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Home , 1978 Gator Bowl, 1996 Peach Bowl, 2012 Orange Bowl, 2018 Sugar Bowl, Adrian Magee, Billy Cannon

14/B4/LSU

B4 AMERICAN PRESS MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 2020 CFP Championship Game LSU vs. Clemson • 7 p.m. • ESPN •

THE COACHES LSU-CLEMSON BY THE NUMBERS MEET THE SCHOOLS Feet below sea level of the real Death Valley in . -282 Both LSU and Clemson claim the name Death Valley for their stadiums, but both will have to sink to new levels to own it. Baton Rouge is 56 feet above sea level, Clemson, S.C., is at 725 feet.

Number of times the No. 1 seed in the Playoff 0 (which LSU is) has gone on to win the national championship in the previous five years since the CFP began. Clemson is the No. 3 seed, which has also never won. The No. 2 seed has won three times, the No. 4 seed twice. Tillman Hall Ed Orgeron Dabo Swinney National ranking of LSU’s offense both in points per game (47.6) Clemson LSU and yards per game (560.8). It’s also the national ranking of Clem- Age 58 50 1 Location Clemson, S.C. Baton Rouge son’s defense in points allowed (11.3 ppg). Clemson is second in yards (middle of nowhere) (middle of a traffic jam) allowed (264.7). Hometown Unknown swamp Mayberry Founded 1889 1860 Number of previous national championships won by both LSU and No, for real, where? LaRose Birmingham, Ala. Clemson. LSU’s came in the 1958, 2003 and 2007 seasons. Clem- 3 Founded by Endowment from The lowest bidder (same thing) son’s came in the 1981, 2016 and 2018 seasons. Thomas Green Clemson (probably gov’s nephew) Looks like Mean guard in Grown-up Clemson’s record against the SEC during its 29-game win- Southern prison Opie 5-0 ning streak. It includes two wins over South Carolina and Enrollment 25,822 30,987 movie Texas A&M, with one over Alabama (in last year’s national championship game). Overall, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney is 18-9 vs. the SEC. Students expected 8 Cancelled classes Alma Mater Northwestern St. Alabama on Tuesday Number of wins over top 10 teams for LSU this season at the time Playing experience Played DL (1981-83) Lettered 1990-92 6 of the game. All but one finished the regular season in the top 10. Nickname Lil’ old Clemson Ol’ War Skul Clemson has played and beaten just one, Ohio State in the CFP semifinal. Schools coached at 11 (plus the Saints) Two Ed Orgeron has won 10 of his last 11 against top 10 teams and is 11-3 Original name Clemson State Seminary overall at LSU. Agricultural College of Learning & Nickname BéBé Dabo is not enough? of South Carolina Military Academy Number of games this season where LSU scored 40 or more Accent Cajun gravel Deep South 11 points, breaking the school record of nine in 2011. It ties Ala- Oddest Major Center for Automotive English bama’s team last year for the most 40-point games in SEC history. Research (probably Mentor NASCAR-related) Seahwaks, ex-USC Ex-Alabama Times in the last 14 years that an SEC school has played for the 13 national championship spanning both the BCS and College Don’t talk about … School was modeled First school prez quit Got current job Went 6-2 as interim Went 4-3 as interim Football Playoff format. It includes two SEC vs. SEC matchups — LSU- after Miss. State to go burn down HC in 2016 after HC in 2008 after Alabama in the BCS after the 2011 season and -Alabama in the (minus cowbells) most of Georgia fired Tommy Bowden fired CFP finals after the 2017 season. This will be LSU’s third appearance in the span (2007, 2011, 2019). The Tigers’ 2003 BCS championship was followed School logo Tiger Paw Tiger Bait Previous 10-25 in three None by a two-year drought for the SEC. experience years at Ole Miss Started football 1896 1892 Number of LSU players who will be wearing the SEC graduate Reaction to his hiring What? Really? Who? 14 patch since they’ve already graduated — , Connoe All-time record 738-452-44 781-402-47 (Chuckling) Culp, , , , , Blake Ferguson , , , Ste- Bowl record 25-20 27-23-1 Who’s laughing now? Nobody Him phen Sullivan, Ray Thornton, Bradara Traore, . Mascot Tigers Tigers Catch phrase “Ya ya ya ya ya “We get no Number of different states represented on LSU’s roster, includ- ... football” respect” 17 ing walk-ons. There are 57 from Louisiana, followed by Memorial Stadium Tiger Stadium with 14 and Alabama with 7. Clemson is represented by 18 states, plus 81,500 102,321 Backup phrase “Hold that Ti-gah!” “We get no one foreign country as linebacker Ruke Orhorhoro is from Lagos, Nigeria. respect” Stadium Nickname Death Valley Death Valley Number of receptions for both LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase Overall record 55-36 130-30 18 and . The two currently share the SEC and Claim to First to