 This formation favored the running game, and it was the first major change in LSU's offense since 1944.Dietzel then named the young defense the "Chinese Bandits", after characters from a "Terry and the Pirates" comic strip, hoping an identity would instill pride and confidence in what would ordinarily have been substitute players.LSU opened the season on September 20 with a 26–6 upset win over the defending SWC champion Rice Owls in Rice Stadium.