LSU Tigers football, 1893–99

Contents:	1893 – 1894 – 1895 – 1896 – 1897 – 1898 – 1899

1893

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Overview

1893 was the first year that LSU sponsored a football team. The Tigers were coached by university professor Dr Charles E. Coates against in-state school Tulane University of New Orleans. The game sparked a rivalry between the Tigers and the Green Wave that has lasted generations. Future Louisiana governor Ruffin G. Pleasant was the quarterback and captain of the LSU team. In the first game against Tulane, LSU football players wore purple and gold ribbons on their uniforms. According to legend, purple and gold were chosen because they were Mardi Gras colors, and the green of Mardi Gras was sold out. An LSU baseball team had also worn purple and gold in its first varsity game against Tulane earlier in 1893, even though LSU's official colors at the time were actually blue and white.

Schedule

November 25, 1893at Tulane*

• Sportsman's Park
• New Orleans, LA (Battle for the Rag)

L 0–34

Roster

No.	Player	Position	Height	Weight	Hometown	High School
-	Charles P. Andrews	-	-	-	Mer Rouge, LA	-
-	William C. Bates	Right End	-	-	Baton Rouge, LA	-
-	James Beard	Center	-	-	Lake Providence, LA	-
-	Wilfred Boudreaux	Guard, Tackle	-	-	Sunset, LA	-
-	Alexis "Alex" Brian	Left Tackle	-	-	Montgomery, LA	-
-	Ralph A. Broussard	Halfback	-	-	Abbeville, LA	-
-	Samuel P. Brown	Guard, Tackle	-	-	Carencro, LA	-
-	F. Joseph Cambon	Guard, Tackle	-	-	Dulac, LA	-
-	Eugene Preston Campbell	End	-	-	Vidalia, LA	-
-	Samuel Marmaduke Dinwidie Clark	Left End	-	-	DeValls, LA	-
-	Gordon A. Dennis	-	-	-	Shreveport, LA	-
-	Sam G. Dupree	Guard	-	-	Baton Rouge, LA	-
-	Edwin Franklin Gayle	Halfback	-	155	Legonier, LA	-
-	James M. Huey	-	-	-	Ruston, LA	-
-	Frederick G. Lyons	Quarterback	-	-	New Orleans, LA	-
-	Ruffin G. Pleasant	Quarterback	-	-	Farmerville, LA	-
-	Joel M. Pratt	End	-	-	Baton Rouge, LA	-
-	Aaron Prescott	-	-	-	Washington, LA	-
-	Willis B. Prescott	Fullback	-	-	Washington,LA	-
-	James A. Roane	-	-	-	Vienna, LA	-
-	George C. Schoenberger	End	-	-	Buras, LA	-
-	E. E. Scott	Center	-	-	Kingston, LA	-
-	William Crosby Smedes	Center	-	-	Vicksburg, MS	-
-	Charles H. Tisdale	Halfback	-	-	New Orleans, LA	-
-	Walter S. Trichel	Fullback	-	-	Natchitoches, LA	-
-	Charles G. Young	Guard, Tackle	-	-	Homer, LA	-

Roster from Fanbase.com and LSU: The Louisiana Tigers

1894

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Overview

The Tigers adopted a new coach, Albert Simmons, for the three-game 1894 season. This season marked LSU's first ever victory with the 26–0 win over Natchez Athletic Club. The team's captain, Samuel Marmaduke Dinwidie Clark, became the first LSU player to ever score a touchdown during the game against Natchez A.C. The first football game played on the LSU campus was on December 3, 1894, against Mississippi. LSU's only touchdown in that game was scored by the head coach, Albert Simmons. This was the first year of play for William S. Slaughter who lettered as an End for 5 years (1894, 1895, 1896, 1897, 1898). Slaughter was LSU's first five time football letterman.

