LSU Football: The 25 Best Bowl Games in School History

LSU is one of the most storied programs in all of college football.

This year the Tigers are off to a great start and ranked as the No. 1 team in the country. But LSU has been here before, and they have concluded those seasons with plenty of memorable finishes.

From the Gator Bowl, to the Peach Bowl, to the Sugar Bowl, to the BCS National Championship—this team has been through it all and performed great on the biggest possible stage in college football.

Let's break down the 25 best bowl games in LSU history.

Bleacher Report style!

25. 1987 Sugar Bowl

Nebraska 30, LSU 15

In the 1987 Sugar Bowl, LSU was the No. 5-ranked team in the country and went up against No. 6-ranked Nebraska, which marked the third time in a five-year span that these two teams played one another in a bowl game.

Unfortunately for LSU, the Tigers came up on the short end in this game. But it was an exciting game filled with runs, that started off with LSU jumping out 7-0, followed by Nebraska scoring 30 straight points. The Tigers added a score to make it close, but Nebraska closed it out at the end.

24. 2010 Capital One Bowl

Penn State 19, LSU 17

This was better known as the "mud bowl."

In a sloppy, mud-filled game, LSU rode the arm and legs of Jordan Jefferson, who somehow managed to throw for 200-plus yards in the rain. 

Jefferson led LSU on an early fourth-quarter drive to take a lead, but Penn State would put together a game-winning field-goal drive in the final minutes of the game, which sealed the victory for Penn State over the Tigers in this one.

23. 2003 Cotton Bowl

Texas 25, LSU 20

This 2003 Cotton Bowl matchup featured two of the top backfields in the country that year. Texas had the duo of Cedric Benson and Selvin Young, while LSU countered with Domanick Davis and LaBrandon Toefield.

In the end, LSU out-rushed Texas by more than 100 yards, but the X-factor was Texas QB Chris Simms, who threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns in the win for Texas.

The two teams combined for over 800 yards in this memorable offensive shootout. Unfortunately, it didn't end up in the Tigers' favor when it was all said and done.

22. 2005 Capital One Bowl

Iowa 30, LSU 25

While LSU did not come out on the winning end of this game, it's hard to find many better bowl games than this one in 2005.

The Tigers were led by a dominant rushing attack featuring Joseph Addai and played three separate quarterbacks in this game, including Marcus Randle, JaMarcus Russell and Matt Flynn.

Trailing by 12 midway through the fourth quarter, Skyler Green electrified the Tigers with back-to-back touchdowns to go up 25-24 with under a minute to go. But Iowa's Drew Tate threw up a last-second Hail Mary pass to Warren Holloway, which he caught and trotted into the end zone to end the game with no time left on the clock. 

21. 1983 Orange Bowl

Nebraska 21, LSU 20

This was one of the most unusual bowl games to be played because the national champion had been decided earlier in the day when Penn State beat Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, so essentially, both of these teams were playing for just a win.

LSU dominated the first half, but the Cornhuskers outscored the Tigers 14-6 in the second half, led by Nebraska quarterback Turner Gill. LSU kicked a late field goal but could not get the ball back at the end as Nebraska ran out the clock for the win.

With the win, the Cornhuskers obtained the No. 3 ranking in the country.

20. 1979 Tangerine Bowl

LSU 34, Wake Forest 10

LSU was dominant in this bowl, marching down the field on its first three drives, two of which resulted in touchdowns. The Tigers took an early lead and rode the wave from there on out.

LSU quarterback David Woodley was the star in this game, passing for 273 yards and a touchdown, as well as rushing for 68 yards and two separate scores.

19. 1987 Gator Bowl

LSU 30, South Carolina 13

This game had extra meaning for the Tigers because it was Mike Archer's first year as the team's head coach.

Wendell Davis was the star in this game. The former All-American hauled in nine passes for 132 yards and three touchdowns. All three of those TD passes came from Tommy Hodson who passed for 224 yards in addition to those three scores.

Over 82,000 were in attendance to see this offensive explosion from the Tigers.

18. 1997 Independence Bowl

LSU 27, Notre Dame 9

Notre Dame was favored in this game after haven beaten LSU earlier in the year, and it certainly didn't help the Tigers' cause when Kevin Faulk went out with an injury earlier in the game.

