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re: Question for older Tiger fans: When did freshmen start playing for LSU?
Posted on 2/16/12 at 2:45 pm to 81Tiger
Posted on 2/16/12 at 2:45 pm to 81Tiger
The first freshman to play football for LSU actually did so in 1942. Upper classmen left to fight in WWII, and the freshmen were needed for the squad. That's how Joe Nagata got to play as a freshman running back in the fall of '42. Now, it may have reverted after wartime, but for football it did happen in '42 for at least one season.
2
Posted on 2/16/12 at 2:47 pm to GarmischTiger
This I can tell you - The Greatest tailbacks I ever witnessed in Tiger Stadium was in 1982. The tailbacks were Dalton Hilliard & Gary James. It's hard to say who was better, because both were Real Good and both were freshman. That night, each back rushed for over 150 yards.
I believe the JV was dissolved in the middle to late 1970's.
I believe the JV was dissolved in the middle to late 1970's.
Posted on 2/16/12 at 3:43 pm to Michael T. Tiger
quote:Roger - was referring to end of NCAA rule sometime in the 70s - should've worded the question better.
Michael T. Tiger
Posted on 2/16/12 at 3:46 pm to jeff70121
quote:I was right there with you - had a Dalton-James gang T-shirt in either 83 or 84.
jeff70121
Looks like freshman team existed into the early 80s. I'm still curious exactly when they stopped playing.
Posted on 2/16/12 at 3:56 pm to Beltway Bengal
quote:
What you noted about people attending the jv game and then leaving is true, I believe.
Well more than half left after Maravich played. The varsity was pretty bad, I think we won like one game in 1965 the year before the maravich's came.
Posted on 2/16/12 at 4:01 pm to CarrolltonTiger
A.J. Duhe was the 1st freshman to play in 1973 when the rule to let freshman play was renewed. He played most of the games while he was still 17 yrs. old. He turned 18 late in the fall of 1973.
Also, Pete Maravich was a senior when Apple Sanders and Fig Newton were sophomores.
Also, Pete Maravich was a senior when Apple Sanders and Fig Newton were sophomores.
Posted on 2/16/12 at 4:10 pm to CarrolltonTiger
quote:
Well more than half left after Maravich played. The varsity was pretty bad
At least half. I stayed because I felt sorry for the varsity squad.
At the freshman fb games I would rate the LSU frosh with stars(seriously). I would take my ratings back home to share with my dad. A 1 star would contribute before graduating, a 2 star would be a starter by jr year, a 3 star would be a soph starter and possible all SEC, a 4 star would be an All American. I remember giving the following players a 4 star: Bert Jones, Mike Anderson, George Bevan, and Ronnie Estay. I think I missed my calling.
Posted on 2/16/12 at 4:19 pm to Good Times
For those that went to the games - was it four 15-minute quarters or something syncopated (for football)? What are we talking about - 20 or 30 players per side?
Did walk-ons fill out the roster? Were there five freshman basketball players in 1969 (or any other year)?
Did walk-ons fill out the roster? Were there five freshman basketball players in 1969 (or any other year)?
Posted on 2/16/12 at 4:28 pm to GarmischTiger
quote:
Were there five freshman basketball players in 1969 (or any other year)?
Can't answer the other questions, sorry, but the freshmen had more than 5 players so I would guess they were walk ons. When Pete was a frosh, the starting five were scholarship players. I recall a few names, Tribbet, Hickman, and Lamont.
Posted on 2/16/12 at 4:43 pm to GarmischTiger
I skipped a few Friday afternoon classes to watch LSU freshmen play in 1972.
I think Freshmen were eligible to play varsity football begining in 1973. But, it could have been 1972.
The games were played in Tiger stadium on Friday afternoon.
I think Freshmen were eligible to play varsity football begining in 1973. But, it could have been 1972.
The games were played in Tiger stadium on Friday afternoon.
This post was edited on 2/16/12 at 4:50 pm
Posted on 2/16/12 at 5:15 pm to GarmischTiger
quote:From what I remember, the games were standard 15 minute quarters. It couldn't have been syncopated because I don't know what that means.
was it four 15-minute quarters or something syncopated
Also, I think there were a lot more than 30 players per side, perhaps because there was no 85 scholarship limit at the time.
Posted on 2/16/12 at 5:39 pm to GarmischTiger
The first freshman I remember getting significant playing time was Dalton Hilliard, but there may have been others before him. I guess Dalton just stands out in my mind because of his performance against Florida as a freshman in '82.
