Southeastern Louisiana Lions Football: A Legacy Forged in Louisiana
Southeastern Louisiana University boasts a storied football program with a rich history in the state of Louisiana. The team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and are members of the Southland Conference, showcasing their talent and determination on a regional and national stage. From its humble beginnings to its modern resurgence, Southeastern Louisiana football has woven itself into the fabric of the university and the surrounding community.
Early Years and Program Inception
Southeastern Louisiana's football journey commenced in 1930, marking the birth of a program that would experience periods of both triumph and tribulation. The early years laid the foundation for a footballing tradition that would capture the hearts of fans and athletes alike.
Home Field Advantage: Strawberry Stadium
The Lions proudly play their home games at Strawberry Stadium, a venue that can hold 7,408 spectators. Located in Hammond, Louisiana, Strawberry Stadium provides a vibrant and intimate setting for fans to cheer on their team.
The Hiatus and a Triumphant Return
After an 18-year absence, the Southeastern Louisiana football program was revived in 2003, ushering in a new era of excitement and promise. This resurgence marked a significant moment in the university's athletic history, reigniting the passion for football within the campus community.
Hal Mumme Era: A New Beginning
When the program was restarted again in 2003, after an 18-year hiatus, Hal Mumme, formerly the head coach at the University of Kentucky, was hired as head coach. Mumme became the 12th head coach in program history and he hired Woody Widenhofer as his defensive coordinator. Upon its return, SLU decided to compete at the NCAA Division I-AA level. The team finished with a 5-7 record, the sixth-best record among start-up Division I programs since 1980. Forty-six school and/or national records were broken with freshman quarterback Martin Hankins setting 21 new standards. Before a packed house on a rainy night, Southeastern opened its first season in 18 years rallying to defeat Arkansas-Monticello, 22-17, as Hankins hit Choni Francis on a 22-yard scoring pass with 6:49 remaining in the game. Scoring the first touchdown after 18 years cemented Lions football once again. The team finished its first season 5-7 and posted a 7-4 mark 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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Ron Roberts Era: Ascending to New Heights
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.
Playoff Appearances
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.
Tradition and Rivalries
Throughout its history, Southeastern Louisiana has engaged in spirited rivalries with other universities, adding an extra layer of excitement and intensity to their matchups. These rivalries, often steeped in tradition, contribute to the unique atmosphere surrounding college football in the state of Louisiana. One such game was the "Burley Bowl Tilt". In November 1946 Southeastern won the game.
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