LSU Football: ranking the top 5 bowl games of all-time

#5 1995 Independence Bowl

Following the 1994 season, the LSU Football program decided to hire a coach with a 19-25 record in Gerry DiNardo to revitalize the program. Although LSU had a 6 year winning drought themselves, they were desperate to change their fortunes. And although his record was not sterling at Vanderbilt, he had won a National Title as the Offensive Coordinator at Colorado in 1990.

Many fans may not recall that LSU was NOT the mighty power that it is thought to be by today’s standard during this time period. Gerry DiNardo was one of the main catalysts in changing that narrative. En route to that, DiNardo chose to use primarily Louisiana talent to spearhead that change. At the spear’s tip – two freshman from SE Louisiana in QB Herb Tyler and RB Kevin Faulk.

With Tyler getting the starting nod late in the season due to a Jamie Howard injury, and Faulk having to split time with Kendall Cleveland, LSU managed to finish the season 6-4-1. It was the Tigers first winning season since 1989, and DiNardo’s first as a head coach.

Offensively, LSU had two stand-out players in this particular contest.  Eddie Kennison, who returned a kickoff back for a touchdown, to go along with his 5 catches for 124 yards and another touchdown.  He was only out done by the Independence Bowl co-MVP, Kevin Faulk.  Faulk led the Tigers with 25 carries for 234 yards, over 270 yards of total yards from scrimmage, and a touchdown.

Defensively, LSU was led by their other Independence Bowl co-MVP – Gabe Northern – who also scored a touchdown on a 37 yard fumble recovery. The 45-26 victory signified that the Tigers were back to their former glory. And as irony would have it, Coach DiNardo beat his future successor in this game.  Once DiNardo’s reign came to an end in 1999, LSU would hire Coach Nick Saban to carry LSU over the hump.