Tony Moss

Caught the Eye of the Tiger

Tony Moss was the first running back in Bossier Parish high school football to crack the 3,000-yard mark in career rushing. But that and his selection to the All-State team only heralded greatness at the college level for the Bossier High School product.

Moss would go on to letter four years at Louisiana State University (1986-1989) in an outstanding collegiate career, although it was as a flanker and wide receiver. He was good enough to attract attention in the National Football League draft after his senior season in Baton Rouge.

Taking into account his build (166 pounds on a 5-foot-7 frame) and his open field elusiveness, Tiger Coach Bill Arnsbarger and his successor, Mike Archer, correctly envisioned Moss giving defensive backs in the Southeastern Conference nightmares. "We wanted to put the best athletes on the field," Archer said. "We wanted his ability to escape tacklers and make explosive plays in games.  He took to the change as a positive."

Split end Wendell Davis, a two-time All American who established an SEC record for career receiving yards, tight end Brian Kitchen, an All-SEC selection, and Moss gave LSU a formidable receiving corps in the late 1980s. Moss earned All-SEC honors on the UPI, AP and Coaches teams in 1988 and 1989. During his first three seasons at LSU, the Tigers won an SEC title (1986), shared another (1988) and posted a 10-1-1 campaign (1987). They played in the Sugar Bowl, Hall of Fame Bowl and Gator Bowl. In both his junior and senior seasons, Tony was selected as a Most Valuable Player for the Tigers.

One-hundred yard games receiving are a significant achievement in college football. In 1988 Moss had five 100-plus yard games. He had nine in his career. Tony was hottest in big games, going over the century mark against Alabama, Ole Miss, Florida State, Ohio State and Miami.

Moss caught four touchdown passes in a 1989 game against Ohio University and that ranks No. 2 in the all-time records at LSU. His total of 59 catches that year ranked No. 8 in LSU record book at the time. In 1988 and 1989, he gained 957 and 934 yards receiving respectively, good for 7th and 8th places at the time in Tiger history. In 1989 he had nine TD receptions, 6th best ever at LSU at the time.

In his career, the former Bossier Bearkat had 16 touchdown catches. His 2,196 yards receiving and 132 career receptions ranked fifth and sixth all-time for the Bengals when his college career ended. Following his senior season Moss played in the East-West Shrine All-Star game and the Chicago Bears selected him in the fourth round of the NFL draft.