White-shelled helmets were used by LSU during the team's 1997 Independence Bowl matchup against Notre Dame. It had been reported to me that this design was also used during the October 5, 1996 game against Vanderbilt, subsequently received this contradictory report: "In 1995, new coach Gerry DiNardo petitioned the NCAA to let LSU wear its traditional white jerseys. The NCAA granted the request, but had one condition: the home team had to request permission from the visitors to wear white. Every team granted that wish in '95. In '96, Vanderbilt came to Baton Rouge, and they had been in an ugly separation with DiNardo, who was fired by Vandy in '94. To be difficult, Vanderbilt denied LSU's request, so LSU came out and wore gold jerseys with white numbers outlined in purple, and plain white pants. The headgear stayed the same"..."I am an LSU season ticket holder, and I was at both games."
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