A Different Kind of Rivalry

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PremiumPhillip Marshall, Senior Editor

Auburn and LSU did not meet regularly until the Southeastern Conference split into divisions in 1992. But since then, the rivalry has become one of the more intense and unusual in the league.


Courtney Taylor catches pass that sinks LSU in 2004/Todd Van EmstIt started even earlier, with a 7-6 LSU victory in 1988 at Tiger Stadium that eventually cost Auburn a chance to play for the national championship. It’s been dubbed the “earthquake game” because the noise celebrating the winning touchdown registered on the campus seismograph.

From Jason Campbell’s touchdown pass to Courtney Taylor in Auburn’s 10-9 victory in 2004 to LSU’s winning touchdown pass with one second left in 2007 to the Sports Arena burning game was played in 1996, to Auburn returning three interceptions for touchdowns in the fourth quarter in 1996, the series has been filled with the unusual and the bizarre.

Twenty games of Auburn-LSU:

2009, Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge: LSU dominates on both sides of the ball, hands Auburn its third consecutive loss, 31-10.

2008, Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn: After Chris Todd gives Auburn a 21-20 lead on a 16-yard touchdown pass to Robert Dunn, LSU quarterback Jarrett Lee completes an 18-yard pass to Brandon LaFell with 1:03 left for the winning touchdown. Lee, who had an interception returned for a touchdown by Gabe McKenzie in the second quarter, returns to the game only after starting quarterback Andrew Hatch was knocked out.

2007, Tiger Stadium: In what would become typical Les Miles fashion, he almost blows the game in the final seconds, but LSU wins when quarterback Mike Flynn completes a 22-yard touchdown pass to Demetrius Byrd with a single second left on the clock and LSU wins 30-24.

2006, Jordan-Hare Stadium: Quarterback Brandon Cox scores the game’s only touchdown on a 1-yard sneak in the third quarter as Auburn wins 7-3 in one of the more brutal games ever played at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

2005, Tiger Stadium: In swirling wind, John Vaughn misses five field goal attempts, including one to win the game and one to force a second overtime. LSU wins 20-17.

2004, Jordan-Hare Stadium: Jason Campbell hits Courtney Taylor for 16 yards on fourth down and for 12 yards and the winning touchdown as Auburn wins 10-9 on its march to a perfect season.

2003, Tiger Stadium: LSU takes a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and matches Auburn’s 31-7 victory from the previous season.

2002, Jordan-Hare Stadium: Auburn abuses the nation’s No. 1 defense and romps to a 31-7 victory.

2001, Tiger Stadium: With the West Division title at stake, Auburn is penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct on the opening kickoff for jumping on the LSU emblem, kicker Damon Duval gets in a shoving match with a band member at halftime and LSU wins 27-14.

2000, Jordan-Hare Stadium: Tim Carter returns a kickoff 100 yards and Auburn beats Nick Saban’s first LSU team 34-17.

1999, Tiger Stadium:Tommy Tuberville’s first Auburn team crushes LSU 41-7. Players smoke cigars after the game, some of them on the field, infuriating LSU fans.

1998, Jordan-Hare Stadium: Ben Leard has a career-best day throwing the ball, but LSU wins 31-19 as what would be Terry Bowden’s final season comes unraveled.

1997, Tiger Stadium: Cecil “The Diesel” Collins runs wild, but Dameyune Craig leads a late 80-yard drive and Auburn wins 31-28.

1996, Jordan-Hare Stadium: As the iconic Sports Arena burns to the ground, flames leaping above the stands, LSU wins 20-16.

1995, Tiger Stadium: LSU gets a safety when quarterback Pat Nix stops playing after a whistle is blown in the stands and LSU stymies Auburn’s high-powered offense to win 12-6.

1994, Jordan-Hare Stadium: In one of the more remarkable games ever played at Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn intercepts five Jamie Howard passes in the fourth quarter, returning three for touchdowns, and wins 30-26 for its 14th consecutive victory.

1993, Tiger Stadium: Terry Bowden’s first Auburn team signals it will be force to be reckoned with, romping to a 34-10 victory.

1992, Jordan-Hare Stadium: Auburn blows a 27-7 lead, then wins 30-28 on a late field goal.

1989, Jordan-Hare Stadium: Greg Taylor’s fourth-quarter punt return sets up Auburn’s only touchdown in a 10-6 victory.

1988, Tiger Stadium: Auburn’s defense dominates the game until Tommy Hodson leads a late touchdown drive, hitting the game-winner to Eddie Fuller on fourth down, for a 7-6 LSU victory.