2015 LSU Tigers football team

The 2015 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University as a member of the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by 11th-year head coach Les Miles, the Tigers finished the season with an overall record of 9–3 and mark of 5–3 in conference play, tying for third place in the SEC's Western Division. LSU was invited to the Texas Tech, where the Tigers defeated Texas Tech. The team played home games Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

2015 LSU Tigers football
Texas Bowl, W 56–27 (vacated) vs. Texas Tech
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
DivisionWestern Division
Ranking
CoachesNo. 17
APNo. 16
Record0–3, 9 wins vacated (0–3 SEC, 5 wins vacated)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorCam Cameron (3rd season)
Offensive schemeMultiple
Defensive coordinatorKevin Steele (1st season)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumTiger Stadium
Uniform
Seasons
← 2014
2016 →
2015 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Eastern Division
No. 25 Florida x   7 1     10 4  
No. 22 Tennessee   5 3     9 4  
Georgia   5 3     10 3  
Vanderbilt   2 6     4 8  
Kentucky   2 6     5 7  
Missouri*   1 7     5 7  
South Carolina   1 7     3 9  
Western Division
No. 1 Alabama x$#^   7 1     14 1  
No. 10 Ole Miss   6 2     10 3  
Arkansas   5 3     8 5  
No. 16 LSU *   5 3     9 3  
Texas A&M   4 4     8 5  
Mississippi State   4 4     9 4  
Auburn   2 6     7 6  
Championship: Alabama 29, Florida 15
  • # – College Football Playoff champion
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • * LSU and Missouri vacated all wins due to NCAA violations.
Rankings from AP Poll

In 2023, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) vacated all of LSU's wins from the 2012 through 2015 seasons due to an ineligible player.[1]

Offseason

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LSU lost only three underclassmen to the NFL in the offseason: linebacker Kwon Alexander, cornerback Jalen Collins and defensive end Danielle Hunter; this was a large decrease compared to losing 11 underclassmen in 2012 and 7 in 2013.[2] On January 16 Les Miles held a press conference announcing that six underclassmen starters would return, including leading receiver Travin Dural and star defensive back Jalen Mills, as well as offensive linemen Vadal Alexander and Jerald Hawkins, tight end Dillon Gordon, and linebacker Lamar Louis.[3]

For the third consecutive season, LSU signed a top-ten recruiting class consisting of 25 signees, highlighted by top-rated recruits Kevin Toliver II, Arden Key, Tyron Johnson, and Donte Jackson.[4] While not as acclaimed as the previous season's consensus #2 ranked class, the class was ranked #10 by ESPN, #8 by rivals.com, and #5 by 24/7 sports.

In 2023, all wins for the 2014 season were vacated by the NCAA.[5]

Players drafted

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Round Pick Player Position NFL Team
2 42 Jalen Collins Defensive back Atlanta Falcons
3 88 Danielle Hunter Defensive lineman Minnesota Vikings
4 124 Kwon Alexander Linebacker Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7 235 Kenny Hilliard Running back Houston Texans
Reference:[6]

Class of 2015 signees

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College recruiting information (2015)
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Nick Brossette
RB
Baton Rouge, Louisiana University Laboratory School 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 211 lb (96 kg) Aug 26, 2013 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
George Brown Jr.
OT
Cincinnati Winton Woods High School 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 274 lb (124 kg) Dec 6, 2014 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Jeremy Cutrer
DB
Kentwood, Louisiana Mississippi Gulf Coast Comm College 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Sep 23, 2014 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Derrick Dillon
WR
Franklinton, Louisiana Pine High School 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Feb 4, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
David Ducre
RB
Mandeville, Louisiana Lakeshore High School 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Feb 19, 2014 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Blake Ferguson
LS
Buford, Georgia Buford High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Sep 22, 2013 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Jazz Ferguson
WR
Saint Francisville, Louisiana West Feliciana High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 197 lb (89 kg) Feb 19, 2014 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Lanard Fournette
RB
New Orleans Saint Augustine High School 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 184 lb (83 kg) Jan 24, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Josh Growden
K
Australia Clare H.S. 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Feb 4, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Derrius Guice
RB
Baton Rouge, Louisiana Catholic High School 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 215 lb (98 kg) May 31, 2014 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Donte Jackson
ATH
Jefferson, Louisiana Riverdale High School 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Jan 21, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Tyron Johnson
WR
New Orleans Warren Easton High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Jan 2, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Arden Key
DE
Lithonia, Georgia Hapeville Charter High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Feb 2, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Xavier Lewis
DB
Laplace, Louisiana East Saint John High School 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 183 lb (83 kg) Jul 8, 2014 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Adrian Magee
OT
Franklinton, Louisiana Franklinton High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 310 lb (140 kg) Apr 27, 2014 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Brandon Martin
WR
Dallas, Texas Prime Prep Academy 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Feb 4, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Justin McMillan
QB
Cedar Hill, Texas Cedar Hill High School 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Jun 11, 2014 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Foster Moreau
TE
New Orleans Jesuit High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Feb 4, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Bry'Kiethon Mouton
TE
Lafayette, Louisiana Acadiana High School 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 240 lb (110 kg) Aug 1, 2014 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Hanner Shipley
DE
Marble Falls, Texas Faith Academy of Marble Falls 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 275 lb (125 kg) Jan 8, 2014 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Maea Teuhema
OG
Keller, Texas Keller High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 330 lb (150 kg) Feb 5, 2014 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Kevin Toliver II
DB
Jacksonville, Florida Trinity Christian Academy 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 193 lb (88 kg) Nov 4, 2012 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Chidi Valentine-Okeke
OT
Ludowici, Georgia Faith Baptist Christian Academy 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 305 lb (138 kg) Jan 29, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Isaiah Washington
DE
New Orleans Edna Karr High School 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 245 lb (111 kg) Feb 15, 2014 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Toby Weathersby
OG
Houston Westfield High School 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 295 lb (134 kg) Feb 4, 2015 
Star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 12   Rivals: 8  247Sports: 5  ESPN: 10
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2015 LSU Football Commitment List". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  • "Louisiana State College Football Recruiting Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  • "LSU Tigers". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  • "2015 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 5, 2015.

