In the 1978 win over #1 Kentucky all 5 LSU starters had fouled out and the reserves were the ones who pulled off the upset in overtime. In 1958 and until much later the polls awarded the National Championship after the regular season and before the bowl games were played. LSU was already the National Champ under the setup at the time even if they had lost to Clemson in the Sugar Bowl.
For some reason a lot of Tiger fans think Cannon's punt return was during the 1958 National Championship season. If he had done it in 58 I would have voted it over Morris' homer since it would have clinched the title if it had preserved the winning streak in 58. LSU beat Ole Miss 14-7 in the 58 championship year. After Cannon's return in 59 the Tigers were trailing Tennesse 14-7 in Knoxville when they scored a touchdown late in the game. LSU was ranked # 1 at the time and they went for the 2 point conversion. Cannon was ruled down before he crossed the goal line on the 2 point attempt but later replays showed that he had broken the plane of the goal line. But for that one play LSU would have won consecutive national championships.
Red, you know there are some great moments in LSU history when winning our only national championship comes in 10th. It is a great list.
