2003 LSU Tigers football team

The 2003 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University (LSU) during the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. Coached by Nick Saban, the LSU Tigers played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Tigers compiled an 11–1 regular season record and then defeated the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship Game, Afterward, LSU was invited to play the Oklahoma Sooners in the Sugar Bowl for the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) national title. LSU won the BCS National Championship Game, the first national football championship for LSU since 1958.

2003 LSU Tigers football
Coaches' Poll national champion BCS national champion NFF national champion SEC champion SEC Western Division co-champion Sugar Bowl champion
SEC Championship Game, W 34–13 vs. Georgia
Sugar Bowl (BCS NCG), W 21–14 vs. Oklahoma
Conference	Southeastern Conference
Division	Western Division
Ranking
Coaches	No. 1
AP	No. 2
Record	13–1 (7–1 SEC)
Head coach	Nick Saban (4th season)
Offensive coordinator	Jimbo Fisher (4th season)
Offensive scheme	Pro-style
Defensive coordinator	Will Muschamp (2nd season)
Base defense	4–3
Home stadium	Tiger Stadium
Seasons ← 2002 2004 →

2003 Southeastern Conference football standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
Eastern Division
No. 7 Georgia xy		6	–	2					11	–	3
No. 15 Tennessee x		6	–	2					10	–	3
No. 24 Florida x		6	–	2					8	–	5
South Carolina		2	–	6					5	–	7
Vanderbilt		1	–	7					2	–	10
Kentucky		1	–	7					4	–	8
Western Division
No. 2 LSU xy$#		7	–	1					13	–	1
No. 13 Ole Miss x		7	–	1					10	–	3
Auburn		5	–	3					8	–	5
Arkansas		4	–	4					9	–	4
Alabama		2	–	6					4	–	9
Mississippi State		1	–	7					2	–	10
Championship: LSU 34, Georgia 13
# – BCS National Champion $ – BCS representative as conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant Rankings from AP Poll

The 2003 college football regular season ended with three one-loss teams in BCS contention: the LSU Tigers, Oklahoma Sooners, and USC Trojans. USC ended the regular season ranked No. 1 and LSU No. 2 in both the AP Poll and the Coaches' Poll. Media controversy ensued when the BCS computer-based selection system chose LSU and Oklahoma as the participants in the BCS title game, largely based on an assessment of the relative difficulty of the three teams' 2003 schedules. During the bowl games, LSU beat No. 3 Oklahoma 21–14 in the Sugar Bowl (designated as the BCS National Championship Game for the 2003–04 season), while USC defeated the No. 4 Michigan Wolverines 28–14 in the Rose Bowl. LSU was ranked No. 1 in the final Coaches' Poll (which was contractually obligated to rank the BCS champion No. 1) while USC remained No. 1 in the final AP Poll, resulting in a non-consensus national title - the last time this has happened. Several experts have viewed the 2003 Tigers as having one of the greatest defenses in college football history.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 30	7:00 p.m.	Louisiana–Monroe*	No. 14	Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA		W 49–7	89,148
September 6	9:00 p.m.	at Arizona*	No. 13	Arizona Stadium Tucson, AZ	TBS	W 59–13	46,110
September 13	7:00 p.m.	Western Illinois*	No. 12	Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA		W 35–7	87,164
September 20	2:30 p.m.	No. 7 Georgia	No. 11	Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA (College GameDay)	CBS	W 17–10	92,251
September 27	8:00 p.m.	at Mississippi State	No. 7	Davis Wade Stadium Starkville, MS (rivalry)	ESPN2	W 41–6	45,835
October 11	2:30 p.m.	Florida	No. 6	Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA (rivalry)	CBS	L 7–19	92,077
October 18	6:45 p.m.	at South Carolina	No. 10	Williams–Brice Stadium Columbia, SC	ESPN2	W 33–7	82,525
October 25	7:00 p.m.	No. 17 Auburn	No. 9	Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA (Tiger Bowl)	ESPN	W 31–7	92,085
November 1	7:00 p.m.	Louisiana Tech*	No. 7	Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA	PPV	W 49–10	91,879
November 15	6:45 p.m.	at Alabama	No. 3	Bryant–Denny Stadium Tuscaloosa, AL (rivalry)	ESPN	W 27–3	83,818
November 22	2:30 p.m.	at No. 15 Ole Miss	No. 3	Vaught–Hemingway Stadium Oxford, MS (Magnolia Bowl)	CBS	W 17–14	62,552
November 28	1:30 p.m.	Arkansas	No. 3	Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA (Battle for the Golden Boot)	CBS	W 55–24	92,213
December 6	8:00 p.m.	vs. No. 5 Georgia	No. 3	Georgia Dome Atlanta, GA (SEC Championship Game) (College GameDay)	CBS	W 34–13	74,913
January 4, 2004	7:15 p.m.	vs. No. 3 Oklahoma*	No. 2	Louisiana Superdome New Orleans, LA (Sugar Bowl) (College GameDay)	ABC	W 21–14	79,342
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
( ) = First-place votes

