What Is 1904 LSU Tigers football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1904 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University during the 1904 college football season, finishing with a 3–2 record under head coach W. S. Borland. It was the program’s 12th season and featured games against regional opponents like Tulane and Southwestern Louisiana.

Key Facts

1904 LSU Tigers finished with a 3–2 overall record
W. S. Borland was head coach during the 1904 season
Team played five games, including a win over Tulane
LSU’s 1904 season included a 23–0 victory against Southwestern Louisiana
No national ranking or conference affiliation existed at the time

Overview

The 1904 LSU Tigers football team marked Louisiana State University’s 12th season fielding a football program. Competing in the early era of college football, the team operated before the formation of major conferences and national rankings, playing a short, regional schedule.

This season occurred during a formative period for LSU athletics, when intercollegiate football was still developing in structure and popularity across the South. The team was led by head coach W. S. Borland, who guided the Tigers through a five-game season with mixed results.

Season Record: The 1904 LSU Tigers finished with a 3–2 overall win-loss record, reflecting moderate success in a limited schedule.
Head Coach: W. S. Borland served as head coach, continuing LSU’s tradition of student-coaches and faculty-led athletic programs during this era.
Key Victory: LSU defeated Tulane 11–0 in 1904, maintaining dominance in the early years of the rivalry before it became more competitive.
Season Opener: The Tigers began the season with a 23–0 win over Southwestern Louisiana, showcasing offensive strength in their first game.
Final Game: The season concluded with a loss to Mississippi College, ending LSU’s campaign on a disappointing note.

Season Structure and Performance

The 1904 season followed the typical early 20th-century model, with a short schedule focused on regional opponents and minimal travel. Games were often arranged on short notice, and teams lacked standardized rules or national oversight.

Game Count: The team played five total games, a typical number for Southern programs in the pre-modern football era.
Scoring Output: LSU scored a total of 47 points across the season, averaging nearly 9.4 points per game.
Defensive Performance: The defense allowed 25 points, with two shutout victories highlighting their strong defensive efforts.
Home Field: Games were played at State Field in Baton Rouge, LSU’s primary venue before the construction of Tiger Stadium.
Rivalry Context: The win over Tulane extended LSU’s early dominance in the series, which began in 1893 and was one of the South’s oldest rivalries.
Player Roles: Players often played both offense and defense, with minimal substitutions and no specialized coaching staff.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1904 LSU Tigers to other seasons highlights its place in the program’s developmental timeline:

Season	Record	Head Coach	Key Opponent	Notable Result
1904	3–2	W. S. Borland	Tulane	11–0 win
1903	4–3	W. W. McCarty	Tulane	12–0 win
1905	4–2	W. S. Borland	Mississippi A&M	17–0 win
1900	3–3	F. M. Long	Tulane	Lost 17–0
1911	8–1	Pat Dwyer	Tulane	14–6 win

The 1904 season fits within a transitional phase for LSU football, where records were inconsistent and coaching tenures were brief. Compared to surrounding years, 1904 was slightly below average in wins but maintained competitiveness against regional rivals. The program had not yet achieved national prominence, but annual games against Tulane and other Southern schools helped build foundational traditions.

Why It Matters

The 1904 season contributes to the historical fabric of LSU’s football legacy, illustrating the evolution of the sport at the university. Though not a standout year in terms of wins, it reflects the challenges and norms of early 20th-century college athletics.

Historical Continuity: The 1904 season is part of LSU’s unbroken football history dating back to 1893, making it one of the oldest programs in the South.
Coaching Legacy: W. S. Borland’s tenure, though brief, contributed to the lineage of LSU coaches that eventually led to national prominence.
Rivalry Development: The victory over Tulane in 1904 helped solidify one of college football’s enduring regional rivalries.
Pre-Modern Football: The season exemplifies how college football operated before standardized rules, scholarships, and media coverage.
Player Experience: Athletes in 1904 were amateurs with no athletic scholarships, balancing sports with academic and work responsibilities.
Institutional Growth: The continued support of football at LSU in 1904 signaled the sport’s growing importance to campus identity and student life.

While the 1904 LSU Tigers did not achieve national recognition, their season remains a piece of the broader narrative of Southern college football’s development. As LSU evolved into a national powerhouse, seasons like 1904 serve as reminders of the program’s humble, formative beginnings.