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Remembering "Battle For The Rag" - LSU's long lost Rivalry game
Posted on 11/23/22 at 5:02 pm
Posted on 11/23/22 at 5:02 pm
I've always been a bit jealous of other SEC teams and the energy build up during Rivalry Week. LSU hasn't felt that in decades.
In honor of Rivalry week, I feel it is appropriate to reminisce an old lost SEC rivalry: BATTLE FOR THE RAG: LSU vs. Tulane
Since Tulane left the SEC in 1966 and their program fell apart, there has not been a competitive team that hates LSU more than anyone else.
Several attempts have been made to reestablish an arch rival for LSU, but all have failed. LSU's rivals seem to always hate someone else more:
Ole Miss hates Miss St more than LSU
Auburn and Alabama hate each other more than LSU
Florida hates Georgia and FSU more than LSU
The SEC attempted to manufacture a rivalry between LSU and Arkansas with "The Boot" trophy in the 90s, but recently Arkansas surrendered by moving the Mizzou game to Rivalry week. The only other annual opponent to have any sort of recent success against LSU is Mississippi State. With 3 wins against the Tigers since 2000. No other team not mentioned has that many wins against LSU in that timeframe.
For now, all we can do is remember the once bitter rivalry with Tulane.
LSU vs Tulane:
In 1893, Louisiana's first intercollegiate game of football was played between the LSU Tigers and Tulane Green Wave. Tulane won 34-0
Over the next half century, the Tigers and Green Wave played almost every year in what became one of college football's most heated rivalries. These days LSU is without an arch rival (so we just hate everyone), but in the early 20th century, the hatred in this rivalry game was on par with Alabama-Auburn and Ohio State-Michigan. However, in the 1950s, LSU dominated the series, and Tulane decided to reduce its focus and spending on athletics. The rivalry continued annually until the mid 1990s and returned briefly in the early 2000's, but Tulane won only 4 of the 32 games played since they left the SEC in 1966. LSU and Tulane last met on the field during the 2009 season.
"Tulane was always the big game. It was Tulane, and no matter what, you just had to beat Tulane." - Jim Fourmy (LSU QB in 1905)
Memorable Games:
1934 - Tulane defeats LSU for SEC title
It was a huge shock to Tiger fans when Tulane upset LSU 13-12 to capture the SEC championship, and their action was summed up by Peter Finney: “LSU fans we too shocked for any post-game free-for-all. Leaving the stands, one weeping woman summed up what must still stand as the most bitter defeat of the ancient series. ‘If it had been anyone but those SOBs,’ she said dejectedly."
1938: The Riot
The Tigers played rough football right from the beginning, and a late hit after an attempted pass by Tulane’s All-SEC halfback Warn “Bronco” Brunner suffered a broken ankle in the first quarter. From that point onward the game became rough and bitter and finally culminated in a fist fight on the field between the opposing teams and a huge battle between the fans after the game. It is for this fight, or rather riot, that the game is most widely known.
However, the game is extremely interesting from an historical perspective not only because of the riot, but for two other reasons.
(1) the shift in dominance from LSU to Tulane in the late 1930s,
(2) the famous brawl and the tradition of the “Rag” which emerged from it
(3) the emergence of Tulane halfback Bob “Jitterbug” Kellogg, one of the greatest backs to ever don the Olive and the Blue.
1940: The creation of "THE RAG"
After the riot in the previous matchup both schools joined together to create "The Rag", in an effort to promote good sportsmanship. Its name came from the LSU fight song Tiger Rag and was used as the trophy for the wining team each year. The original flag was lost in a fire at Tulane in 1982. the flag contain the logos for both LSU and Tulane along with the Louisiana State Seal.
1950: Tulane Students Steal Mike the Tiger
On the eve of the Tulane-LSU game in 1950, 3 Tulane students noticed a trailer with a long cage being towed by a car parked at a restaurant in New Orleans. Inside the cage was Mike, the living, breathing, roaring mascot for LSU. Mike’s custodian was was inside the restaurant and was assigned to transport Mike to the LSU-Tulane Game in New Orleans. The three students couldn’t resist. They unhitched the trailer and hooked it with a chain to their 1942 Plymouth. After a police officer became suspicious and stopped them, they convinced him they were escorting the 500-pound tiger to Tulane’s Stadium, site of the old Sugar Bowl. (At one point, the chain came loose and the trailer passed them on the road.)