Schedule

November 30, 1894at Natchez Athletic Club*Natchez, MSW 26–0 December 3, 1894Mississippi (Ole Miss)*

• State Field
• Baton Rouge, LA

L 6–26 December 21, 1894Centenary*

• State Field
• Baton Rouge, LA

W 30–0

Roster

No.	Player	Position	Height	Weight	Hometown	High School
-	J. H. "Hughes" Arrighi	Tackle	-	-	Natchez, MS	-
-	James Beard	Center	-	-	Lake Providence, LA	-
-	Alexis "Alex" Brian	Left Tackle	-	-	Montgomery, LA	-
-	Ralph A. Broussard	Halfback	-	-	Abbeville,LA	-
-	Samuel M. D. Clark	Left End	-	-	DeValls, LA	-
-	John C. Conner	-	-	-	Monroe, LA	-
-	Sam G. Dupree	Guard	-	-	Baton Rouge, LA	-
-	Harry P. Gamble	End	-	-	Natchitoches, LA	-
-	Maurice Grivot	-	-	-	New Orleans, LA	-
-	Abner A. Hodge	-	-	-	Natchez, MS	-
-	Guy N. Hunter	-	-	-	Waterproof, LA	-
-	Louis T. Hunter	-	-	-	Waterproof, LA	-
-	William J. Lewis	Quarterback, Halfback	-	-	Ruston, LA	-
-	William B. Mullins	End	-	-	Simsboro, LA	-
-	William Nelken	-	-	-	Natchitoches, LA	-
-	Robert J. Nelson	-	-	-	Monroe, LA	-
-	Edward T. J. Newell	-	-	-	St. Joseph, LA	-
-	Gordon B. Nicholson	Halfback	-	-	Baton Rouge, LA	-
-	Willis B. Prescott	Fullback	-	-	Washington, LA	-
-	Lewis A. W. Quirk	Tackle	-	-	Washington, LA	-
-	John R. Salassi	Guard	-	-	French Settlement, LA	-
-	Frederick H. Schneider	Guard	-	-	Lake Providence, LA	-
-	E. E. Scott	Center	-	-	Kingston, LA	-
-	William S. Slaughter	End	-	-	Port Hudson, LA	-
-	William C Smedes	Center	-	-	Vicksburg, MS	-
-	John E. Snyder	Quarterback	-	-	-	-
-	Duncan P. Staples	-	-	-	Alexandria, LA	-
-	George D. Waddill	-	-	-	Baton Rouge, LA	-
-	Rene J. Webster	-	-	-	Jeanerette, LA	-
-	John T. Westbrook	End	-	-	Baton Rouge, LA	-
-	Charles G. Young	Guard, Tackle	-	-	Homer, LA	-

Roster from Fanbase.com and LSU: The Louisiana Tigers

1895

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Overview

Coach Albert P. Simmons, in his last year at LSU, helped the Tigers to an undefeated season in 1895. 1895 was the first unbeaten season in LSU football history. The season also featured the first home victory in LSU history with a win over Tulane in front of 1,500 spectators. LSU joined the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) in 1895, and began playing as part of the conference in 1896.

Schedule

October 26, 1895Tulane

• State Field
• Baton Rouge, LA (Battle for the Rag)

W 8–41,500 November 2, 1895at Centenary*Jackson, LAW 16–6- November 18, 1895Alabama

