The LSU Tigers will be headed to the 2023 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl where they will face Big 10 opponent the Purdue Boilermakers.  It will mark LSU’s 6th overall appearance and the 5th since 2004, while Purdue will be making their 3rd Citrus Bowl appearance since 2003. 

Although LSU will be tied for the most appearances by a team in the Bowl’s history, the Tigers have not had much luck at the Citrus Bowl.  Since winning their first appearance in 1979 over Wake Forest 34-10, LSU has lost 3 of their last 4 appearances – 2004 loss to Iowa 25-30, 2009 loss to Penn State 17-19, 2016 win over Louisville 29-9, and loss to Notre Dame 17-21.  

The last 3 matchups for LSU have also been storied as well.  In 2009 LSU faced Joe Paterno led Penn State Nittany Lions in what became known as The Mud Bowl and the last time the Bowl game would be played on natural grass.  Heavy rains caused flooding and very poor field conditions inevitably ushering in for the change to synthetic turf.  The 2016 Citrus Bowl featured LSU against Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson.  In their last appearance in 2017, LSU face Notre Dame who, at the time, was coached by their current head coach Brian Kelly.  

Definitely a win here is really important to everybody.

Brian Kelly, LSU Head Coach

Purdue has not faired much better going 0-2 in the Citrus Bowl appearances and will be looking to make a mark in the win column for the first time.  The Boilermakers lost in 2014 to Maryland 7-24 and came up short to Georgia 27-34 in 2003.

The 2023 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl is set to kick off at 1 p.m. ET on Monday, Jan. 2 at Camping World Stadium and will be televised live on ABC.

Photo credit: (cover)Brianna Russell/FAAZ Sports; (gallery)Sean Russell & Brianna Russell/FAAZ Sports