The cat-nappers made a triumphant return to campus. They circled the trailer behind the barracks and a crowd gathered in the wee hours of the morning. Several students wanted to paint Mike green — Tulane’s mascot is the Green Wave — but the partners in crime had no intention of harming the animal. They were just having some fun. They had planned to hold the tiger captive until halftime of the game the next day, but the dean of students suggested Mike be taken to a safe location off campus. When the sun came up the next morning, there were local radio reports about Mike’s abduction. LSU officials issued a statement, pleading for the hostage-takers to refrain from feeding the tiger because Mike was on a special diet.
The police showed up and took the 3 students into custody. They were not charged, but later were banned from LSU’s campus. Since then, Mike no longer travels to away games. The 1950 game ended in a 14-14 tie. In the mid-1980s, pranksters cut the lock on his cage before another Tulane game, allowing Mike IV to run free on campus and demolish a few small pine trees. No one was injured.
2007: First game after Katrina
LSU and Tulane met in the superdome with LSU wearing special uniforms to honor the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
I've been told stories of many more classic games between LSU and Tulane. However, they were so long ago that there is little information regarding most of them. Many old timers have told me about the train that Tulane fans would ride to Baton Rouge. The train would stop right next to tiger stadium, where fans created a giant tailgate in the grass surrounding the tracks. The train would stay there until Tulane fans reboarded after the game. I wish there was a picture of this. Hopefully one day this rivalry will return.
In honor of Rivalry week, I feel it is appropriate to reminisce an old lost SEC rivalry: BATTLE FOR THE RAG: LSU vs. Tulane
Since Tulane left the SEC in 1966 and their program fell apart, there has not been a competitive team that hates LSU more than anyone else.
Several attempts have been made to reestablish an arch rival for LSU, but all have failed. LSU's rivals seem to always hate someone else more:
Ole Miss hates Miss St more than LSU
Auburn and Alabama hate each other more than LSU
Florida hates Georgia and FSU more than LSU
The SEC attempted to manufacture a rivalry between LSU and Arkansas with "The Boot" trophy in the 90s, but recently Arkansas surrendered by moving the Mizzou game to Rivalry week. The only other annual opponent to have any sort of recent success against LSU is Mississippi State. With 3 wins against the Tigers since 2000. No other team not mentioned has that many wins against LSU in that timeframe.
For now, all we can do is remember the once bitter rivalry with Tulane.
LSU vs Tulane:
In 1893, Louisiana's first intercollegiate game of football was played between the LSU Tigers and Tulane Green Wave. Tulane won 34-0
Over the next half century, the Tigers and Green Wave played almost every year in what became one of college football's most heated rivalries. These days LSU is without an arch rival (so we just hate everyone), but in the early 20th century, the hatred in this rivalry game was on par with Alabama-Auburn and Ohio State-Michigan. However, in the 1950s, LSU dominated the series, and Tulane decided to reduce its focus and spending on athletics. The rivalry continued annually until the mid 1990s and returned briefly in the early 2000's, but Tulane won only 4 of the 32 games played since they left the SEC in 1966. LSU and Tulane last met on the field during the 2009 season.
"Tulane was always the big game. It was Tulane, and no matter what, you just had to beat Tulane." - Jim Fourmy (LSU QB in 1905)
Memorable Games:
1934 - Tulane defeats LSU for SEC title
It was a huge shock to Tiger fans when Tulane upset LSU 13-12 to capture the SEC championship, and their action was summed up by Peter Finney: “LSU fans we too shocked for any post-game free-for-all. Leaving the stands, one weeping woman summed up what must still stand as the most bitter defeat of the ancient series. ‘If it had been anyone but those SOBs,’ she said dejectedly."