This post was edited on 2/16/12 at 5:42 pm
Posted on 2/16/12 at 5:40 pm to tigernchicago
quote:
The games were played in Tiger stadium on Friday afternoon.
I remember them playing on that funky Astoturf in Bernie Moore Stadium.
Posted on 2/16/12 at 6:06 pm to Michael T. Tiger
Thanks Beltway Tiger, I can't be exact on which year it was that Apple and Pistol Pete played together, but, I do remember the freshman team playing first with Pistol, then the varsity. I remember it being dark and not too big. It was before Dale Brown, Maravich's dad was coach.
Posted on 2/16/12 at 6:40 pm to TupeloTiger
Pete Maravich played as a senior in 1970. Tribet,Hickman,and Hester were also seniors. Fig Newton and Apple Sanders were sophomores. They went 13 and 5 in the SEC. They lost to Marquette in the semifinals of the NIT.
Posted on 2/16/12 at 6:41 pm to Tchefuncte Tiger
quote:
I remember them playing on that funky Astoturf in Bernie Moore Stadium
This is where I remember them playing most of the time. I know they did play sometime in Tiger Stadium, but most games at BMS.
The freshmen footballers always played only 4 games per year. All conference games. They were seldom beaten.
As far as the basketball freshmen. Not many paid much attention to basketball in the days preceding Pistol Pete. When Pete was a freshman, people filled the Parker Center to watch him. His freshman year was 1967. The varsity was 3-23 that year. The freshmen were 17-1. Only loss was to Tennessee. Throughout Pete's time at LSU he never had much success vs. the Vols. Thats why people left after the freshmen games. The varsity sucked. This was the first year that Pete's father Press was coach. Press was the first full time basketball coach at LSU. Before that Jay McQuarry (sp) was coach, but shared his coaching time like all previous basketball coaches with one of the lesser sports. I want to say track but I'm not sure. Apple Sanders was a Sr. at Baton Rouge High when I was a senior. This was 1969. I watched him manhandle many kids back then. I remember watching the BRHS basketball teams and thinking they looked like 30 yr. old men. They had a player Tim Samaha. I think the kid shaved twice a day. This is what I remember.
This post was edited on 2/16/12 at 7:21 pm
Posted on 2/16/12 at 7:01 pm to vjp819
Again - were these true freshman teams, or were walk-ons included?
It doesn't seem like there would be enough players to field a team capable of playing a regulation game.
When were scholarship limits imposed?
It doesn't seem like there would be enough players to field a team capable of playing a regulation game.
When were scholarship limits imposed?
Posted on 2/16/12 at 7:01 pm to GarmischTiger
According to the NCAA, freshmen were eligible in 1972
Posted on 2/16/12 at 7:15 pm to GarmischTiger
I believe back then most football teams were allowed to carry 120 players on the roster. There wasn't the 85 limit that there is today.
I'm sure you are talking about basketball. I don't have an answere for you, but I'm sure walkons were probably part of the team.
I'm sure you are talking about basketball. I don't have an answere for you, but I'm sure walkons were probably part of the team.
This post was edited on 2/16/12 at 7:17 pm
Posted on 2/16/12 at 7:23 pm to WindboyCajun
not sure about all sports but here is the answer to the questions in reguards to football
The team was rebuilt with Jack Lengyel as the new head coach. The leaders of the "Young Thundering Herd" (to which the team officially changed its name for the 1971 season) were the few players who didn't make the trip due to injury or disciplinary action. There were 15 sophomores on the team from the previous year's freshman team, and the bulk of the team was composed of freshmen players who were allowed to play on the varsity squad due to the National Collegiate Athletic Association, college football's governing body, waiving a rule prohibiting it. Three years later, it would waive the rule for all schools. Rounding out the squad were players from other Marshall sports programs. They would win only two games that year. Their first win was an emotional 15–13 victory against Xavier University in the home opener. Their second win, in their homecoming game, was against a better, ranked team: the Bowling Green State
The team was rebuilt with Jack Lengyel as the new head coach. The leaders of the "Young Thundering Herd" (to which the team officially changed its name for the 1971 season) were the few players who didn't make the trip due to injury or disciplinary action. There were 15 sophomores on the team from the previous year's freshman team, and the bulk of the team was composed of freshmen players who were allowed to play on the varsity squad due to the National Collegiate Athletic Association, college football's governing body, waiving a rule prohibiting it. Three years later, it would waive the rule for all schools. Rounding out the squad were players from other Marshall sports programs. They would win only two games that year. Their first win was an emotional 15–13 victory against Xavier University in the home opener. Their second win, in their homecoming game, was against a better, ranked team: the Bowling Green State
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