	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	Final
AP	14	13	12	11	7	6	6	10	9	7	4	3	3	3	3	2 (21)	2 (17)
Coaches	15	13	11	10	7	6	6	10	9	8	4	3	3	3	3	2 (18)	1 (60)
BCS	Not released								12	7	7	4	4	3	3	2	Not released

Roster

Quarterbacks 12 Marcus Randall 15 Matt Flynn 18 Matt Mauck 4 JaMarcus Russell 8 Ty Barrett 19 Michael Harrison Running backs 22 Torey Bennett 2 Shyrone Carey 23 Jason Spadoni 25 Justin Vincent 10 Joseph Addai 32 Barrington Edwards 22 Alley Broussard H-Backs Fullbacks 24 Tyler Olivier 49 Michael Ricks 35 Brandon Nowlin 40 Shawn Jordan 44 Kevin Steltz 11 Jason Lile Wide receivers 86 Junior Joseph 13 Steve Mares 14 Michael Clayton 9 Devery Henderson 87 Blain Bech 4 Michael Russo 81 Dwayne Bowe 85 Craig Davis 17 Bennie Brazell 38 Gino Giambelluca 8 Terrell Clayton 80 Schirra Fields 5 Skyler Green 42 Andre Gill 1 Amp Hill		Tight ends 47 Eric Edwards 82 David Jones 84 Andrew Wright 83 Kory Hebert 88 Demetri Robinson 89 Keith Zinger Center 59 Doug Planchard 55 Ben Wilkerson 61 Jimmy Courtenay Offensive line 65 Steve Arflin 62 Brandon Hurley 69 Garett Wibel 75 Brian Johnson 71 Nate Livings 68 Terrell McGill 72 Stephen Peterman 67 Bradley Sowa 74 Josh Dicharry 64 Rudy Niswanger 62 Harold Bicknell 73 Will Arnold 66 Jerry Sevin 76 Andrew Whitworth 63 Mac McLachlan 60 Rodney Reed 78 Paris Hodges 77 Peter Dyakowski Defensive line 59 Leo Desselle Defensive end 79 Sean Merrill 84 Marcus Spears 52 Ryan Willis 96 Carnell Stewart 97 Brandon Washington 94 Marquise Hill 48 Kirston Pittman 53 Tory Collins		Defensive tackle 98 Torran Williams 92 Bryce Wyatt 50 Jarrod Carter 89 Timothy Binion 90 Melvin Oliver 95 Kyle Williams 93 Chad Lavalais Linebackers 99 Jason LeDoux 45 Willie Demps 35 Mark Martin 19 Darius Ingram 63 Patrick McGibboney 57 Dave Peterson 34 Dorsett Buckels 27 Eric Alexander 40 Barrett Dupuy 52 Joey Noto 47 Dustin Adams 35 Micah Metrailer 91 Alonzo Manuel 56 Kenneth Hollis 42 Phillip Maxwell 46 Cameron Vaughn 58 Lionel Turner 51 Dominic Cooper 54 Brian West 55 Chris McCauley 7 Adrian Mayes Defensive backs 37 Daniel Francis 38 Vernon Russell, Jr. 6 Ryan Gilbert 28 Jeff Cook 39 Troy Hankton 9 Corey Meredith 28 Greg Hercules 44 Patrick Babinecz 30 LaRon Landry 33 Jonathan Zenon 26 Nick Child 31 Jessie Daniels 41 Marcques Lewis		Cornerbacks 13 Corey Webster 24 Keron Gordon 29 Travis Daniels 1 Ronnie Prude 21 Randall Gay Safeties 8 Jack Hunt 43 Chad White Punters 16 Ross Cockrell 80 Donnie Jones 36 Patrick Fisher Kickers 35 Andre Boagni 6 Colt David 41 Chris Jackson 39 Ryan Gaudet Long snappers 86 Steve Damen 70 Gant Petty