1938: The Riot
The Tigers played rough football right from the beginning, and a late hit after an attempted pass by Tulane’s All-SEC halfback Warn “Bronco” Brunner suffered a broken ankle in the first quarter. From that point onward the game became rough and bitter and finally culminated in a fist fight on the field between the opposing teams and a huge battle between the fans after the game. It is for this fight, or rather riot, that the game is most widely known.
However, the game is extremely interesting from an historical perspective not only because of the riot, but for two other reasons.
(1) the shift in dominance from LSU to Tulane in the late 1930s,
(2) the famous brawl and the tradition of the “Rag” which emerged from it
(3) the emergence of Tulane halfback Bob “Jitterbug” Kellogg, one of the greatest backs to ever don the Olive and the Blue.
1940: The creation of "THE RAG"
After the riot in the previous matchup both schools joined together to create "The Rag", in an effort to promote good sportsmanship. Its name came from the LSU fight song Tiger Rag and was used as the trophy for the wining team each year. The original flag was lost in a fire at Tulane in 1982. the flag contain the logos for both LSU and Tulane along with the Louisiana State Seal.
1950: Tulane Students Steal Mike the Tiger
On the eve of the Tulane-LSU game in 1950, 3 Tulane students noticed a trailer with a long cage being towed by a car parked at a restaurant in New Orleans. Inside the cage was Mike, the living, breathing, roaring mascot for LSU. Mike’s custodian was was inside the restaurant and was assigned to transport Mike to the LSU-Tulane Game in New Orleans. The three students couldn’t resist. They unhitched the trailer and hooked it with a chain to their 1942 Plymouth. After a police officer became suspicious and stopped them, they convinced him they were escorting the 500-pound tiger to Tulane’s Stadium, site of the old Sugar Bowl. (At one point, the chain came loose and the trailer passed them on the road.)
The cat-nappers made a triumphant return to campus. They circled the trailer behind the barracks and a crowd gathered in the wee hours of the morning. Several students wanted to paint Mike green — Tulane’s mascot is the Green Wave — but the partners in crime had no intention of harming the animal. They were just having some fun. They had planned to hold the tiger captive until halftime of the game the next day, but the dean of students suggested Mike be taken to a safe location off campus. When the sun came up the next morning, there were local radio reports about Mike’s abduction. LSU officials issued a statement, pleading for the hostage-takers to refrain from feeding the tiger because Mike was on a special diet.
The police showed up and took the 3 students into custody. They were not charged, but later were banned from LSU’s campus. Since then, Mike no longer travels to away games. The 1950 game ended in a 14-14 tie. In the mid-1980s, pranksters cut the lock on his cage before another Tulane game, allowing Mike IV to run free on campus and demolish a few small pine trees. No one was injured.
2007: First game after Katrina
LSU and Tulane met in the superdome with LSU wearing special uniforms to honor the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
I've been told stories of many more classic games between LSU and Tulane. However, they were so long ago that there is little information regarding most of them. Many old timers have told me about the train that Tulane fans would ride to Baton Rouge. The train would stop right next to tiger stadium, where fans created a giant tailgate in the grass surrounding the tracks. The train would stay there until Tulane fans reboarded after the game. I wish there was a picture of this. Hopefully one day this rivalry will return.
This post was edited on 11/23/22 at 5:11 pm
Posted on 11/23/22 at 5:04 pm to Ping Pong
I was born shortly before Tulane left the SEC. But one thing I remember as a child of the 70s was hating Ole Miss and Tulane. Thanks for the post Ping Pong. Wish we would finish the season with them as our rival every year.
Posted on 11/23/22 at 5:05 pm to Ping Pong
Great post! This game should be played every year. Really no good reason why it's not.
Posted on 11/23/22 at 5:05 pm to Ping Pong
I just never got the excitement about playing Tulane. It’s the equivalent of playing ULL, ULM or any other directional school.
Posted on 11/23/22 at 5:10 pm to Ping Pong
Playtex sponsor this one?
Posted on 11/23/22 at 5:24 pm to Ping Pong
I enjoy the fact we don’t have any rivalries.
