Odell Beckham Jr. Recreated Billy Cannon's 89-Yard Return 53 Years Later
Updated: 3 days ago
Quick answer
Odell Beckham Jr. echoed Billy Cannon’s legendary return 53 years later when he took an Ole Miss punt 89 yards for a touchdown from LSU’s 11-yard line on November 17, 2012. Same opponent, same stadium, same starting yard line, same distance — another LSU win and one of the strangest historical echoes in Tiger Stadium history.
Some LSU football stories feel too perfect to be real. This is one of them.
In 1959, Billy Cannon fielded an Ole Miss punt at the LSU 11-yard line in Tiger Stadium and returned it 89 yards for a touchdown.
Fifty-three years later, LSU was playing Ole Miss again. In Tiger Stadium again. Odell Beckham Jr. fielded a punt at the LSU 11-yard line and returned it 89 yards for a touchdown.
Same opponent. Same stadium. Same starting yard line. Same distance. Fifty-three years apart.
The original: Billy Cannon in 1959
Cannon's Halloween Run gave No. 1 LSU the lead in a 7-3 victory over No. 3 Ole Miss and became one of the most famous plays in college football history.
November 17, 2012
LSU entered the 2012 Ole Miss game ranked No. 8. The Rebels led 35-28 in the fourth quarter and had LSU under pressure. Then they punted.
The ball came down at LSU's 11-yard line. Beckham moved left, cut back right, escaped traffic and found open field. Eighty-nine yards later, the game was tied 35-35 with 9:10 remaining.
LSU completes the comeback
The punt return changed the game but did not end it. LSU later drove for the winning score, and Jeremy Hill scored from one yard out with 15 seconds remaining. LSU won 41-35.
The symmetry is almost ridiculous
Billy Cannon: Ole Miss, Tiger Stadium, LSU 11-yard line, 89 yards, touchdown, LSU win. Odell Beckham Jr.: Ole Miss, Tiger Stadium, LSU 11-yard line, 89 yards, touchdown, LSU win.
Why the connection matters
Beckham did not replace the Halloween Run. Cannon's play came with No. 1 LSU facing No. 3 Ole Miss on Halloween during his Heisman season. But Beckham's return reminded a new generation that LSU history is not just stored in record books. Sometimes it repeats itself.
Two completely different LSU icons
Cannon represented the two-way era: runner, returner, punter and defender. Beckham represented the modern game: explosive receiver, dynamic return specialist and future NFL superstar. Different generations. Different football. Same 89 yards.
LSU history rhymes
History did not repeat perfectly. The stakes and eras were different. But it rhymed in a way that seems almost impossible: Cannon, Beckham, Ole Miss, Tiger Stadium, the LSU 11 and 89 yards.
FAQ
How long was Beckham's return against Ole Miss? 89 yards.
Where did he field it? At LSU's 11-yard line.
How many years separated the two returns? Fifty-three years.
Did LSU win the 2012 game? Yes, 41-35.
Sources: LSU Athletics official 2012 Ole Miss game recap and Billy Cannon historical materials.
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