Game summaries

Louisiana–Monroe

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
LA-Monroe	0	0	0	7	7
• LSU	0	21	21	7	49

• Date: August 30
• Location: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Game start: 8:00 p.m. EST

Arizona

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• LSU	17	21	7	14	59
Arizona	0	0	0	13	13

• Date: September 6
• Location: Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Arizona
• Game start: 7:00 p.m. MST
• Television network: TBS

Western Illinois

Western Illinois was ranked No. 1 in I-AA and played the Tigers close, only down 13–7 in the 3rd quarter. The Tigers had fumbled twice in the red zone, missed an extra point and a field goal and botched a punt. QB Matt Mauck had a career game to extend the lead in the second half. He set career highs with 305 yards passing and four touchdowns, giving LSU its first 3–0 start in five years.

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
W Illinois	0	0	7	0	7
• LSU	6	7	15	7	35

• Date: September 13
• Location: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Game start: 8:00 p.m. EST
• Game attendance: 87,164
• Game weather: 79 deg F, Wind E 5–10, 74% humidity

Scoring summary

Q1	08:18	LSU	Michael Clayton 10 yd pass from Matt Mauck (Ryan Gaudet kick failed)	LSU 6–0
Q2	0:42	LSU	Shyrone Carey 1 yd run (Chris Jackson kick)	LSU 13–0
Q3	10:08	WIU	Terrence Hall 3 yd pass from Russ Michna (Justin Langan kick)	LSU 13-7
Q3	5:00	LSU	Skyler Green 8 yd pass from Matt Mauck (Matt Mauck rush)	LSU 21–7
Q3	2:26	LSU	Skyler Green 40 yd pass from Matt Mauck (Chris Jackson kick)	LSU 28-7
Q4	8:29	AUB	D. Henderson 16 yd pass from Matt Mauck (Chris Jackson kick)	LSU 35–7

Georgia

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Georgia	3	0	0	7	10
• LSU	0	7	3	7	17

• Date: September 20
• Location: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Game start: 2:30 p.m. CDT
• TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist, Todd Blackledge and Jill Arrington

Scoring summary

Q1	6:20	UGA	Billy Bennett 33 yard field goal	UGA 3–0
Q2	3:10	LSU	Shyrone Carey 21 yard run (Ryan Gaudet kick)	LSU 7–3
Q3	6:23	LSU	Ryan Gaudet 47 yard field goal	LSU 10–3
Q4	4:25	UGA	Tyson Browning 93 yard pass from David Greene (Billy Bennett kick)	Tie 10–10
Q4	1:22	LSU	Skyler Green 34 yard pass from Matt Mauck (Ryan Gaudet kick)	LSU 17–10

Mississippi State

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• LSU	7	17	10	7	41
Mississippi St	0	0	0	6	6

• Date: September 27
• Location: Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, Mississippi
• Game start: 9:00 p.m. EST

Florida

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• Florida	10	3	6	0	19
LSU	7	0	0	0	7

• Date: October 11
• Location: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Game start: 3:30 p.m. EST

South Carolina

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• LSU	6	13	7	7	33
South Carolina	0	0	7	0	7

• Date: October 18
• Location: Williams–Brice Stadium, Columbia, South Carolina
• Game start: 7:45 p.m. EST

Auburn

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Auburn	0	0	0	7	7
• LSU	21	0	10	0	31

• Date: October 25
• Location: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Game start: 7:45 p.m. EST

Scoring summary

Q1	13:01	LSU	Devery Henderson 64 yard pass from Matt Mauck (Ryan Gaudet kick)	LSU 7–0
Q1	7:43	LSU	Michael Clayton 18 yard pass from Matt Mauck (Ryan Gaudet kick)	LSU 14–0
Q1	2:58	LSU	Alley Broussard 5 yard run (Ryan Gaudet kick)	LSU 21–0
Q3	8:28	LSU	Ryan Gaudet 33 yard field goal	LSU 24–0
Q3	3:46	LSU	Devery Henderson 16 yard pass from Matt Mauck (Ryan Gaudet kick)	LSU 31–0
Q4	6:10	AUB	Anthony Mix 6 yard pass from Jason Campbell (Philip Yost kick)	LSU 31–7

