The 1980 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University (LSU) as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season . Led by first-year head coach Jerry Stovall , the Tigers compiled an overall record of 7–4, with a mark of 4–2 in conference play, and finished tied for fourth in the SEC.[ 1]
Bo Rein was hired November 30, 1979 after four seasons at North Carolina State as the successor to Charles McClendon , who compiled a 137–59–7 record in 18 seasons. Rein's tenure was cut short after only 42 days when he died in a plane crash January 10, 1980. Jerry Stovall , a former LSU All-American and nine-year National Football League veteran with the St. Louis Cardinals , was approved as Rein's successor approximately 36 hours after the plane crash.
LSU was tied for first place in the Southeastern Conference following a Nov. 1 victory over Ole Miss , but subsequent one-sided road losses to Alabama and Mississippi State led bowls to snub the Tigers. LSU ended on a high note by drubbing bowl-bound Tulane.
As of 2021 , this is the last LSU team to finish with a winning record and not be invited to a bowl.
Date Opponent Site Result Attendance Source September 6 No. 13 Florida State * L 0–1677,535 [ 2] September 13 Kansas State * Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA W 21–075,405 [ 3] September 20 Colorado * Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA W 23–2074,999 [ 4] September 27 at Rice * L 7–1741,000 [ 5] October 4 at No. 19 Florida W 24–759,299 [ 6] October 11 Auburn Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA (rivalry ) W 21–1776,094 [ 7] October 18 at Kentucky W 17–1057,800 [ 8] November 1 Ole Miss Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA (rivalry ) W 38–1671,422 [ 9] November 8 at No. 6 Alabama L 7–2860,210 [ 10] November 15 at No. 19 Mississippi State L 31–5548,863 [ 11] November 22 Tulane * W 24–769,248 [ 12] *Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
[ 13]
1980 LSU Tigers football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Defense
Special teams
Pos.
#
Name
Class
K
5
David Johnston Jr
Head coach Coordinators/assistant coaches George Belu – Offensive coordinator/offensive line
Bob Gatling – Quarterbacks
Darrel Moody – Running backs
Stephen Regan – Wide receivers
Otis Washington – Offensive line Greg Williams – Defensive coordinator/defensive backs
Pete Jenkins – Defensive line Bishop Harris – Outside linebackers Bobby Morrison – Inside linebackers Legend (C) Team captain(S) Suspended(I) Ineligible Roster
^ "1980 LSU Fighting Tigers Schedule and Results" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 31, 2023 .^ "Seminole defense whitewashes LSU" . The Opelika-Auburn News . September 7, 1980. Retrieved October 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Louisiana State stymies Kansas State 21–0" . The Kansas City Star . September 14, 1980. Retrieved October 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Johnston field goal lifts Tigers by Buffaloes" . The Daily Advertiser . September 21, 1980. Retrieved October 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Rice upsets LSU, 17–7" . The Odessa American . September 28, 1980. Retrieved October 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .^ "LSU feasts on Gator gumbo" . Daily World . October 5, 1980. Retrieved October 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Soph fires LSU by Auburn, 21–17" . The Knoxville News-Sentinel . October 12, 1980. Retrieved October 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Tigers overcome bobbles, bumbles as Cats crumble" . Sunday Herald-Leader . October 19, 1980. Retrieved October 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .^ "LSU, fans get pokes at Rebs" . The Commercial Appeal . November 2, 1980. Retrieved October 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .^ " . The Shreveport Times . November 9, 1980. Retrieved October 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Third quarter explosion blows Maroons by LSU" . The Crowley Post-Signal . November 16, 1980. Retrieved October 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .^ "LSU rides Wave to 24–7 victory" . Daily World . November 23, 1980. Retrieved October 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .^ "1980 Season" . tigerdroppings.com . Retrieved September 30, 2022 .
