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Jimbo Fisher reflects on memorable LSU-Auburn 2001 game, talks challenge of playing in Death Valley
By Dave Holcomb
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Jimbo Fisher and Texas A&M will host Mississippi State this Saturday, but in his teleconference on Wednesday, Fisher took the time to remember the historic 2001 matchup between LSU and Auburn.
The game that year was rescheduled to Dec. 1 because of the Sept. 11 attacks, and it just so happened that it was a defacto SEC West championship game.
“That was an emotional game, Fisher said. “They had two losses we had three losses that year. We won the West that year with three losses, which is very rare.”
The day had everything from pregame trash dancing to successful surprise onside kicks.
“They were dancing on the (Tiger) eye (in pregame), I believe is what happened and we didn’t walk out, we elected to take the penalty, kicked an onside and got it, went down and scored if I remember,” Fisher said. “That really set them back and we took control of the game for the whole game from that point on. They had a really good team but that was a big game for the development of LSU at that time.
The 27-14 win against Auburn placed LSU in the SEC Championship, which was a rematch between the Tigers and Tennessee Volunteers. Tennessee defeated LSU in the first matchup, but in the SEC Championship, LSU won, 31-20.
After winning the Sugar Bowl as well, LSU finishes seventh in the 2001 Final AP Poll. The Tigers ended 8-5 the following year but then went on to win a piece of the national championship in 2003 with a 13-1 record.
“It was an iconic game for our development at LSU, it took us four or five years to really get that thing rolling but that was a big win, to win the SEC West with three losses which is very rare,” said Fisher.
The SEC West won’t be completely on the line, but Auburn will once again visit Death Valley to play LSU this weekend. On Wednesday, Fisher said of the LSU atmosphere: “it’s one of the most difficult places to play” and added “it was really, really fun to coach there.”
LSU and Auburn will kick off at 3:30 pm ET on Saturday. Here’s what else Fisher said on Wednesday:
- On Kylin Hill: He is a very good player, big, physical… very capable back. You have to know where he is at when he is on the field.
- In developing QBs, what’s most vital there? I don’t know if there is one thing. First and foremost, you have to be sound mechanically, you have to understand the offense but also the defense and understanding what you can and cannot do… you have to understand, read defenses, protections, there is a multitude of things. Recruiting a good guy helps too.
- Mississippi State’s defense: LSU is very talented and they made some plays but MSU is very multiple, good, long corners. Their scheme is very multiple… They got after LSU, held them to field goals, very talented.
Dave covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
