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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT COLOR="#000040">Today In Jordan-Hare</H1></FONT>
<H2 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT COLOR="#FF8000"><I>Auburn vs. LSU</I></FONT></H2>
<H3 ALIGN=CENTER>by Meredith Jenkins</H3>

<TABLE WIDTH=162 ALIGN=LEFT>
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<IMG SRC="/pic/williams01.jpg" WIDTH=144 HEIGHT=186 ALT="Rusty Williams" BORDER=1 ALIGN=LEFT HSPACE=5>
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<FONT SIZE=2><B> Rusty Williams scored on a one-yard plunge with 30 seconds left to help Auburn upset 10th-ranked LSU 31-28 last season.
<HR>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P><FONT SIZE=6><B>G</B></FONT>reat comebacks, abnormal occurrences, oppressive defensive stands, nail-biting wins, even a natural disaster has helped make the Auburn-LSU series one of the best, yet maybe the oddest rivalries in the South. In the recent annuals of other rivalries, who else can brag of a seismograph reading, a burnt barn and three fourth quarter interception returns for touchdowns?
<P>
The Auburn-LSU rivalry has had all of this and more. Only a circus side-show could attract the same kind of freak events that have become common-place when these two teams meet on the gridiron.
<P>
The games played between the two teams have made lasting impressions in Auburn's history as they have been tagged with nicknames and catch phrases. Along with "Punt Bama Punt," "Bo Over the Top" and "Nix to Sanders," the Auburn-LSU series adds "The Earthquake Game," "The Interception Game" and "The Night the Barn Burned."
<P>
The oddball occurrences have overshadowed some great football games. Seven of the last eight games have been decided by a touchdown or less. In the last four games alone, only a sparse average of 4.3 points has been the difference between winning and losing.
<P>
With so many gut-wrenching, nervous, anxious moments in the series, it was no surprise that last season's game went down to the wire. With LSU leading 28-24 with just over three minutes to play, Dameyune Craig engineered a 80-yard, 10-play drive to deliver a 31-28 upset of 10th-ranked LSU. Rusty Williams capped the drive on a one-yard touchdown plunge with 30 seconds remaining. Game over, right?
<P>
But in this series, when anything can happen, Auburn fans didn't start celebrating until LSU's 65-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Quinton Reese. As the two teams have learned, the atypical is more often the typical in the rivalry.
<P>
Which brings us back to some of those freaky happenings. In particular, the 1988, 1994 and 1996 games alone have been recounted so many times that each game holds a special place in each school's folklore.
<P>
In 1988, LSU scored with 1:41 remaining to down fourth-ranked Auburn, 7-6. The noise from the Tiger stadium crowd registered on a campus seismograph, thus earning the contest the title of "Earthquake Game."
<P>
Auburn returned three of their five fourth-quarter interceptions for touchdowns to rally from a two touchdown deficit and win 30-26 in 1994. Auburn and LSU fans alike still recall the "Interception Game."
<P>
Two seasons later the Auburn-LSU game made history with "The Night the Barn Burned." As the old Auburn Sports Arena burned behind Jordan-Hare Stadium, LSU defeated Auburn 19-15. The flames, which were as high as the upper deck, made the stadium look like a surreal, modern-day image from Dante's Inferno. After missing three field goals and an extra point, Auburn cut LSU's lead to 17-15 with 38 seconds remaining, but Jon Cooley's two-point pass attempt was picked off by Raion Hill, who returned it the other way for two points.
<P>
So what will happen in today's game? If history is any indication, anything is possible.
<P>
For More Information on the Rivalry, Please see page 33.
<P>

<H4>Auburn-LSU Connections</H4>

<TABLE ALIGN=RIGHT WIDTH=210 BORDER=0>
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<TD>
<IMG SRC="/pic/edmondson.jpg" ALT="Larry Edmondson" BORDER=1>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD>
<FONT SIZE=2><B> Auburn wide receivers coach Larry Edmondson also coached wide receivers at LSU from 1991-1994.
<HR>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