• State Field
• Baton Rouge, LA

W 12–6-

Roster

No.	Player	Position	Height	Weight	Hometown	High School
-	J. H. Arrighi	Tackle	-	-	Natchez, MS	-
-	Joel B. Bateman	Guard	-	-	Franklin, LA	-
-	Armand P. Daspit	Halfback	-	-	Houma, LA	-
-	Justin C. Daspit	Halfback	-	-	Houma, LA	-
-	Harry P. Gamble	End	-	-	Natchitoches, LA	-
-	Phillip P. Huyck	Guard	-	-	Baton Rouge, LA	-
-	Sam Lambert	Fullback	-	-	Baton Rouge, LA	-
-	Wiltz M. Ledbetter	Guard	-	-	Summerfield, LA	-
-	John E. Morris	Tackle	-	-	West Monroe, LA	-
-	Gordon B. Nicholson	Halfback	-	-	Baton Rouge, LA	-
-	Lewis A. W. Quirk	Tackle	-	-	Washington, LA	-
-	John R. Salassi	Guard	-	-	French Settlement, LA	-
-	James W. Sanders	Center	-	-	Franklin, LA	-
-	Frederick H. Schneider	Guard	-	-	Lake Providence, LA	-
-	Edwin A. Scott	Left Tackle	-	-	Wilson, LA	-
-	William S. Slaughter	End	-	-	Port Hudson, LA	-
-	John E. Snyder	Quarterback	-	-	Georgetown, TX	-
-	John T. Westbrook	End	-	-	Baton Rouge, LA	-

Roster from Fanbase.com and LSU: The Louisiana Tigers

1896

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1896 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings

	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
LSU +	3	–	0	–	0			6	–	0	–	0
Georgia +	2	–	0	–	0			4	–	0	–	0
Vanderbilt	2	–	0	–	2			3	–	2	–	2
Auburn	3	–	1	–	0			3	–	1	–	0
Texas	1	–	1	–	0			4	–	2	–	1
Alabama	1	–	1	–	0			2	–	1	–	0
Kentucky State College	1	–	1	–	0			3	–	6	–	0
Sewanee	3	–	3	–	0			3	–	3	–	0
Tennessee	0	–	0	–	0			4	–	0	–	0
Tulane	1	–	2	–	0			3	–	2	–	0
Nashville	0	–	1	–	1			0	–	1	–	1
Mercer	0	–	2	–	1			0	–	2	–	1
Central (KY)	0	–	2	–	1			0	–	3	–	1
Mississippi A&M	0	–	2	–	0			0	–	4	–	0
SW Presbyterian	0	–	2	–	0			0	–	3	–	0
Cumberland (TN)			–							–
+ – Conference co-champions

Overview

The 1896 Tigers, with coach Allen Jeardeau, went undefeated and were the SIAA co-champions. This was LSU's first season playing as a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA). It was LSU's second undefeated season in football. The 1896 team was the first LSU team to use the nickname "Tigers".

Schedule

October 10, 1896Centenary*

• State Field
• Baton Rouge, LA

W 46–0 October 24, 1896at TulaneNew Orleans, LA (Battle for the Rag)W 6–0 November 13, 1896vs. Mississippi (Ole Miss)Vicksburg, MSW 12–4 November 16, 1896Texas

• State Field
• Baton Rouge, LA

W 14–0 November 20, 1896Mississippi A&M (Mississippi State)

• State Field
• Baton Rouge, LA

W 52–0 November 28, 1896at Southern Athletic Club*New Orleans, LAW 6–0

Roster

No.	Player	Position	Height	Weight	Hometown	High School
-	J. H. "Hughes" Arrighi	Tackle	-	-	Natchez, MS	-
-	James S. Atkinson	Quarterback	-	-	Ruston, LA	-
-	A. T. Barbin	-	-	-	Marksville, LA	-
-	Edmund Auguste M. Chavanne	Center	-	-	Lake Charles, LA	-
-	Armand P. Daspit	Halfback	-	-	Houma, LA	-
-	Justin C. Daspit	Halfback	-	-	Houma, LA	-
-	Samuel A. Gourrier	Quarterback, Halfback	-	-	Baton Rouge, LA	-
-	James F. Harp	-	-	-	Bonita, LA	-
-	Phillip P. Huyck	Guard	-	-	Baton Rouge, LA	-
-	Sam Lambert	Fullback	-	-	Baton Rouge, LA	-
-	Wiltz M. Ledbetter	Guard	-	-	Summerfield, LA	-
-	Gordon B. Nicholson	Fullback	-	-	Baton Rouge, LA	-
-	Archie Ed Robertson	Fullback	-	-	Plaquemine, LA	-
-	John R. Salassi	Guard	-	-	French Settlement, LA	-
-	Frederick H. Schneider	Guard	-	-	Lake Providence, LA	-
-	George C. Schoenberger	End	-	-	Buras, LA	-
†	Edwin A. Scott	-	-	-	Wilson, LA	-
-	William S. Slaughter	End	-	-	Port Hudson, LA	-
-	John T. Westbrook	End	-	-	Baton Rouge, LA	-

