SWC75
Bored Historian
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In 1959, LSU's Billy Cannon made this famous 89 yard punt return to beat Mississippi in a battle between what was then the #1 and #3 teams in the country:
Misssisisippi was the Alabama of that time, going 105-16-7 from 1952-1963. Their confrontation was typical of confrontations between top teams in that era: dominated by defense with a lot of punts and jockeying for field positon, waiting for the big play. Cannon gave it to the Tigers, who were later upset on a goal line stand by Tennessee, 13-14. Those two games paved the way for the Syracuse Orangemen to obtain the #1 ranking that year. The teams were rematched in the Sugar Bowl.
Mississippi totally dominated the Sugar Bowl holding LSU to 74 yards and 6 first downs. They threw LSU running backs, including Cannon, backwards for -15 yards rushing. while gaining 363 yards and 19 first downs of their own. The final score? Mississippi 21 LSU 0.
This year LSU beat Alabama 9-6 in an overtime battle of field goals. Alabama got the rematch in the stadium where the Sugar Bowl is played. The Tide held LSU to 92 yards and 5 first downs while gaining 384 yards and 21 first downs of their own of their own. The final score? Alabama 21 LSU 0.
It must have seemed awfully familiar to Billy Cannon.
Misssisisippi was the Alabama of that time, going 105-16-7 from 1952-1963. Their confrontation was typical of confrontations between top teams in that era: dominated by defense with a lot of punts and jockeying for field positon, waiting for the big play. Cannon gave it to the Tigers, who were later upset on a goal line stand by Tennessee, 13-14. Those two games paved the way for the Syracuse Orangemen to obtain the #1 ranking that year. The teams were rematched in the Sugar Bowl.
Mississippi totally dominated the Sugar Bowl holding LSU to 74 yards and 6 first downs. They threw LSU running backs, including Cannon, backwards for -15 yards rushing. while gaining 363 yards and 19 first downs of their own. The final score? Mississippi 21 LSU 0.
This year LSU beat Alabama 9-6 in an overtime battle of field goals. Alabama got the rematch in the stadium where the Sugar Bowl is played. The Tide held LSU to 92 yards and 5 first downs while gaining 384 yards and 21 first downs of their own of their own. The final score? Alabama 21 LSU 0.
It must have seemed awfully familiar to Billy Cannon.