If the Auburn coaching staff is wondering what is going on in the psyche of the LSU staff, they may be able to get a clue from a few of their own members. Three of Auburn's coaches, Pete Jenkins, Larry Edmondson and Tyke Tolbert have ties to LSU. The trio has a combined 19 years of experience with the Bengal Tiger program.
<P>
Jenkins spent 11 seasons at LSU (1980-90), where he served stints as the Bayou Bengals' defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. LSU won a pair of SEC titles (1986 and 1988) while Jenkins was in Baton Rouge.
Auburn wide receiver coach Larry Edmondson worked at LSU for four seasons (1991-94) as the Tigers' receiver coach and Tolbert, who coaches the Auburn tight ends, played wide receiver at LSU from 1988-90.
<P>
<H4>Unfamiliar Territory</H4>
<P>
This season marks only the second time in the history of the series that Auburn comes into the game unranked and will face a ranked LSU team. The only other time unranked Auburn played the ranked Bengal Tigers was 1936 when #7 LSU beat Auburn 19-6.
<!--
Rusty Williams scored on a one-yard plunge into the end zone with 30 seconds left to help Auburn upset 10th-ranked LSU 31-28 last season.

Auburn wide receivers coach Larry Edmondson also coached wide receivers at LSU from 1991-1994.
-->
<P>
<TABLE WIDTH=100% BORDER=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCCCC">
<TR>
<TH>AUBURN</TH>
<TH>LSU</TH>
</TR>
<TR>
<TD WIDTH=50% VALIGN=TOP>

(1-1, 1-0 SEC)
<P>
Sept. 3	VIRGINIA	0-19	L
<BR>Sept. 12	at Ole Miss	17-0	W
<BR>Sept. 19	LSU
<BR>Oct. 3	TENNESSEE
<BR>Oct. 10	at Mississippi State
<BR>Oct. 17	at Florida
<BR>Oct. 24	LOUISIANA TECH
<BR>Oct. 31	ARKANSAS
<BR>Nov. 7	CENTRAL FLORIDA
<BR>Nov. 14	GEORGIA
<BR>Nov. 21	at Alabama
<P>Head Coach: Terry Bowden
<!--
(West Virginia, 1978)
-->
<BR>--AU Record: 47-13-1 (6th season)
<BR>--Career Record: 111-48-2 (15th season)
<P>Auburn Stat Leaders
<BR>Rushing	Att.	Yds.	Avg. 	TD
<BR>Michael Burks	29	77	2.7	0
<BR>Heath Evans	-9	31	3.4	1
<BR>Demontray Carter	-9	18	2.0	0
<BR>Passing	Att.	Comp.	Yds.	TD
<BR>Ben Leard	52	27	341	1
<BR>Receiving	No. 	Yds.	Avg.	TD
<BR>arsten Bailey	7	-94	13.4	1
<BR>Clifton Robinson	6	102	17.0	0
<BR>Heath Evans	5	-74	14.8	0
<BR>Punting	No.	Yds.	Avg.	Lg.
<BR>Jeremy Zills	15	567	37.8	48
<BR>Tackles	Total	Solo	Asst.	Sacks
<BR>Brad Ware	15	11	4	0
<BR>Larry Casher	14	12	2	0
<BR>Rob Pate	13	-9	4	0
</TD>

