Gridiron Glory: A History of Southeastern Louisiana University Football
Southeastern Louisiana University's football program boasts a storied past, marked by periods of both triumph and tribulation. From its humble beginnings as an independent team to its current standing in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as a member of the Southland Conference, the Lions have woven a rich tapestry of gridiron memories. This article delves into the history of Southeastern Louisiana Lions football, exploring its formative years, conference affiliations, the program's hiatus, its triumphant return, and recent achievements.
Early Years and Conference Affiliations
The Southeastern Louisiana Lions football team first took the field in 1930, embarking on a journey that would span decades. In its early years, the program competed as a football independent, forging its own path in the collegiate landscape. As the program grew, Southeastern Louisiana joined various conferences, including the Louisiana Intercollegiate Conference, Gulf States Conference, Gulf South Conference, and Gulf Star Conference, seeking to establish itself within a competitive framework. These conference affiliations provided the Lions with opportunities to test their mettle against regional rivals and vie for conference championships.
Program Discontinuation and Reinstatement
After the 1985 season, Southeastern Louisiana faced a challenging period when its football program was discontinued. For seventeen long seasons, the roar of the Lions was silenced, leaving a void in the university's athletic landscape. However, the spirit of Southeastern Louisiana football persevered, and in 2003, the program was triumphantly reinstated as a Division I-AA team, marking a new chapter in its history.
A Triumphant Return to the Gridiron
The reinstatement of the football program in 2003 was met with great excitement and anticipation. To lead the charge, the university hired Hal Mumme, a renowned coach known for his innovative offensive strategies, as the program's 12th head coach. Mumme, who previously served as the head coach at the University of Kentucky, brought with him a wealth of experience and a vision for success. He hired Woody Widenhofer as his defensive coordinator. Upon its return, SLU decided to compete at the NCAA Division I-AA level.
In their first season back, the Lions defied expectations, finishing with a 5-7 record, which was the sixth-best record among start-up Division I programs since 1980. Freshman quarterback Martin Hankins quickly emerged as a star, shattering 46 school and/or national records and setting 21 new standards. The team's return was epitomized by a thrilling 22-17 victory over Arkansas-Monticello in their season opener, as Hankins connected with Choni Francis on a 22-yard scoring pass with just 6:49 remaining in the game. Scoring the first touchdown after 18 years cemented Lions football once again. The team followed up its successful return with a 7-4 record in 2004. The program had a big 51-17 win over #6 McNeese State and entered the Top 25 in the national I-AA rankings.
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Recent Achievements and Memorable Moments
In 2012, Ron Roberts took over as head coach for the Lions and led them to a 5-6 record. The Lions finished the season with a 5-2 record in conference play, which was the best conference record the Lions had posted in the Southland since joining in 2005. The following year, the Lions posted an 11-3 overall record. The Lions were led at quarterback by Oregon transfer Bryan Bennett. They finished with a perfect 7-0 record in conference play and earned their first-ever trip to the NCAA Division 1 playoffs. They earned a first-round bye. In the second round, the SLU faced Sam Houston State in a rematch of the regular-season game played between the two in which Southeastern won 34-21. Quarterback Bryan Bennett led a late game-winning drive to give the Lions a 30-29 thrilling victory. The Lions lost to the New Hampshire Wildcats in the quarterfinals 20-17. Bennett was first-team all-Conference in 2013.
After posting a 7-4 regular-season record in 2019 the lions earned the program's third playoff berth, hosting 10th ranked Villanova in the first round.
The Southeastern Louisiana Lions football program has produced numerous memorable moments and celebrated individual achievements. These highlights serve as a testament to the dedication, talent, and unwavering spirit that defines the program.
Recent Games Highlights
- Rittenhouse rushes, catches TDs, Illinois State defeats SE Louisiana 21-3 in FCS first round: Quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse caught and ran for touchdowns as Illinois State took down Southeastern Louisiana 21-3 in an FCS first-round playoff game.
- Henry leads Southeastern Louisiana’s ground game over Nicholls in 38-26 win: Jaedon Henry ran for 93 yards and the clinching touchdown, and Southeastern Louisiana gashed Nicholls for 260 rushing yards in a 38-26 win.
- Southeastern Louisiana puts together a strong defensive performance in 10-7 win over Incarnate Word: Carson Camp threw for 199 yards and a touchdown, and Southeastern Louisiana put together a strong defensive performance to beat Incarnate Word 10-7.
- Coleman, Bowden lead the way as Lamar moves into second place in Southland beating SE Louisiana: Robert Coleman threw for a touchdown and Major Bowden ran for a score and Lamar moved into a second-place tie in the Southland Conference with Southeastern Louisiana, beating the Lions 14-12.
- Southeastern Louisiana beats East Texas A&M 59-14 for 5th win in a row: Carson Camp threw two touchdown passes, Dkhai Joseph returned a punt 63 yards for a score and added a 32-yard touchdown reception, and Southeastern Louisiana beat East Texas A&M 59-14 for its fifth straight win.
- Hayes returns kickoff for TD for 2nd straight game, SE Louisiana stretches win streak to 4: Brandon Hayes returned the second-half kickoff for a touchdown for the second straight game, Calvin Smith Jr. rushed for two scores and Southeastern Louisiana beat Houston Christian 38-14 for the Lions' fourth consecutive win.
- Hayes' KO return, Jackson's 3 scores highlight SE Louisiana's 49-0 win over Northwestern State: Brandon Hayes returned a kickoff 83 yards for a touchdown to open the second half, Deantre Jackson scored three times and Southeastern Louisiana blanked Northwestern State 49-0.
- Jackson scores twice as SE Louisiana powers past McNeese 38-0: Deantre Jackson scored twice and Carson Camp threw a 69-yard touchdown pass as Southeastern Louisiana powered past McNeese 38-0.
- Nussmeier's four touchdowns lead No. 3 LSU to a dominant 56-10 win over Southeastern Louisiana: Garrett Nussmeier threw three touchdown passes and ran for a fourth and No. 3 LSU easily beat Southeastern Louisiana 56-10.
The Home Field Advantage: Strawberry Stadium
The Southeastern Louisiana Lions play their home games at Strawberry Stadium, a 7,408-seat stadium located in Hammond, Louisiana. Strawberry Stadium has served as the home of the Lions since its construction, providing a vibrant and energetic atmosphere for players and fans alike. The stadium has witnessed countless memorable moments, becoming a symbol of Southeastern Louisiana football and a gathering place for the university community.
Archival Treasures: Preserving the Legacy
The Southeastern Louisiana University archives hold a treasure trove of materials that document the history of the football program. These materials include official football programs dating back to the 1930s, football brochures, schedules, banquet programs, media guide booklets, and photographs. These archival materials provide invaluable insights into the program's evolution, showcasing the players, coaches, and moments that have shaped its identity.
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Archival Highlights
- Official Football Programs: A collection of programs from various years, offering a glimpse into the game day experience and team information of the past.
- Media Guide Booklets: Booklets covering various sports, including football, basketball, baseball, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track, and volleyball, providing detailed information about the teams and athletes.
- Team Photographs: Color photographs of men's and women's basketball teams from different years, capturing the faces and spirit of the athletes.
- Football Memories (VHS): A series of VHS tapes containing footage of Southeastern Louisiana University football games from the 1960s through the 1980s, preserving the action and excitement of those eras.
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