claim it September temps school season record after Jefferson had four in the win against Okla- “Death Valley” (or so they claim) rival real Death Valley LSU/Clemson record 39-9 Same homa. ’s also had 18 in the 1996 season. Entrance tradition Touch Howard’s Rock Touch “Win” bar National championships “We coming!” Two Number of previous times LSU has played in the Mercedes- of the team (It came from the (It came from old 19 Benz Superdome in New Orleans. The Tigers are 14-5 in their real Death Valley) Tiger Stadium goal posts) Dome away from home, most recently a 27-0 win over BYU to open the May never live down Lost to Troy Lost to S. Carolina 2017 season. That game that was scheduled for Houston but moved due 2017 5 straight years National 3 3 to heavy flooding. The Tigers have won 10 of their last 11 in the Superdo- championships 1981, 2016, 2018 1958, 2003, 2007 me. Clemson has played in the Superdome only once, losing to Alabama Scooter Hobbs 24-6 in the 2017 CFP semifinals. Heisman Trophies Zero Two But namesake John , 1959 Consecutive years that LSU has been to a , the fourth-longest streak in the country, trailing Virginia Tech (27), Heisman coached Joe Burrow, 2019 ‘People that made 20 there from 1900-1903 LSU Georgia (24) and Oklahoma (21). Continued from B1 fun of my accent Number of different LSU players who have caught a pass this Defining moment Ohio State coach Billy Cannon season, including Joe Burrow, who caught one he threw that punched ran back heritage are essential pieces before, I thank them. 20 Clemson LB; got him fired a of Orgeron’s soul. To lead was batted back at him before he snagged it and gained 16 yards in the SEC championship game. LSU to the pinnacle of the That gave me inter- Locker room bling A sliding board down Individual, futuristic sport right here in New Or- nal motivation to do Consecutive quarters in which LSU has not trailed. It dates back to the putting green fold-down beds leans is the kind of storybook 25 to the third quarter of the Auburn game on Oct. 26. The Tigers (yes, a putting green) for each player script that Orgeron couldn’t better ... .’ have trailed only five times all season and each time scored on their next have dreamt up during his possession to retake the lead. Fundraising arm IPTAY TAF year off from coaching in I Pay Ten A Year Take All Funds 2014. Ed Orgeron ’s record as a starter at Orgeron has turned his LSU head coach 25-0 Clemson since he took over the job in the fifth game of Biggest Fan The Fridge The Shaq Daddy career around by staying in the 2018 season. Lawrence was 52-2 as a four-year starter at Lawrencev- the moment and never mak- both its 30th consecutive ille (Ga.) High School. Best golfer Lucas Glover David Toms ing it about himself, but what victory and its third national Season record 14-0 (8-0 ACC) 14-0 (8-0 SEC) an oh-so-sweet moment that championship in four years Consecutive wins by Clemson, which dates back to the CFP would be for the 58-year-old under Swinney. With a win, 29 semifinals after the 2017 season, a 24-6 loss to Alabama. It marks the second consecutive season that LSU has finished against the Wins over top 10 teams 1 (Ohio State) 6 (if you count Texas) football lifer. Clemson would become the team with the nation’s longest winning streak. Last year it was Central “I’m excited to be at LSU at first team this century to go Florida’s 25-game winning streak, which the Tigers broke. 2019 Double-digit wins 12 11 home where we’re proud of undefeated while winning our Cajun heritage,” Orgeron back-to-back titles. said. “We’re proud to be from Number of previous LSU games where ESPN’s Game Day was Common opponent Clemson 24 LSU 50 That’s a any on site, as it will be today. LSU is 20-12 in previous games with Texas A&M 10 Texas A&M 7 Louisiana. I just feel at home way you slice it. Clemson’s 32 here. People that made fun the show there. It will be the fifth time this season as the who was also on prodigious accomplishments hand for the Texas, Florida, Alabama and Georgia games. It’s Clemson’s of my accent before, I thank Can’t explain North Carolina was Ole Miss scored 38 points during this run rank up there 23rd game with Game Days. Clemson is 15-7 in previous games. a 2-point conversion with 614 yards them. That gave me internal with some of the hallowed motivation to do better, so I away from the upset of offense teams in football history. Number of points LSU scored in the first half against Oklahoma Scooter Hobbs thank them.” Swinney wants his team to 49 in the semifinals, which tied the all-time record None of that is to suggest embrace their chance at his- for the most points in a half of any bowl game. Also, it’s the number that anything will come easy tory without losing sight of of points Clemson allowed to