<TD WIDTH=50% VALIGN=TOP>
(1-0, 0-0 SEC)
<P>
Sept. 12	ARKANSAS STATE	42-6	W
<BR>Sept. 19	at Auburn
<BR>Sept. 26	IDAHO
<BR>Oct. 3	GEORGIA
<BR>Oct. 10	at Florida
<BR>Oct. 17	KENTUCKY
<BR>Oct. 24	MISSISSIPPI STATE
<BR>Oct. 31	at Ole Miss
<BR>Nov. 7	ALABAMA
<BR>Nov. 21	at Notre Dame
<BR>Nov. 27	ARKANSAS
<P>Head Coach: Gerry Dinardo
<!--
(Notre Dame, 1975)
-->
<BR>--LSU Record: 27-9-1 (4th season)
<BR>--Career Record: 46-34-1 (8th season)
<P>LSU Stat Leaders
<BR>Rushing	Att.	Yds.	Avg. 	TD
<BR>Kevin Faulk	17	180	10.6	2
<BR>Rondell Mealey	-7	-61	-8.7	1
<BR>LaVar Johnson	-3	-19	-6.3	0
<BR>Passing	Att.	Comp.	Yds.	TD
<BR>Herb Tyler	25	13	170	1
<BR>Craig Nall	-4	-2	-18	0
<BR>Receiving	No. 	Yds.	Avg.	TD
<BR>Abram Booty	7	116	16.6	1
<BR>Larry Foster	3	-31	10.3	0
<BR>Reggie Robinson	2	-17	-8.5	0
<BR>Punting	No.	Yds.	Avg.	Lg.
<BR>Jeremy Witten	2	-81	40.5	41
<BR>Corey Gibbs	3	114	38.0	43
<BR>Tackles	Total	Solo	Asst.	Sacks
<BR>Anthony McFarland	10	6	4	1.5
<BR>Clarence LeBlanc	-7	5	2	1.0
<BR>Jarvis Green	-6	3	3	2.0
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P ALIGN=CENTER><A HREF="./" target="_top">TABLE OF CONTENTS</A> | <A HREF="../" target="_top">PROGRAM INDEX</A> | <A HREF="../../index.html" target="_top">HOME</A></P>

<P ALIGN=CENTER><I>&copy; 1999 Auburn Network, Inc.</I></P>


</BODY>
</HTML>
	<HTML>

	<HEAD>

	<TITLE>Today in Jordan-Hare</TITLE>

	</HEAD>

	<BODY <body bgcolor="#FFFFFF">>

	<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT COLOR="#000040">Today In Jordan-Hare</H1></FONT>
	<H2 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT COLOR="#FF8000"><I>Auburn vs. LSU</I></FONT></H2>
	<H3 ALIGN=CENTER>by Meredith Jenkins</H3>

	<TABLE WIDTH=162 ALIGN=LEFT>
	<TR>
	<TD>
	<IMG SRC="/pic/williams01.jpg" WIDTH=144 HEIGHT=186 ALT="Rusty Williams" BORDER=1 ALIGN=LEFT HSPACE=5>
	</TD>
	</TR>
	<TR>
	<TD>
	<FONT SIZE=2><B> Rusty Williams scored on a one-yard plunge with 30 seconds left to help Auburn upset 10th-ranked LSU 31-28 last season.
	<HR>
	</TD>
	</TR>
	</TABLE>

