American college football season
The 1983 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University (LSU) as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1983 NCAA Division I-A football season . Led by fourth-year head coach Jerry Stovall , the Tigers compiled an overall record of 4–7, with a mark of 0–6 in conference play, and finished tied for ninth in the SEC.[ 1]
Following an Orange Bowl berth and a No. 11 final ranking the previous season , LSU cratered in its fourth season under Jerry Stovall , going winless in the Southeastern Conference for the only time in program history. The Tigers ended the season with a nationally televised victory against Tulane on Thanksgiving night, but it was not enough to save Stovall's job. The former LSU All-American and 1962 Heisman Trophy runner-up was fired by a 13–5 vote of the LSU Board of Supervisors December 2. Stovall's career record was 22–21–2.
Three days after Stovall's firing, Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Bill Arnsparger was named as his successor.
Date Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance Source September 10 No. 12 Florida State * No. 13 ABC L 35–4079,665 [ 2]
September 17 at Rice * W 24–1034,000 [ 3]
September 24 No. 9 Washington * Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA PPV W 40–1482,390 [ 4]
October 1 No. 12 Florida No. 16 Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA (rivalry ) PPV L 17–3178,616 [ 5]
October 8 at Tennessee TBS L 6–2094,478 [ 6]
October 15 Kentucky Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA PPV L 13–2177,765 [ 7]
October 22 South Carolina * Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA PPV W 20–671,951 [ 8]
October 29 at Ole Miss PPV L 24–2749,383 [ 9]
November 5 No. 19 Alabama Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA (rivalry ) ABC L 26–3270,606 [ 10]
November 12 Mississippi State Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA (rivalry ) PPV L 26–4574,439 [ 11]
November 24 at Tulane * TBS W 20–751,765 [ 12]
*Non-conference game HomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
[ 13]
1983 LSU Tigers football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Defense
Special teams
Pos.
#
Name
Class
K
9
Juan Betanzos
So
P
1
Clay Parker
So
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
George Belu – Offensive coordinator/offensive line
Morris Watts – Quarterbacks
Darrel Moody – Running backs
Stephen Regan – Wide receivers
Charlie Butler – Offensive line
Pete Jenkins – Defensive line
Bishop Harris – Outside linebackers
Buddy Nix – Inside linebackers
Bruce Johnson – Defensive backs
Sam Nader – Recruiting coordinator
Legend
(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
Injured
Redshirt
Roster
^ "1983 LSU Fighting Tigers Schedule and Results" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 3, 2023 .
^ "Florida State drops LSU" . Tulsa World . September 11, 1983. Retrieved November 3, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "LSU handles surprising Rice" . The Daily Advertiser . September 18, 1983. Retrieved December 30, 2022 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "LSU quarterback jolts Huskies, 40–14" . The Columbian . September 25, 1983. Retrieved November 3, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "LSU just Gator bait for Florida" . Daily World . October 2, 1983. Retrieved November 3, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "UT's Vols surprise LSU, 20–6" . The Leaf-Chronicle . October 9, 1983. Retrieved August 18, 2022 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Jenkins' tosses lead Kentucky past LSU" . The Paducah Sun . October 16, 1983. Retrieved November 3, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "LSU stops S. Carolina" . The Atlanta Journal & Constitution . October 23, 1983. Retrieved November 3, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "LSU drops to 0–4 in SEC warfare; Ole Miss prevails" . Alexandria Daily Town Talk . October 30, 1983. Retrieved November 3, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Crimson Tide holds off Tigers" . The Daily Advertiser . November 6, 1983. Retrieved October 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Bulldogs stop streak by swamping LSU" . The Commercial Appeal . November 13, 1983. Retrieved November 3, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "2nd-half surge seals LSU win over rival Wave" . Alexandria Daily Town Talk . November 25, 1983. Retrieved October 20, 2021 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "1983 LSU Football Schedule/Results | TigerDroppings.com" . www.tigerdroppings.com .
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