Hello Marvelous People! Please enjoy this guest blog from Chip Etier.
It Happens Every Home Game
“Let’s go watch the band march in.”
We had just about wrapped up our tailgate party (circa September 1981) and were relaxing waiting for time to go to our seats, when my neighbor, Mike (not the Tiger), made that suggestion. We had our kids with us and everyone enjoys a parade, right?
This isn’t officially a parade, but it might as well be one.
About an hour or so before kickoff, the Golden Band from Tigerland assembles outside the band hall, near the Greek Theater on Dalrymple Drive. Their march carries them to Field House Drive and finally a right turn onto North Stadium. That turn is situated at the top of a hill known to Tiger fans as “Victory Hill.”
Thousands of fans line North Stadium Road and watch for activity at the top of the hill. As soon as the drum cadence can be heard, the cheers begin. We were waiting with the crowd and I put my son up on my shoulders so he could see better. The human version of LSU’s mascot, “Mike the Tiger” leads the procession with the Golden Girls right behind. The color guard is next followed by the drums and the rest of the band.
Anticipation is about to peak.
The entourage stops when the drumline reaches the bottom of the hill so that most of the band is on the hillside. The cadence stops and the crowd awaits eagerly.
Cymbals crash, snare drums rattle and are quickly joined by the entire drumline. The band raises their instruments, do a quarter turn to the left and fulfill the crowds desire with the most famous four notes in college football -- “HOLD THAT TIE-GAH!”
A half-turn back and it’s repeated to the right side of the street. By now, the cheers are so loud and continuous, it’s hard to hear the 325 member band. A quick segue into “Touchdown for LSU” and the band begins to run in tempo down the hill and to their entrance into Tiger Stadium.
Some SEC schools have well known two-word slogans but only LSU has those famous four notes. Their sound sends shivers down spines and motivates the faithful.
The Earthquake Game
Prior to the 2011 season, it was rare that the margin of victory in the annual regular season game between LSU and Auburn would be more than a touchdown. More often than not, it was even less. One, two, and three point games were common place. Most games between these rivals were -- and still are memorable.
And so it was in 1988. LSU trailed 6 - 0 when Tommy Hodson threw a touchdown pass to Eddie Fuller with barely a minute left in the game. LSU converted on the extra point and held on to win 7 - 6.
The Louisiana Geological Survey had a seismograph set up in the geology department near Tiger Stadium. The morning after the game, it was discovered, that the crowd’s reaction had registered on the Richter scale.
I was there.
I’ll never forget the “earthquake game.”
Eric Reid's incredible interception against Alabama
This play is most likely the key play (in an undefeated season) that is responsible for LSU being in the BCS National Championship Game. It was reviewed by the instant re-play official. The call on the field was not reversed. LSU eventually won. Reid’s interception was chosen by several pundits as “The Play of the Year” for 2011.
Had Eric Reid not made this interception, maybe Alabama would have scored a touchdown and perhaps won the regular season game between these two long-time rivals. Who knows what MIGHT have happened?
All we can say for sure is what DID happen. LSU earned their way in to the title game with an undefeated season and consensus number one rating by all the raters. Alabama got into the game because two other teams lost.
Many football fans around the country aren’t happy that two teams from the same conference are in the title game.
SEC diehards are happy with a sixth consecutive national title for their conference.
Many LSU fans remember what Nick Saban said when he was head coach of LSU, “Any team that cannot win their own conference has no business playing for the national title.”
Alabama didn’t win their own division within their conference this season.
It is what it is. Monday night, January 9, 2012, we’ll see what shapes up to be another great game.
That football ain’t round, and it takes some crazy bounces. It could be that one of those crazy bounces determines the outcome.
Geaux Tigers!