The Fighting Irish actually led this game at halftime, but an unlikely hero, Rondell Mealey, came to the rescue for the Tigers. He ran the ball 34 times for an eye-popping 222 yards and two touchdown runs.

Both of Mealey's scoring runs came in the fourth quarter to put the game away and chalk up a W for the Tigers.

17. 2011 Cotton Bowl

LSU 41, Texas A&M 24

Texas A&M featured one of the top defenses in the regular season, but LSU ran all over the Aggies after getting off to a slow start and trailing 10-0 early on.

Junior quarterback Jordan Jefferson was the star in this one, accounting for all four touchdowns in the game. As a whole, the Tigers rushed for a season-best 288 yards on the ground as the Tigers took down Mike Sherman's club in Cowboys Stadium.

With the win LSU finished 11-2 and were ranked No. 8 in the final USA Today Poll.

16. 1996 Peach Bowl

LSU 10, Clemson 7

This game certainly wasn't the offensive shootout that some had anticipated, but this defensive battle turned out to be a memorable bowl game.

LSU had an All-American running back in Kevin Faulk, who was held to under 100 yards rushing, but his three-yard touchdown run proved to be the only score in the game.

LSU quarterback Herb Tyler managed the game and helped lead the Tigers to a win in the Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome. The win gave the Tigers their second straight bowl victory.

15. 2005 Peach Bowl

LSU 40, Miami 3

LSU's star quarterback JaMarcus Russell was out with an injury, but backup Matt Flynn filled in beautifully and led the Tigers to an impressive win over No. 9-ranked Miami.

Flynn threw for 196 yards and two touchdowns, and Joseph Addai added 130 yards and a rushing score in the victory. The win marked the most lopsided game in LSU's bowl history.

While the score wasn't exactly close, the game was certainly one that LSU will remember due to its blowout score.

14. 1963 Cotton Bowl

LSU 13, Texas 0

The Texas Longhorns entered this game unbeaten, but LSU's defense was dominant from start to finish, holding Texas scoreless in this heavyweight slugfest.

LSU quarterback Jimmy Field passed for 93 yards and scored the game's lone touchdown on a 22-yard run. Former All-American running back Jerry Stovall also played a key role in the win for LSU.

Over 75,000 were on hand for this big-time bowl game.

13. 1947 Cotton Bowl

LSU 0, Arkansas 0

This is the famous game known by all as college football's "Ice Bowl."

Dallas was rocked by snow and ice, causing some of the craziest field conditions in bowl-game memory.

All in all, LSU dominated the game despite both teams being held scoreless throughout. The Tigers gained 271 yards of offense compared to Arkansas' 54 yards, but the weather just wouldn't allow any scoring.

12. 1995 Independence Bowl

LSU 45, LSU 26

The Tigers kicked off the Gerry DiNardo era with a big-time win over Michigan State.

The Spartans actually led at halftime, but the Tigers scored 24 straight unanswered points in the second half, which broke the game open.

No one in this game even came close to matching the production of LSU All-American running back Kevin Faulk. The Tigers' stud back rushed for a bowl-record 234 yards en route to the bowl MVP award. In all, LSU set or tied 11 Independence Bowl records in the big-time win.

11. 1968 Peach Bowl

LSU 31, Florida State 27

This was an offensive showdown as anticipated, and it was a great battle between two very good quarterbacks.

But in the end, LSU's Mike Hillman got the better of Florida State's Bill Cappelman.

Hillman passed for 229 yards and two touchdowns and Maurice LeBlanc was great running the ball, rushing for just under 100 yards and the game-winning score.

10. 1936 Sugar Bowl

TCU 3, LSU 2

Many thought that this game had all the looks of a big-time score-fest, but a heavy amount of rain left Tulane Stadium drenched.

TCU's Sammy Baugh and LSU's Abe Mickal were two of the best passers in the game, but this game came down to some good defense and kicking.

The second annual Sugar Bowl turned out to be first touchdown-less bowl game ever played. There were only 15 total first downs in this game, which resulted in five total points. Certainly, one for the record books.

9. 1968 Sugar Bowl

LSU 20, Wyoming 13

Wyoming was the biggest surprise in college football during the 1968 season, finishing the regular season with an unbeaten record. But LSU ruled this game and came out on top.

LSU running back Glenn Smith took home MVP honors after running for 74 yards and the game's lone rushing touchdown.

