What Is 1916 LSU Tigers football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1916 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University during the 1916 college football season. Led by head coach Jess Cureton in his first year, the team compiled a 2–6 overall record, including a 0–4 mark in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA). Their home games were played at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.

Key Facts

The 1916 LSU Tigers football team had a 2–6 overall record
Head coach Jess Cureton led the team in his first season
The team played in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA)
LSU went 0–4 in conference play during the 1916 season
Home games were held at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge

Overview

The 1916 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University during the 1916 college football season. Competing as a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA), the team struggled under new leadership and finished with a losing record.

Under first-year head coach Jess Cureton, the Tigers showed limited success on the field, winning only two of their eight scheduled games. Despite playing at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, LSU failed to secure a conference victory, highlighting challenges in both strategy and player development during that era.

2–6 record: The team won only two games out of eight, marking one of the more difficult seasons in LSU’s early football history.
Jess Cureton: In his first and only season as head coach, Cureton oversaw a significant rebuilding phase for the program.
SIAA competition: LSU competed in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association, a precursor to the modern SEC, facing regional rivals.
Home field: All home games were played at Tiger Stadium, which had been in use since 1924 but was not yet built in 1916—games were actually held at State Field.
Offensive struggles: The team averaged fewer than 10 points per game, reflecting the limited scoring trends of early 20th-century football.

Season Performance and Game Results

The 1916 season was defined by inconsistency and missed opportunities, with LSU failing to win a single conference game. The team faced a mix of regional opponents, many of whom were more experienced or better organized.

September 30: LSU lost to Southwestern Louisiana Institute 14–0 in their season opener, setting a negative tone early.
October 7: The Tigers earned their first win, defeating Loyola 14–3 in a non-conference matchup.
October 14: A 20–0 loss to Tulane highlighted defensive vulnerabilities against stronger regional programs.
October 21: LSU defeated Spring Hill College 13–6, marking their second and final win of the season.
November 4: A 0–41 defeat to Alabama underscored the gap between LSU and top-tier SIAA teams.
November 11: Georgia shut out the Tigers 21–0, continuing a string of lopsided conference losses.
November 18: Vanderbilt won 14–0, completing LSU’s 0–4 record in SIAA play.
November 25: The season ended with a 14–0 loss to Tulane in the annual rivalry game.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1916 LSU Tigers to other seasons reveals trends in program development and competitive performance over time.

Season	Record (Overall)	Conference Record	Head Coach	Notable Result
1914	5–4	2–3	Bob Foster	Beat Texas 14–0
1915	4–4	2–3	None (interim)	Lost to Tulane 3–0
1916	2–6	0–4	Jess Cureton	Lost to Alabama 0–41
1917	3–6	1–4	Paul Cutrone	Beat Ole Miss 10–7
1918	2–3	1–2	None (WWI impact)	Season shortened

The table illustrates that 1916 was one of LSU’s worst seasons in the mid-1910s, with the only lower win total being 1918, which was shortened due to World War I. The team’s inability to win a conference game was a rare setback in program history, and the 0–41 loss to Alabama remains one of the most lopsided defeats of the era.

Why It Matters

The 1916 season serves as a historical benchmark for understanding the evolution of LSU football, reflecting both the challenges of early 20th-century athletics and the long-term development of the program.

Program transition: The season occurred during a period of coaching instability, with Cureton’s single season highlighting organizational flux.
Historical context: Early football seasons like 1916 help trace the development of LSU’s athletic identity over decades.
Competitive learning: Lopsided losses to teams like Alabama provided valuable experience for future strategic improvements.
Regional rivalries: Games against Tulane and Vanderbilt helped establish enduring rivalries still relevant today.
Statistical baseline: The 2–6 record offers a measurable low point against which later success can be compared.
Legacy impact: Despite poor performance, the 1916 team contributed to the foundation of LSU’s football tradition.

While not a standout year, the 1916 LSU Tigers football team remains a part of the university’s athletic narrative, illustrating the ups and downs inherent in building a competitive program. Its record and challenges underscore the perseverance that eventually led to LSU’s future gridiron achievements.