Tiger Stadium is one of the most intimidating venues in college football. As former coach Ed Orgeron stated, “Death Valley is where opponents’ dreams come to die.” What is it about Saturday nights in Death Valley that strikes fear into the heart of opponents?
It’s the History
Since LSU started playing in Tiger Stadium in 1924, the Tigers have an overall record of 433-153-18. Since 2003, LSU is 117-20 when they play at home. (including perfect home records in ’04, ’06, ’10, ’11, ’13, and ’19). Think of the great names that have come through the program over the years, [autotag]Joe Burrow[/autotag], [autotag]Patrick Peterson[/autotag], [autotag]Tyrann Mathieu[/autotag], [autotag]Leonard Fournette[/autotag], [autotag]Justin Jefferson[/autotag], [autotag]Ja’Marr Chase[/autotag] — the list goes on and on. When you step foot into Tiger Stadium, you know that you are stepping onto hallowed ground.
It’s the Fans and the Band
It’s the 102,000+ people that pack out the stands no matter if the game kicks off at 11 a.m. or 7 p.m. Tiger fans are the best fans in college football. They show up early and tailgate for hours. They stay until the clock hits triple zeros in the fourth quarter and long after the game is over. If your team has a tough night in Baton Rouge, The Golden Band from Tigerland will let you know about it. Let the band play “Neck” as your team walks off the field with their heads hung low.
IT’S SATURDAY NIGHT IN DEATH VALLEY!
It is a pantheon of concrete and steel. It is a city that rises defiantly in the delta alongside the father of waters. It is the humidity of Autumn evenings that drapes stately oaks and broad magnolias. It is haunted and it is loud. It is Halloween night and cannon blasts. It is a Louisiana gumbo of humanity that cheers its Tigers to victory and destroys the dreams of invading foes. The chance of rain is…never. It is the cathedral of college football and worship happens here. When the sun finds its home in the western sky, it is a field of glory, for sure. But much more than that, it is a sacred place. And it is Saturday Night in DEATH VALLEY. – Dan Borne
There is no better place to be in the world on a Saturday night in the fall. When the sun sets in the western sky and the lights shine the brightest, something magical happens. Is it cajun voodoo? Is it black magic? No, it’s LSU football, and it’s here to stay.
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