very different than anything else you will experience.  This game is :

THE TIGER BOWL, AUBURN VS. LSU