THE GAME in Tiger stadium Saturday returned the spark to this writers generation who were fortunate to witness and live the rivalry of LSU-Ole Miss during the late 50's and the decade of the 60's and 70's. Who can forget the legendry games they played and the chant, "Go to hell Ole Miss, Go to hell" and of course the Ole Miss fans would return the favor.
That rivalry has been absent far too many years and hopefully Saturday night's game will be the beginning and renewal for a newer generation that can witness and live the greatest feeling only a Tiger fan can understand. The game fit the mold of that past "Golden Era" when Ole Miss coach Johnny Vaught's team were the offensive powerhouse and LSU's Paul Dietzel and Charlie Mac's teams were the defensive powerhouse. Saturday's game was a struggle just like those past games were.
The 10-7 score even duplicated the score of a game LSU also won not too many years after Billy Cannon's famous run. It was LSU's defense that preserved a win in the last few minutes of the ball games in that Golden Era and also Saturday night.
The names of all the players and the coaches have changed but Tiger fans were vocal and once again the atmosphere was electric. LSU was ready to play and brought back a lot of good memories for this old timer. My grandson Jefferry was in the stands Saturday night in Tiger stadium and is an avid sports fan of LSU. I am happy that he was able to see and experience what I did long ago because you have to live it and be there to understand. He was also able to do something I was never able to do, "flood the field after the game was over." That had to be awesome.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