LSU quarterback Nelson Stokley threw two touchdown passes as well as the Tigers marched to victory.

8. 2007 Sugar Bowl

LSU 41, Notre Dame 14

This game isn't on the list because it was necessarily a good game; it's because of what a big win this was for LSU over a Notre Dame team that sure got a lot of attention throughout the year.

JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn were two of the top quarterbacks in the country, but Russell outshined the overrated Quinn in this one. The former No. 1 pick passed for 332 yards and a pair of touchdowns and the Tigers defense tamed Notre Dame's well-respected offense.

The Tigers held Quinn to just 15-of-25 passing with two interceptions.

A dominant showing by a dominant team.

7. 2008 Chick-Fil-a-Bowl

LSU 38, Georgia Tech 3

LSU's defense was dominant in this game, completely shutting down Georgia Tech's feared triple-option attack. In fact, LSU limited Georgia Tech to just 45 yards of offense and only three first downs throughout the entire game.

On offense, Jordan Jefferson played solid in his first bowl game at LSU. The freshman quarterback passed for 142 yards and a score, but it was tailback Charles Scott who stole the show, rushing for three touchdown scores.

Not the closest game, but certainly a memorable one on LSU's side. Not so much for Georgia Tech.

6. 1965 Sugar Bowl

LSU 13, Syracuse 10

This game was a defensive battle, and when LSU got behind early, things didn't look good for the Tigers.

But the quarterback duo of Billy Ezell and Pat Screen helped lead LSU to a comeback win. Ezzel hooked up with Doug Moreau for the Tigers' lone touchdown of the game, and a two-point conversion and a field goal proved to be the difference.

Over 60,000 were on hand to see this epic Sugar Bowl battle in college football.

5. 1959 Sugar Bowl

LSU 7, Clemson 0

The Tigers' first Sugar Bowl victory in school history was one of the best. And in addition to that, this victory capped off a memorable undefeated season for LSU.

Billy Cannon was one of the best players in LSU program history and he was solid in this one. Cannon rushed for 51 yards and also threw a touchdown pass to Mickey Mangham in the third quarter, which proved to be the only score of the game.

4. 2000 Peach Bowl

LSU 28, Georgia Tech 14

Over 70,000 were on hand for this big game between two of college football's best.

This game is when Rohan Davey got introduced to the college football world in a big-time bowl. He led LSU to a 28-13 come-from-behind victory thanks to Davey sparking the team in the second half. He threw three second-half touchdowns, one of which went to All-American Josh Reed and proved to be the winning score in the game.

Perhaps the most impressive stat in this game came from LSU's defense. Georgia Tech had only turned the ball over 12 total times all season prior to this game, but the Tigers forced six turnovers in this prime-time game.

3. 2002 Sugar Bowl

LSU 47, Illinois 34

Rohan Davey had one of the single most dominant performances of any quarterback in Sugar Bowl history in this offensive shootout.

The Tigers quarterback passed for 444 yards and three touchdowns in this game. He hooked up with All-American Josh Reed 14 times for 239 yards, both of which are Sugar Bowl records. He also added two touchdown receptions in the win.

As a team, LSU racked up a Sugar Bowl-record 595 yards of total offense and the Tigers' 34 first-half points were the most-ever points in a half of a Sugar Bowl contest. In total, LSU set eight total Sugar Bowl records in the victory.

2. 2008 BCS National Championship

LSU 38, Ohio State 24

LSU backed its way into this BCS National Championship Game and after facing an early 10-0 deficit; the Tigers came back to post a 38-24 win over top-ranked Ohio State.

The Tigers used a dominant offensive attack to outscore Ohio State 31-0 over a span that stretched from late in the first quarter to midway through the third quarter.

The victory gave LSU its second BCS title in five years and the school’s third overall national championship in football.

Matt Flynn threw for four touchdowns and Jacob Hester rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown in the win.

1. 2004 BCS National Championship

LSU 21, Oklahoma 14

In one of the most memorable national championship games of the past decade, LSU used a dominant defense to limit Oklahoma's explosive offense to fewer than 200 yards of offense en route to capturing the second national championship in school history.

The Tigers finished this year with a final record of 13-1 and an SEC title as well.

LSU running back Justin Vincent was the MVP of the game. He rushed for 117 yards and a score in the memorable win for Nick Saban and the Tigers.