West Virginia in the first half of the 2012 tonight. The opposing group the task at hand. , which is the record the Tigers tied. CLEMSON BOWL HISTORY of Tigers haven’t lost since “Certainly we reinforce Jan. 1, 2018, and Clemson from time to time what Number of quarters out of 56 in which LSU has scored this sea- Record 1999 Peach Bowl quarterback Trevor Law- their opportunity is, but it’s 53 son. One was the fourth quarter of the Mississippi State game, 25-20 Mississippi St. 17, Clemson 7 rence hasn’t finished second not like we’re giving them which was well in hand. The others were the first quarter of the Auburn 1940 2001 in a game since he was a anything they don’t know,” game and the third quarter of the Alabama game. Clemson has scored in Clemson 6, Boston College 3 Virginia Tech 41, Clemson 20 all but five quarters this season. 1949 Gator Bowl 2001 Humanitarian Bowl senior in high school. Swinney said. “They know. Clemson 24, Missouri 23 Clemson 49, Louisiana Tech 24 For all of Swinney’s bel- They’re very well aware of Number of TD passes thrown by LSU’s Joe Burrow this season, 1951 Orange Bowl 2002 Tangerine Bowl lyaching about a perceived what they’ve been able to lack of respect for Clemson 55 breaking the SEC record of 44 set by Missouri’s last year and Clemson 15, 14 Texas Tech 55, Clemson 15 achieve. And listen, regard- almost doubling the LSU record of 29. He would need three to tie the 1952 Gator Bowl 2004 Peach Bowl nationally, his program has less of what happens in the Miami 14, Clemson 0 Clemson 27, Tennessee 14 undoubtedly become the NCAA record set by Hawaii’s in 2006. Burrow has thrown 23 game tomorrow night, it’s TD passes of 20 yards or more, which also leads the nation. 1957 Orange Bowl 2005 Champs Sports Bowl preeminent force in college really been a historic run.” Colorado 27, Clemson 21 Clemson 19, Colorado 10 football — arguably even One way or the other, Number of LSU’s 85 touchdown drives this season that took 1959 Sugar Bowl 2006 more so than Alabama. LSU 7, Clemson 0 Kentucky 28, Clemson 20 history will be made in New 67 three minutes or less. Clemson is playing for Orleans on tonight. 1959 Bluebonnet Bowl 2007 Chick-fil-A Bowl Clemson 23, TCU 7 Auburn 23, Clemson 20, O Number of points it took to beat LSU the last time the Tigers 1977 Gator Bowl 2009 Gator Bowl 74 lost a game. It also took seven overtimes and several controver- Pittsburgh 34, Clemson 3 Nebraska 26, Clemson 21 sial plays for Texas A&M to win 74-72 in the final regular season game of 2009 Music City Bowl 2018. Clemson 17, Ohio St. 15 Clemson 21, Kentucky 13 1979 Peach Bowl 2010 Meineke Bowl Completion percentage of Joe Burrow, which is on pace Baylor 24, Clemson 18 South Florida 31, Clemson 26 77.6 to break the NCAA single-season record of 76.7 set by Colt 1982 Orange Bowl McCoy of Texas in 2008. Fun fact: his percentage under pressure is even Clemson 22, Nebraska 15 West Virginia 70, Clemson 33 higher, 78.8 percent. 1985 2012 Chick-fil-A Bowl Minnesota 20, Clemson 13 Clemson 25, LSU 24 Number of plays Clemson ran against LSU the last time they 1986 Gator Bowl 2014 Orange Bowl on an amazing 100 played, in the 2012 Peach Bowl in . In fact, Clemson’s Clemson 27, Stanford 21 Clemson 40, Ohio St. 35 100th play was a 37-yard field to win 25-24 as time expired for its only 1988 2014 Russell Athletic Bowl lead of the game. LSU controlled most of the game, but its defense wore Clemson 35, Penn State 10 Clemson 40, Oklahoma 6 FOOTBALL down in the fourth quarter as Clemson’s up-tempo style scored the final 1989 Citrus Bowl 2015 Orange Bowl CFP Semifinals 12 points of the game. Clemson 13, Oklahoma 6 Clemson 37, Oklahoma 17 season this year! 1989 Gator Bowl 2016 CFP National Championship Clemson 27, West Virginia 7 Alabama 45, Clemson 40 Plays of 20 yards or more this season by LSU — 21 rushing 1991 Hall of Fame Bowl 2016 CFP Semifinal 102 plays and 81 passing plays. LSU has 21 pass plays and four Clemson 30, Illinois 0 Clemson 31, Ohio St. 0 runs of over 40 yards. Clemson has 94 plays of 20 or more yards, 22 of 1992 Citrus Bowl 2017 CFP National Championship more 40 or more. California 37, Clemson 13 Clemson 35, Alabama 31 1993 Peach Bowl CFP Semifinal Miles, as the crow flies, from Clemson to Baton Rouge. If Clemson 14, Kentucky 13 Alabama 24, Clemson 6 560 you had to drive it, it would be 650 miles. 1996 Gator Bowl 2018 Cotton Bowl CFP Semifinal Syracuse 41, Clemson 0 Clemson 30, Notre Dame 3 Total yards of offense for LSU this season, which 2019 CFP National Championship 7,898 shattered the school record of 6,175 set by the 2007 LSU 10, Clemson 7 Clemson 44, Alabama 16 national championship team. 1998 Peach Bowl 2019 Fiesta Bowl CFP Semifinal Scooter Hobbs Auburn 21, Clemson 17 Clemson 29, Ohio State 26 01077588