	<P><FONT SIZE=6><B>G</B></FONT>reat comebacks, abnormal occurrences, oppressive defensive stands, nail-biting wins, even a natural disaster has helped make the Auburn-LSU series one of the best, yet maybe the oddest rivalries in the South. In the recent annuals of other rivalries, who else can brag of a seismograph reading, a burnt barn and three fourth quarter interception returns for touchdowns?
	<P>
	The Auburn-LSU rivalry has had all of this and more. Only a circus side-show could attract the same kind of freak events that have become common-place when these two teams meet on the gridiron.
	<P>
	The games played between the two teams have made lasting impressions in Auburn's history as they have been tagged with nicknames and catch phrases. Along with "Punt Bama Punt," "Bo Over the Top" and "Nix to Sanders," the Auburn-LSU series adds "The Earthquake Game," "The Interception Game" and "The Night the Barn Burned."
	<P>
	The oddball occurrences have overshadowed some great football games. Seven of the last eight games have been decided by a touchdown or less. In the last four games alone, only a sparse average of 4.3 points has been the difference between winning and losing.
	<P>
	With so many gut-wrenching, nervous, anxious moments in the series, it was no surprise that last season's game went down to the wire. With LSU leading 28-24 with just over three minutes to play, Dameyune Craig engineered a 80-yard, 10-play drive to deliver a 31-28 upset of 10th-ranked LSU. Rusty Williams capped the drive on a one-yard touchdown plunge with 30 seconds remaining. Game over, right?
	<P>
	But in this series, when anything can happen, Auburn fans didn't start celebrating until LSU's 65-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Quinton Reese. As the two teams have learned, the atypical is more often the typical in the rivalry.
	<P>
	Which brings us back to some of those freaky happenings. In particular, the 1988, 1994 and 1996 games alone have been recounted so many times that each game holds a special place in each school's folklore.
	<P>
	In 1988, LSU scored with 1:41 remaining to down fourth-ranked Auburn, 7-6. The noise from the Tiger stadium crowd registered on a campus seismograph, thus earning the contest the title of "Earthquake Game."
	<P>
	Auburn returned three of their five fourth-quarter interceptions for touchdowns to rally from a two touchdown deficit and win 30-26 in 1994. Auburn and LSU fans alike still recall the "Interception Game."
	<P>
	Two seasons later the Auburn-LSU game made history with "The Night the Barn Burned." As the old Auburn Sports Arena burned behind Jordan-Hare Stadium, LSU defeated Auburn 19-15. The flames, which were as high as the upper deck, made the stadium look like a surreal, modern-day image from Dante's Inferno. After missing three field goals and an extra point, Auburn cut LSU's lead to 17-15 with 38 seconds remaining, but Jon Cooley's two-point pass attempt was picked off by Raion Hill, who returned it the other way for two points.
	<P>
	So what will happen in today's game? If history is any indication, anything is possible.
	<P>
	For More Information on the Rivalry, Please see page 33.
	<P>

	<H4>Auburn-LSU Connections</H4>

	<TABLE ALIGN=RIGHT WIDTH=210 BORDER=0>
	<TR>
	<TD>
	<IMG SRC="/pic/edmondson.jpg" ALT="Larry Edmondson" BORDER=1>
	</TD>
	</TR>
	<TR>
	<TD>
	<FONT SIZE=2><B> Auburn wide receivers coach Larry Edmondson also coached wide receivers at LSU from 1991-1994.
	<HR>
	</TD>
	</TR>
	</TABLE>

	If the Auburn coaching staff is wondering what is going on in the psyche of the LSU staff, they may be able to get a clue from a few of their own members. Three of Auburn's coaches, Pete Jenkins, Larry Edmondson and Tyke Tolbert have ties to LSU. The trio has a combined 19 years of experience with the Bengal Tiger program.
	<P>
	Jenkins spent 11 seasons at LSU (1980-90), where he served stints as the Bayou Bengals' defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. LSU won a pair of SEC titles (1986 and 1988) while Jenkins was in Baton Rouge.
	Auburn wide receiver coach Larry Edmondson worked at LSU for four seasons (1991-94) as the Tigers' receiver coach and Tolbert, who coaches the Auburn tight ends, played wide receiver at LSU from 1988-90.
	<P>
	<H4>Unfamiliar Territory</H4>
	<P>
	This season marks only the second time in the history of the series that Auburn comes into the game unranked and will face a ranked LSU team. The only other time unranked Auburn played the ranked Bengal Tigers was 1936 when #7 LSU beat Auburn 19-6.
	<!--
	Rusty Williams scored on a one-yard plunge into the end zone with 30 seconds left to help Auburn upset 10th-ranked LSU 31-28 last season.

