What Is 1970 LSU Tigers football team

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1970 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University during the 1970 NCAA University Division football season, finishing with a 7–4 record under head coach Charlie McClendon. They played in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and won the Peach Bowl 33–13 against Stanford.

Key Facts

1970 LSU Tigers finished with a 7–4 overall record
Head coach Charlie McClendon led the team for the 7th season
Team played in the Southeastern Conference (SEC)
Won the 1970 Peach Bowl 33–13 over Stanford
Quarterback Bert Jones began his college career that year

Overview

The 1970 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the 1970 NCAA University Division football season. Competing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team was led by head coach Charlie McClendon, who was in his seventh season at the helm.

The Tigers finished the year with a solid 7–4 overall record, including a 4–3 mark in conference play. Their season concluded on a high note with a decisive victory in the Peach Bowl, marking a turning point for the program under McClendon’s leadership.

Season record: The team finished with a 7–4 overall record, showing improvement from previous years and demonstrating competitive strength in a challenging SEC lineup.
Head coach:Charlie McClendon was in his seventh year as head coach, bringing stability and a growing offensive identity to the LSU program during a transitional era.
Conference affiliation: LSU competed in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), facing tough opponents like Ole Miss, Alabama, and Tennessee during the regular season.
Bowl game: The Tigers won the 1970 Peach Bowl on December 31, defeating Stanford 33–13 in Atlanta, Georgia, marking their first bowl victory since 1968.
Rising star: Freshman quarterback Bert Jones began his collegiate career in 1970, later becoming a key figure in LSU’s football legacy and a first-round NFL draft pick.

Performance & Season Highlights

The 1970 season featured a mix of strong offensive performances and defensive resilience, with several games decided by narrow margins. LSU’s ability to close the season with a bowl win signaled progress under McClendon’s guidance.

Season opener: LSU defeated South Carolina 20–0 in the first game, setting a tone of defensive dominance early in the season.
SEC competition: The Tigers posted a 4–3 record in conference play, defeating teams like Mississippi State and Vanderbilt while losing close games to Alabama and Ole Miss.
Offensive growth: Under McClendon’s leadership, LSU averaged 24.5 points per game, a notable improvement from the previous season’s offensive output.
Defensive strength: The defense allowed an average of 18.3 points per game, with standout performances against Stanford in the bowl game.
Key players: In addition to Bert Jones, running back Brad Davis contributed significantly, rushing for over 500 yards during the season.
Historical context: This season laid the foundation for LSU’s 1971 Orange Bowl appearance, as momentum built from the 1970 Peach Bowl victory.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1970 LSU Tigers to adjacent seasons reveals trends in performance, coaching impact, and bowl success.

Season	Overall Record	SEC Record	Bowl Game	Head Coach
1968	7–4	4–3	No bowl	Charlie McClendon
1969	5–5	3–4	No bowl	Charlie McClendon
1970	7–4	4–3	Peach Bowl – W 33–13 vs. Stanford	Charlie McClendon
1971	8–3	5–2	Orange Bowl – L vs. Iowa	Charlie McClendon
1972	8–3	5–2	Liberty Bowl – L vs. Missouri	Charlie McClendon

The 1970 season marked a rebound from the losing 1969 campaign and set the stage for three consecutive winning seasons. The Peach Bowl victory restored LSU’s postseason credibility and highlighted the development of young talent like Bert Jones. This era reflected a gradual rise in competitiveness under McClendon, culminating in multiple bowl appearances through the early 1970s.

Why It Matters

The 1970 LSU Tigers season is significant for its role in revitalizing the program after a down year and establishing a foundation for future success. It also marked the emergence of key players and coaching strategies that influenced LSU football for years.

Program momentum: The 7–4 record and bowl win restored confidence in the LSU program after a 5–5 season in 1969.
Quarterback legacy:Bert Jones began his LSU career in 1970, later becoming a two-time All-American and influencing future quarterback development at the school.
Bowl relevance: The Peach Bowl victory ended a two-year bowl drought and re-established LSU as a postseason contender.
Coaching impact: Charlie McClendon’s long tenure was solidified during this era, with over 100 career wins eventually earned at LSU.
SEC competitiveness: The team’s 4–3 conference record showed LSU could compete with top-tier SEC programs despite limited national rankings.
Historical bridge: The 1970 season served as a bridge between eras, connecting older traditions with the modernization of LSU football in the 1970s.

Overall, the 1970 LSU Tigers season may not have ended in a national title, but it played a crucial role in sustaining program stability and setting up future achievements. Its legacy lives on in the development of star players and the continuation of LSU’s proud football tradition.