Coaching staff

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Name Position Seasons at
LSU
Alma mater
Les Miles Head coach 11 Michigan (1976)
Frank Wilson Running backs/Recruiting coordinator 6 Nicholls State (1997)
Bradley Dale Peveto Special teams/ Defensive Assistiant 6 Southern Methodist (1987)
Cam Cameron Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks 3 Indiana (1983)
Jeff Grimes Offensive line/Running game coordinator 2 Texas – El Paso (1991)
Kevin Steele Defensive coordinator 1 Tennessee (1979)
Steve Ensminger Tight ends 6 LSU (1982)
Corey Raymond Defensive backs 3 LSU (1992)
Ed Orgeron Defensive line 1 Northwestern State (1984)
Tony Ball Wide receivers 1 UT-Chattanooga (1983)
Reference:[7]

Depth chart

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The official opening day depth chart was released on August 31, 2015.[8]

Schedule

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DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 128:15 p.m.at No. 25 Mississippi StateNo. 14ESPNW 21–19 (vacated)62,531
September 192:30 p.m.No. 18 AuburnNo. 13
CBSW 45–21 (vacated)102,321
September 2611:00 a.m.at Syracuse*No. 8ESPNW 34–24 (vacated)43,101
October 36:00 p.m.Eastern Michigan*No. 9
  • Tiger Stadium
  • Baton Rouge, LA
ESPNUW 44–22 (vacated)102,321
October 102:30 p.m.at South CarolinaNo. 7
  • Tiger Stadium
  • Baton Rouge, LA[b]
ESPNW 45–24 (vacated)42,058
October 176:00 p.m.No. 8 FloridaNo. 6
  • Tiger Stadium
  • Baton Rouge, LA (rivalry)
ESPNW 35–28 (vacated)102,321
October 246:00 p.m.Western Kentucky* No. 5
  • Tiger Stadium
  • Baton Rouge, LA
ESPNUW 48–20 (vacated)101,561
November 77:00 p.m.at No. 4 AlabamaNo. 2CBSL 16–30101,821
November 146:15 p.m.ArkansasNo. 9
ESPNL 14–31101,699
November 212:30 p.m.at No. 22 Ole MissNo. 15CBSL 17–3860,705
November 286:30 p.m.Texas A&M
  • Tiger Stadium
  • Baton Rouge, LA (rivalry)
SECNW 19–7 (vacated)101,803
December 298:00 p.m.vs. Texas Tech*No. 20ESPNW 56–27 (vacated)71,054
^[a] The game between LSU and McNeese State was canceled due to inclement weather. The game was delayed due to lightning after 5 minutes of play during which each team held the ball for one drive and no one scored. Both schools' athletic directors decided not to reschedule the game, thus declaring it a "no contest". LSU did agree to pay McNeese State its promised fee of $500,000.
^[b] The game between LSU and South Carolina was originally scheduled to take place in Columbia, South Carolina. However, in light of massive flooding in Columbia earlier in the week, the game was moved to Baton Rouge.[9]
Schedule Source:[10]

Rankings

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Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes ( ) = First-place votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP1414138 (1)9765 (1)4 (5)4 (5)917RV232216
Coaches131514985 (1)5 (1)5 (1)4 (1)4 (1)917RV232117
CFPNot released29152120Not released

Season summary

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At Mississippi State

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No. 14 LSU Tigers at No. 25 Mississippi State Bulldogs – Game Summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 15 Tigers 14 0 7021
No. 25 Bulldogs 0 3 31319

at Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, Mississippi

  • Date: September 12, 2015
  • Game time: 9:15 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Clear Skies • Temperature: 64 °F (18 °C) • Wind: NW 5 mph
  • Game attendance: 62,531
  • Referee: Hubert Owens
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Pasch (play-by-play), Brian Griese (color) and Tom Luginbill (sideline)
Game information