Louisiana Tech

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Louisiana Tech	0	3	7	0	10
• LSU	28	21	0	0	49

• Date: November 1
• Location: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Game start: 8:00 p.m. EST

Alabama

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• LSU	10	7	7	3	27
Alabama	0	0	0	3	3

• Date: November 15
• Location: Bryant–Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
• Game start: 7:45 p.m. EST

Scoring summary

Q1	10:34	LSU	Chris Jackson 20 yard field goal	LSU 3–0
Q1	9:16	LSU	Michael Clayton 23 yard pass from Matt Mauck (Chris Jackson kick)	LSU 10–0
Q2	2:03	LSU	Eric Edwards 3 yard pass from Matt Mauck (Chris Jackson kick)	LSU 17–0
Q3	9:15	LSU	Alley Broussard 4 yard run (Chris Jackson kick)	LSU 24–0
Q4	10:11	LSU	Chris Jackson 33 yard field goal	LSU 27–0
Q4	6:39	ALA	Brian Bostick 27 yard field goal	LSU 27–3

Ole Miss

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• LSU	3	7	0	7	17
Ole Miss	7	0	0	7	14

• Date: November 22
• Location: Vaught–Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, Mississippi
• Game start: 2:30 p.m. CST
• TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist, Todd Blackledge and Jill Arrington

Scoring summary

Q1	13:54	MISS	Travis Johnson 6 yard interception return (Jonathan Nichols kick)	MISS 7–0
Q1	6:44	LSU	Chris Jackson 45 yard field goal	MISS 7–3
Q2	2:42	LSU	Michael Clayton 9 yard pass from Matt Mauck (Chris Jackson kick)	LSU 10–7
Q4	14:50	LSU	Devery Henderson 53 yard pass from Matt Mauck (Chris Jackson kick)	LSU 17–7
Q4	10:51	MISS	Brandon Jacobs 10 yard pass from Eli Manning (Jonathan Nichols kick)	LSU 17–14

Arkansas

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Arkansas	10	7	0	7	24
• LSU	10	24	21	0	55

• Date: November 28
• Location: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Game start: 1:30 p.m. CST

SEC Championship Game

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
• LSU	8	9	7	10	34
Georgia	0	3	10	0	13

• Date: December 6
• Location: Georgia Dome, Atlanta
• Game start: 8:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: Indoors
• TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist, Todd Blackledge and Jill Arrington

Sugar Bowl

Team	1	2	3	4	Total
Oklahoma	0	7	0	7	14
• LSU	7	7	7	0	21

• Date: January 4
• Location: Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
• Game start: 7:00 p.m. CST
• Game attendance: 79,342
• Game weather: Indoors
• Referee: Dennis Hennigan
• TV announcers (ABC): Brent Musburger and Gary Danielson

Scoring summary

Q1	11:38	LSU	Skyler Green 24 yard run (Ryan Gaudet kick)	LSU 7–0
Q2	7:31	OKLA	Kejuan Jones 1 yard run (Trey DiCarlo kick)	Tie 7–7
Q2	4:21	LSU	Justin Vincent 18 yard run (Ryan Gaudet kick)	LSU 14–7
Q3	14:13	LSU	Marcus Spears 20 yard interception return (Ryan Gaudet kick)	LSU 21–7
Q4	11:01	OKLA	Kejuan Jones 1 yard run (Trey DiCarlo kick)	LSU 21–14

LSU Tigers in the 2004 NFL draft

Player	Position	Round	Pick	Overall	NFL team
Michael Clayton	Wide receiver	1	15	15	Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Devery Henderson	Wide receiver	2	18	50	New Orleans Saints
Marquise Hill	Defensive end	2	31	63	New England Patriots
Stephen Peterman	Offensive Guard	3	20	83	Dallas Cowboys
Chad Lavalais	Defensive tackle	5	10	142	Atlanta Falcons
Donnie Jones	Punter	7	23	224	Seattle Seahawks
Matt Mauck	Quarterback	7	24	225	Denver Broncos