Tulane….not worth a damn
Texas a&m portal…..not worth a damn.
Ole miss….not worth a damn.
Ark and msu have an argument. But they hate other teams more than us.
It’s a good place to be.
Tulane….not worth a damn
Texas a&m portal…..not worth a damn.
Ole miss….not worth a damn.
Ark and msu have an argument. But they hate other teams more than us.
It’s a good place to be.
Posted on 11/23/22 at 5:26 pm to Ping Pong
As a Vols fan it’s hard for me to hate on Vandy I wish we played Memphis instead because I hate everything about Memphis
I hate Memphis so much I wish we could give it Mississippi
After all Mississippi I’d just South Memphis anyway
I hate Memphis so much I wish we could give it Mississippi
After all Mississippi I’d just South Memphis anyway
Posted on 11/23/22 at 5:28 pm to Ping Pong
Thanks for the Poolane memories.
I have attended fights at Tiger Stadium where an LSU -Poolane game broke out. I have witnessed fights that ended games before the game was over. The state police had to intervene.
All real Tiger fans will tell you there is only one true rival and the most hated team we play in all sports is Poolane.
I have attended fights at Tiger Stadium where an LSU -Poolane game broke out. I have witnessed fights that ended games before the game was over. The state police had to intervene.
All real Tiger fans will tell you there is only one true rival and the most hated team we play in all sports is Poolane.
This post was edited on 11/23/22 at 5:31 pm
Posted on 11/23/22 at 5:41 pm to Ping Pong
I could see LSU in a tight battle to see who wins the Tampon.
Lots of Vag in Baton Rouge… mostly the “men”
Lots of Vag in Baton Rouge… mostly the “men”
Posted on 11/23/22 at 5:43 pm to Ping Pong
I wonder what their program (and the rivalry) would look like today had they not left the SEC and defunded their athletics
Posted on 11/23/22 at 5:55 pm to Ping Pong
The Rag>Magnolia Bowl trophy.
Any iteration.
Any iteration.
Posted on 11/23/22 at 6:10 pm to Ping Pong
I still remember those horrible back to back losses in 1981 and 82 and not being able to stop Zeno.
Posted on 11/23/22 at 6:22 pm to Ping Pong
Makes you wonder what rivalries we’ll have to tell people about 50 years from now that vanished.
Bedlam (OU-OSU) comes to mind immediately. Really any rivalry that isn’t in-conference when all this expansion stuff is over is on the chopping block.
Bedlam (OU-OSU) comes to mind immediately. Really any rivalry that isn’t in-conference when all this expansion stuff is over is on the chopping block.
Posted on 11/23/22 at 6:24 pm to Ping Pong
Good stuff. From late 50’s through the 70’s the LSU - Ole Miss was close to the rivalry with Tulane. As the crowd left after every home game for years until the Ole Miss game, the stadium echoed with “Go to hell Ole Miss,” and not just from the students.
I gather the feeling was similar in Oxford. In the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum is a copy of an anonymous letter calling for protests against James Meredith. The letter was dated in early October and ended with “Go to hell LSU.”
I gather the feeling was similar in Oxford. In the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum is a copy of an anonymous letter calling for protests against James Meredith. The letter was dated in early October and ended with “Go to hell LSU.”
Posted on 11/23/22 at 6:56 pm to Ping Pong
quote:
No other team not mentioned has that many wins against LSU in that timeframe.
fricking gold I tell you!
Posted on 11/23/22 at 7:36 pm to Ping Pong
Great post but Arkansas was not who swapped LSU for Mizzou for rivalry week. That was the SEC. No one in Arkansas was happy about the switch.
Posted on 11/23/22 at 8:20 pm to Ping Pong
In the mid-1980s, pranksters cut the lock on his cage before another Tulane game, allowing Mike IV to run free on campus and demolish a few small pine trees.
holy shite
holy shite
Posted on 11/24/22 at 1:17 am to Ping Pong
I will never forget a bumper sticker put out after Tulane beat LSU in 1981. “Culture 48, Agriculture 7.”
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