Auburn

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No. 18 Auburn Tigers at No. 13 LSU Tigers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 18 Auburn Tigers 0 0 14721
No. 13 LSU Tigers 14 10 14745

at Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, Louisiana

  • Date: September 19, 2015
  • Game time: 2:39 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 91 °F (33 °C) • Wind 8 mph (13 km/h) NW • Weather: Partly Cloudy
  • Game attendance: 102,321
  • Referee: Matt Loeffler
  • TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (analyst), Allie LaForce (sideline reporter)
Game information

At Syracuse

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No. 8 LSU Tigers at Syracuse Orange – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 8 Tigers 7 0 171034
Orange 0 3 71424

at Carrier DomeSyracuse, New York

  • Date: September 26, 2015
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 43,101
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Bob Wischusen (play-by-play) and Brock Huard (analyst)
Game information

Eastern Michigan

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Eastern Michigan Eagles at No. 9 LSU Tigers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Eagles 0 14 8022
No. 9 Tigers 14 6 101444

at Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, Louisiana

Game information

South Carolina

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South Carolina Gamecocks at No. 7 LSU Tigers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Gamecocks 3 7 14024
No. 7 Tigers 7 10 21745

at Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, Louisiana

  • Date: October 10, 2015
  • Game time: 12:30 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 43,101
Game information

Florida

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No. 8 Florida Gators at No. 6 LSU Tigers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 8 Gators 7 7 14028
No. 6 Tigers 0 28 0735

at Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, Louisiana

  • Date: October 17, 2015
  • Game time: 12:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: Temperature: 74 °F (23 °C) • Wind: NNW at 6 miles per hour (9.7 km/h) • Weather: Partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 102,321
  • Referee: Matt Loeffler
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Brad Nessler (play-by-play) and Todd Blackledge (color)
Game information

Western Kentucky

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Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at No. 5 LSU Tigers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Hilltoppers 0 7 6720
No. 5 Tigers 7 7 201448

at Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, Louisiana

  • Date: October 24, 2015
  • Game time: 12:30 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 43,101
Game information

At Alabama

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No. 2 LSU Tigers at No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 2 Tigers 0 10 0616
No. 4 Crimson Tide 0 13 14330

at Bryant–Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, Alabama

  • Date: November 7, 2015
  • Game time: 7:10 p.m.
  • Game weather: Rain • Temperature: 57 °F (14 °C) • Wind: 3 mph
  • Game attendance: 101,821
  • Referee: Hubert Owens
  • TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (color) and Allie LaForce (sideline)
Game information

Arkansas

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Arkansas Razorbacks at No. 9 LSU Tigers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Razorbacks 0 0 000
No. 9 Tigers 0 0 000

at Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, LA

  • Date: November 14, 2015
  • Game time: 6:15 p.m. CT
  • Game attendance: 101,699
  • TV: ESPN
  • Source[11]
Game information

At Ole Miss

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No. 15 LSU Tigers at No. 22 Ole Miss Rebels – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 15 Tigers 0 7 10017
No. 22 Rebels 3 21 14038

at Vaught–Hemingway StadiumOxford, MS

  • Date: November 21, 2015
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m. CT
  • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 51 °F (11 °C)
  • Game attendance: 60,705
  • Referee: Ken Williamson
  • TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (color) and Allie LaForce (sideline)
Game information

Texas A&M

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Texas A&M Aggies at LSU Tigers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Aggies 7 0 007
Tigers 6 0 7619

at Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, LA

  • Date: November 28, 2015
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m. CT
  • Game attendance: 101,803
  • TV: SECN
Game information

Vs. Texas Tech (Texas Bowl)

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Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. No. 20 LSU Tigers (Texas Bowl) – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Red Raiders 6 7 7727
No. 20 Tigers 14 7 211456

at NRG StadiumHouston, TX

Game information

References

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  1. ^ Mandel, Stewart (June 22, 2023). "Vacated LSU wins leave Les Miles out of CFB Hall of Fame consideration". The Athletic. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  2. ^ Ching, David (January 22, 2015). "Smaller Draft Hit Should Help LSU in 2015". ESPN. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
  3. ^ Ivy, Joshua (January 17, 2015). "Six Starters Returning in 2015". Fansided. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
  4. ^ "LSU recruiting class". ESPN.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. 2015. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  5. ^ Alexander, Wilson (June 22, 2023). "LSU football has vacated all of its wins from 2012-15. Here's why". NOLA.com. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  6. ^ "Football – 2015 NFL Draft". National Football League. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
  7. ^ "Football – 2015 Coaches". Louisiana State University Department of Athletics. Archived from the original on April 7, 2013. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  8. ^ "LSU's Depth Chart: Week 1". 247 Sports. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  9. ^ "Football Game Moved to Baton Rouge". University of South Carolina Department of Athletics. October 7, 2015. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  10. ^ "2015 LSU Tigers Football Schedule". FB Schedules. Retrieved October 31, 2014.
  11. ^ "Arkansas vs. LSU - Game Summary - November 14, 2015 - ESPN".