† -Team Captain
Roster from Fanbase.com and LSU: The Louisiana Tigers

Game Notes

Tulane

The Tulane game of this year was forfeited during the game due to Tulane having fielded an ineligible player. At the time that the game was declared forfeit, Tulane was leading with a score of 2 to nothing. About 10 minutes into the second half, LSU was moving the ball toward the goal line when a Tulane player named Depleche was injured. The injured player was replaced by George H. Brooke. LSU ran another play and gained 5 yards before realizing the identity of this substitute Tulane player. LSU's team captain, Edwin A. Scott protested to the game's referee, Lieutenant Wall. Scott cited the rules of the SIAA and the mutual pre-game agreement between the schools as reasons that Brooke should be declared ineligible to play. Tulane's team captain, Louis J. Genella, refused to take Brooke out of the game and stated that Tulane refused to play without him. After a lengthy debate, the referee ruled that Brooke could not play, and that Tulane forfeited the game by refusing to play without him. During the debate, Tulane argued that Brooke, who was previously a two time All-American at Pennsylvania, planned to enroll as a graduate student at Tulane. Brooke refused to sign an affidavit of his intention to enroll at Tulane. Due to the forfeiture, the official score was set at LSU 6, Tulane 0 by the game's referee. Dr. William Dudley, of the SIAA, later ruled that the game referee was right to declare the game forfeited and that men planning to enter a school were not eligible to play. Dudley ruled that prospective players should be enrolled for two weeks before being allowed to play in a game.

1897

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1897 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings

	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
Vanderbilt $	3	–	0	–	0			6	–	0	–	1
Georgia	2	–	0	–	0			2	–	1	–	0
Auburn	2	–	0	–	1			2	–	0	–	1
Tennessee	1	–	0	–	0			4	–	1	–	0
Central (KY)	1	–	1	–	0			1	–	2	–	0
Nashville	1	–	1	–	0			1	–	1	–	0
Alabama	0	–	0	–	0			1	–	0	–	0
Texas	0	–	0	–	0			6	–	2	–	0
LSU	0	–	0	–	0			1	–	1	–	0
Sewanee	1	–	2	–	1			1	–	3	–	1
Clemson	0	–	1	–	0			2	–	2	–	0
Mercer	0	–	1	–	0			0	–	2	–	1
Cumberland (TN)	0	–	1	–	0			0	–	1	–	0
Kentucky State College	0	–	2	–	0			2	–	4	–	0
SW Presbyterian	0	–	0	–	0			0	–	0	–	0
$ – Conference champion

Overview

Coach Allen Jeardeau returned for his second but final year at LSU in 1897 for two games in Baton Rouge. A yellow fever outbreak throughout the South caused the postponement of LSU's classes starting, and the football season being cut back to only two games.

Schedule

December 20, 1897Montgomery Athletic Club*

• State Field
• Baton Rouge, LA

W 28–6 January 8, 1898Cincinnati*

• State Field
• Baton Rouge, LA

L 0–26

The 0–26 loss to the Bearcats is disputed. Some sources list the final score as Cincinnati 28, LSU 0.

