👻 Halloween Miracle: Billy Cannon’s Run and the Goal Line Stand That Beat Ole Miss in 1959

October 31, 1959, brought more than just trick-or-treaters; it delivered one of the most legendary finishes in college football history. On that Halloween night, the No. 1 LSU Tigers hosted the No. 3 Ole Miss Rebels in a game that cemented LSU running back and future Heisman Trophy winner Billy Cannon as a legend.

The contest was a defensive slugfest, heading into the fourth quarter tied 3-3. But what most remember from this game isn’t the final score (LSU 7, Ole Miss 3), but Cannon’s electrifying 89-yard punt return. With the clock winding down, Ole Miss punted to Cannon. LSU head coach Paul Dietzel had specifically instructed Cannon not to field the ball, but Cannon ignored the sideline. He caught the punt at the 11-yard line, broke seven tackles, and raced down the sideline in front of the Rebels’ bench for a spectacular touchdown.

The unforgettable play was immortalized by the frantic radio call of LSU announcer J.C. Politz, turning a monumental athletic feat into an enduring piece of sports lore.

The Forgotten Goal Line Stand

While Cannon’s run provided the lead, the victory was secured by a dramatic, often forgotten, goal-line stand.

After Cannon’s score, the Rebels mounted a final, desperate drive. They methodically moved the ball down to the LSU one-yard line. On the game’s final play, fourth-and-goal, Ole Miss quarterback Doug Elmore tried to run the ball left. The legendary play ended not with a cannon blast, but with a thunderous stop. Cannon, playing defense, joined linebacker Warren Raab to halt Elmore just short of the goal line as time expired.

The 7-3 victory preserved LSU’s perfect season and No. 1 ranking, but more importantly, it captured the raw intensity of the rivalry. The 89-yard run gave the Tigers the lead, but the goal-line stand sealed the Halloween miracle.