	Auburn wide receivers coach Larry Edmondson also coached wide receivers at LSU from 1991-1994.
	-->
	<P>
	<TABLE WIDTH=100% BORDER=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCCCC">
	<TR>
	<TH>AUBURN</TH>
	<TH>LSU</TH>
	</TR>
	<TR>
	<TD WIDTH=50% VALIGN=TOP>

	(1-1, 1-0 SEC)
	<P>
	Sept. 3 VIRGINIA 0-19 L
	<BR>Sept. 12 at Ole Miss 17-0 W
	<BR>Sept. 19 LSU
	<BR>Oct. 3 TENNESSEE
	<BR>Oct. 10 at Mississippi State
	<BR>Oct. 17 at Florida
	<BR>Oct. 24 LOUISIANA TECH
	<BR>Oct. 31 ARKANSAS
	<BR>Nov. 7 CENTRAL FLORIDA
	<BR>Nov. 14 GEORGIA
	<BR>Nov. 21 at Alabama
	<P>Head Coach: Terry Bowden
	<!--
	(West Virginia, 1978)
	-->
	<BR>--AU Record: 47-13-1 (6th season)
	<BR>--Career Record: 111-48-2 (15th season)
	<P>Auburn Stat Leaders
	<BR>Rushing Att. Yds. Avg. TD
	<BR>Michael Burks 29 77 2.7 0
	<BR>Heath Evans -9 31 3.4 1
	<BR>Demontray Carter -9 18 2.0 0
	<BR>Passing Att. Comp. Yds. TD
	<BR>Ben Leard 52 27 341 1
	<BR>Receiving No. Yds. Avg. TD
	<BR>arsten Bailey 7 -94 13.4 1
	<BR>Clifton Robinson 6 102 17.0 0
	<BR>Heath Evans 5 -74 14.8 0
	<BR>Punting No. Yds. Avg. Lg.
	<BR>Jeremy Zills 15 567 37.8 48
	<BR>Tackles Total Solo Asst. Sacks
	<BR>Brad Ware 15 11 4 0
	<BR>Larry Casher 14 12 2 0
	<BR>Rob Pate 13 -9 4 0
	</TD>

	<TD WIDTH=50% VALIGN=TOP>
	(1-0, 0-0 SEC)
	<P>
	Sept. 12 ARKANSAS STATE 42-6 W
	<BR>Sept. 19 at Auburn
	<BR>Sept. 26 IDAHO
	<BR>Oct. 3 GEORGIA
	<BR>Oct. 10 at Florida
	<BR>Oct. 17 KENTUCKY
	<BR>Oct. 24 MISSISSIPPI STATE
	<BR>Oct. 31 at Ole Miss
	<BR>Nov. 7 ALABAMA
	<BR>Nov. 21 at Notre Dame
	<BR>Nov. 27 ARKANSAS
	<P>Head Coach: Gerry Dinardo
	<!--
	(Notre Dame, 1975)
	-->
	<BR>--LSU Record: 27-9-1 (4th season)
	<BR>--Career Record: 46-34-1 (8th season)
	<P>LSU Stat Leaders
	<BR>Rushing Att. Yds. Avg. TD
	<BR>Kevin Faulk 17 180 10.6 2
	<BR>Rondell Mealey -7 -61 -8.7 1
	<BR>LaVar Johnson -3 -19 -6.3 0
	<BR>Passing Att. Comp. Yds. TD
	<BR>Herb Tyler 25 13 170 1
	<BR>Craig Nall -4 -2 -18 0
	<BR>Receiving No. Yds. Avg. TD
	<BR>Abram Booty 7 116 16.6 1
	<BR>Larry Foster 3 -31 10.3 0
	<BR>Reggie Robinson 2 -17 -8.5 0
	<BR>Punting No. Yds. Avg. Lg.
	<BR>Jeremy Witten 2 -81 40.5 41
	<BR>Corey Gibbs 3 114 38.0 43
	<BR>Tackles Total Solo Asst. Sacks
	<BR>Anthony McFarland 10 6 4 1.5
	<BR>Clarence LeBlanc -7 5 2 1.0
	<BR>Jarvis Green -6 3 3 2.0
	</TD>
	</TR>
	</TABLE>

	<P ALIGN=CENTER><A HREF="./" target="_top">TABLE OF CONTENTS</A> \| <A HREF="../" target="_top">PROGRAM INDEX</A> \| <A HREF="../../index.html" target="_top">HOME</A></P>

	<P ALIGN=CENTER><I>© 1999 Auburn Network, Inc.</I></P>


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