Roster

No.	Player	Position	Height	Weight	Hometown	High School
-	W. Benjamin Chamberlin	-	-	-	DeVall, LA	-
-	Edmund Auguste M. Chavanne	Center	-	-	Lake Charles, LA	-
-	Armand P. Daspit	Halfback	-	-	Houma, LA	-
-	Justin C. Daspit	Halfback	-	-	Houma, LA	-
-	Frank A. Godchaux	Quarterback	-	-	Baton Rouge, LA	-
-	William C. Howell	End	-	-	St. Francisville, LA	-
-	Phillip P. Huyck	Guard	-	-	Baton Rouge, LA	-
-	Leopold Kaffie	Center	-	-	Natchitoches, LA	-
-	George B. Lesueur	-	-	-	Baton Rouge, LA	-
-	Julius M. Levy	-	-	-	Evergreen, LA	-
-	Gordon B. Nicholson	Halfback	-	-	Baton Rouge, LA	-
-	Edwin A. Scott	-	-	-	Wilson, LA	-
-	Thomas L. Sherburne	Guard	-	-	Baton Rouge, LA	-
-	William S. Slaughter	End	-	-	Port Hudson, LA	-
-	Duncan P. Staples	-	-	-	Alexandria, LA	-
-	John T. Westbrook	End	-	-	Baton Rouge, LA	-

Roster from Fanbase.com and LSU: The Louisiana Tigers

1898

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1898 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings

	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
Sewanee	3	–	0	–	0			4	–	0	–	0
Auburn	2	–	0	–	0			2	–	1	–	0
LSU	1	–	0	–	0			1	–	0	–	0
Georgia	3	–	1	–	0			4	–	2	–	0
Clemson	1	–	1	–	0			3	–	1	–	0
Tulane	1	–	1	–	0			1	–	1	–	0
Vanderbilt	1	–	2	–	0			1	–	5	–	0
Mississippi	0	–	1	–	0			1	–	1	–	0
Texas	0	–	1	–	0			5	–	1	–	0
Nashville	0	–	2	–	0			0	–	2	–	0
Georgia Tech	0	–	3	–	0			0	–	4	–	0
Kentucky State#	0	–	0	–	0			7	–	0	–	0
Cumberland (TN)	0	–	0	–	0			0	–	0	–	0
SW Presbyterian	0	–	0	–	0			0	–	0	–	0
$ – Conference champion # – State champion

Overview

The Tigers, with new coach Edmond Chavanne, played only one game for the 1898 season. It was their third undefeated season. Another outbreak of yellow fever similar to the one in 1897 caused LSU to play only one game. By the time LSU was able to play its only game of the season, Allen Jeardeau had departed from the school as head football coach, and no provision had been made to replace him. The job of coach then fell to the team's captain, Edmond Chavanne. He holds the distinction of being the only player-coach in LSU football history. 1898 marked the final year of play for William S. Slaughter. He was LSU's first five time football letterman.

Schedule

December 14, 1898Tulane

• State Field
• Baton Rouge, LA (Battle for the Rag)

W 37–0

Roster

No.	Player	Position	Height	Weight	Hometown	High School
-	Hulette F. "Red" Aby	Tackle	-	-	Natchez, MS	-
-	Joel B. Bateman	Guard	-	-	Franklin, LA	-
-	W. Benjamin Chamberlin	-	-	-	DeVall, LA	-
-	Edmund Auguste M. Chavanne	Center	-	-	Lake Charles, LA	-
-	Walter A. Coco	Guard	-	-	Marksville, LA	-
-	Armand P. Daspit	Halfback	-	-	Houma, LA	-
-	Justin C, Daspit	Halfback	-	-	Houma, LA	-
-	Leopold Kaffie	Center	-	-	Natchitoches, LA	-
-	George B. LeSueur	-	-	-	Houma, LA	-
-	Thomas L. Sherburne	Guard	-	-	Baton Rouge, LA	-
-	William S. Slaughter	End	-	-	Port Hudson, LA	-
-	John T. Stanford	-	-	-	Baton Rouge, LA	-
-	Benjamin B. Wall	Halfback	-	-	Alexandria, LA	-

