With the mixed sounds of cowbells and chants og “Go Tigers” filling the atmosphere at Davis Wade Stadium, the LSU Tigers opened the game Saturday by kicking off to the Mississippi State. State electrified the crowd and stunned the Tigers with a touchdown on their opening possession. Bulldog fans went crazy, and the cowbells were deafening.
“I was thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, here’s our once-a-year upset!’ I was thinking of the Florida game last year, and I couldn’t think of anything else but an upset,” said John Windham, a sophomore public relations major at MSU.
That lone touchdown would be all that Windham and the rest of the Bulldog fans would have to cheer for during the remainder of the game.
LSU went on to score two touchdowns and a field goal to close out the first half with a score of 17-7.
“[At halftime,] I was thinking that we needed a new offense,” said Josh Whites, a junior business major, “Or at least a new offensive plan against such a good defense. I thought we needed to try out pocket passing rather than making Conner roll out every time. I didn’t think we were going to come back, but there’s always hope, and I never leave a ballgame early.”
So, Whites stayed, along with the many other MSU hopefuls, and watched as the second half of play began. MSU’s lack of offensive productivity and defensive lapses led to more LSU scoring, as hard rain began to fall on the fans in Starkville. The third quarter ended with LSU ahead, 37-7. Bulldog fans began to file out of the stadium, not expecting much of a miracle finish amidst the gloom of the day.
“I left [the game in the third quarter] because I was soaking wet,” explains Krystina Cirilli, a freshman art major, “And I was sick of listening to annoying LSU fans who decided to sit in our student section.”
With LSU fans out-screaming the MSU faithful at the start of the fourth quarter, all hope seemed lost for the Bulldogs. The fourth quarter ended with no score from either team, and the Tigers won the game 37-7.
“After the game, I remembered how much I hated LSU fans because of their arrogance,” Whites said. “But each year we get better, and I take joy in knowing that the day will come, when, at the end of the game, LSU fans will hear thousands of cowbells ringing in their ears. I’m so ready for that.”
The Tigers ventured over to their fan section and held a post-game celebration, while MSU fans left with their heads down, disappointed at yet another Bulldog shortcoming.
“It’s frustrating,” said Windham, who was one of the very last spectators to leave the stadium Saturday. “But I know that coach Croom is building a dynasty, so I’m willing to wait for the team to get better.”