1958 LSU Tigers football team

The 1958 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University during the 1958 college football season. Under head coach Paul Dietzel, the Tigers cruised to an undefeated season capped by a win over Clemson in the Sugar Bowl. LSU was named the national champion in both the AP Poll and the Coaches' Poll prior to their 7-0 Sugar Bowl victory over Clemson. It was the first recognized national championship for LSU in the poll era.

The LSU team was led by Billy Cannon, who won the Heisman Trophy the following season. The team is also remembered for its unique defensive scheme, of which the "Chinese Bandits" were a part.

Roster
LSU coach Paul Dietzel split his team into three groups to minimize fatigue.

White Team consisted of Billy Hendrix, Lynn LeBlanc, Larry Kahlden, Max Fugler, Ed McCreedy, Bo Strange, Mickey Mangham, Warren Rabb, Billy Cannon, Johnny Robinson, and Red Brodnax.

Go Team consisted of Scott McClain, Dave McCarty, Al Dampier, Bobby Greenwood, Mike Stupka, Jack Frayer,Don Norwood, Durel Matherne,Don Purvis,Donnie Daye, Tommy Davis

Chinese Bandits consisted of Andy Bourgeois, Carroll Bergeron, Mel Branch, Emile Fournet, John Langan, Tommy Lott, Duane Leopard, Gaynell Kinchen,Darryl Jenkins, Henry Lee Roberts, Hart Bourque, Merle Schexnaildre

The Squad consisted of Fred Blankenship, Jim Bond, Ed Charbonnet, Fred Davidson, Joe Dosher, John Dunham, Gerald Frey, Jimmy Gibbons, Herb Lacassagne, Ken McMichael, Tom Neck, George O'neal, Al Ott, Mickey Pannebaker, David Parish, Bob Richards, Gus Riess, Charles Tarter, Elton Upshaw, Ken Wittman

Shared National Championship with Iowa
The University of Iowa was awarded the Grantland Rice trophy in 1958 by the relatively new Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) after finishing 8-1-1. The FWAA judged Iowa to be the 1958 National Champions. Both the AP and UPI (Coaches) polls named undefeated LSU the 1958 National Champions. Out of 16 total selectors in 1958, LSU won 15, including the AP and UPI, while Iowa won 1. The AP/UPI voting took place before the bowl games were played. Iowa's victory in the Rose Bowl was deemed to be more impressive by the FWAA. At the end of the season, LSU had beaten two teams ranked in the final AP voting (#11 Ole Miss and #14 Florida). At the end of Iowa's season, they had beaten #6 Air Force, #7 Wisconsin, #10 TCU, #16 California, #17 Notre Dame and their only loss was to #8 Ohio State. This contributed to the controversy regarding which team deserved the national championship.