Roster from Fanbase.com and LSU: The Louisiana Tigers

1899

{{{year}}} [[{{{team}}} football]]

1899 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association football standings

	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
Sewanee $	11	–	0	–	0			12	–	0	–	0
Vanderbilt	5	–	0	–	0			7	–	2	–	0
Alabama	1	–	0	–	0			3	–	1	–	0
Nashville	4	–	1	–	0			4	–	1	–	1
Tennessee	2	–	1	–	0			6	–	2	–	0
Auburn	2	–	1	–	1			3	–	1	–	1
Texas	3	–	2	–	0			6	–	2	–	0
North Carolina	1	–	1	–	0			7	–	3	–	0
Ole Miss	3	–	4	–	0			3	–	4	–	0
Georgia	2	–	3	–	1			2	–	3	–	1
Clemson	1	–	2	–	0			4	–	2	–	0
Central (KY)	1	–	2	–	0			1	–	2	–	0
LSU	1	–	3	–	0			1	–	4	–	0
Kentucky State	0	–	1	–	0			5	–	2	–	2
SW Presbyterian	0	–	1	–	0			1	–	1	–	0
Cumberland (TN)	0	–	3	–	0			0	–	3	–	0
Georgia Tech	0	–	5	–	0			0	–	6	–	0
Tulane	0	–	5	–	0			0	–	6	–	1
$ – Conference champion

Overview

New coach John P. Gregg led the 1899 Tigers to a 1–4 season. The only wins were in an exhibition game against a high school team (which LSU does not officially record as a win) and against rival, Tulane. It was the first year of play for LSU's second five year letterman, John J. Coleman (1899, 1900, 1901, 1902, 1903).

Schedule

November 3, 1899vs. Mississippi (Ole Miss)Meridian, MS (Magnolia Bowl)L 0–11 November 10, 1899at Lake Charles H.S.*Lake Charles, LAW 48–0 November 13, 1899Sewanee

• State Field
• Baton Rouge, LA

L 0–34 November 30, 1899at Texas

• Clark Field
• Austin, TX

L 0–29 December 2, 1899at Texas A&M*College Station, TXL 0–52 December 8, 1899Tulane

• State Field
• Baton Rouge, LA (Battle for the Rag)

W 38–0

Roster

No.	Player	Position	Height	Weight	Hometown	High School
-	Hulette F. "Red" Aby	Tackle	-	-	Natchez, MS	-
-	Edward R. Barrow	-	-	-	Baton Rouge, LA	-
-	W. Benjamin Chamberlin	-	-	-	DeVall, LA	-
-	Edmund Auguste M. Chavanne	Center	-	-	Lake Charles, LA	-
-	John J. Coleman	Halfback	-	-	New Orleans, LA	-
-	George Fuchs	Guard	-	-	New Orleans, LA	-
-	Edwin S. Gorham	End	-	-	Lake Charles, LA	-
-	F. V. Gremillion	Tackle	-	-	-	-
-	Joseph O. Herpin	End	-	-	Lafayette, LA	-
-	Henry E. Landry	Fullback	-	-	Garyville, LA	-
-	Charles M. Lawrason	End	-	-	St. Francisville, LA	-
-	Hampton T. Lemoine	-	-	-	Marksville, LA	-
-	George B. LeSueur	-	-	-	Baton Rouge, LA	-
-	George K. Pratt	Tackle	-	-	New Orleans, LA	-
-	Ivan H. Schwing	Quarterback	-	-	Lake Charles, LA	-
-	John T. Stanford	-	-	-	Baton Rouge, LA	-
-	Benjamin B. Wall	Halfback	-	-	Alexandria, LA	-

Roster from Fanbase.com and LSU: The Louisiana Tigers