LSU took control early Saturday night and kept producing even after its reserves entered the game. The No. 11 Tigers beat McNeese 63 to 14 in Tiger Stadium, improving to 4 and 1 before returning to SEC play at Kentucky.
LSU led 35 to 0 at halftime. McNeese scored twice in the third quarter, but the Tigers answered with their own touchdowns and shut out the Cowboys in the fourth. By the end of the full game, LSU had gained 729 yards, scored nine touchdowns and recorded 38 first downs.
The game by the numbers
- Final score: LSU 63, McNeese 14.
- Total offense: LSU 729 yards; McNeese 196.
- LSU offense: 365 rushing yards and 364 passing yards.
- First downs: LSU 38; McNeese 6.
- Third downs: LSU converted 9 of 17; McNeese converted 1 of 12.
- Fourth downs: LSU converted all 3 of its attempts.
- LSU rushing leaders: Harlem Berry had 125 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries. Stacy Gage Jr. had 108 yards and two touchdowns on six carries. Both surpassed 100 rushing yards.
- Other LSU rushers: Dilin Jones had 79 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. Landen Clark had 11 yards and a touchdown on three carries. Defensive tackle Deuce Geralds scored on a 1 yard run.
- LSU quarterbacks: Sam Leavitt completed 18 of 23 passes for 176 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Clark completed 7 of 16 for 126 yards. Husan Longstreet completed 6 of 9 for 62 yards.
- LSU receiving leader: Corey Barber Jr. caught seven passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns.
- LSU defense: Tamarcus Cooley had an interception. Princewill Umanmielen, Geralds and Dominick McKinley each recorded a sack.
- Special teams: Scott Starzyk made all nine extra point attempts. Grant Chadwick averaged 43 yards on three punts, placing one inside the McNeese 20.
A first half that put LSU in charge
McNeese reached LSU territory on its opening possession, but Cooley intercepted quarterback Jake Strong to end the threat. Jones finished LSU’s ensuing drive with a 1 yard touchdown run. Leavitt then found tight end Roman Mothershed for a score, and the Tigers led 14 to 0 after one quarter.
The lead grew quickly in the second. Clark scored on a 3 yard run, and Leavitt connected with freshman Barber twice for touchdowns. Barber’s catches covered 6 and 12 yards, giving LSU a 35 to 0 halftime lead. At that point, the Tigers had outgained McNeese 347 yards to 31.
Leavitt’s three touchdown passes established the lead, while Barber gave him a reliable target. The freshman caught all seven passes thrown his way and finished as LSU’s leading receiver.
The backs and reserves kept the offense moving
Berry broke a 46 yard run before halftime and later scored from 11 yards out in the third quarter. Jones provided 79 rushing yards and the opening touchdown. Their work helped LSU control the game on the ground before Gage supplied its biggest late gains.
Gage scored on runs of 46 and 39 yards in the fourth quarter. His six carries produced 108 yards, giving LSU two rushers over 100 yards for the night. LSU finished with 365 rushing yards even as it rotated through its quarterbacks and backs.
Clark threw for 126 yards during his extended action, including completions on the third quarter drive that ended with Geralds’ 1 yard touchdown run. Longstreet added 62 passing yards and 32 rushing yards. LSU’s quarterbacks combined to complete 31 of 48 passes for 364 yards.
The defense controlled most of the night
LSU held McNeese scoreless in the first, second and fourth quarters. Cooley’s early interception created the first scoring opportunity, and the pass rush produced sacks from Umanmielen, Geralds and McKinley. McNeese punted 10 times and managed only one third down conversion.
The Cowboys did land two explosive plays in the third quarter. Jamaal Levi caught a 43 yard touchdown pass and scored again on a 64 yard run. Those two gains accounted for 107 of McNeese’s 196 total yards. LSU responded by holding the Cowboys scoreless for the rest of the game.
Geralds delivered one of the night’s most memorable individual performances. Along with his sack, the freshman defensive tackle took a snap on offense and scored from a yard out.
A complete night, with more to come
Starzyk converted all nine extra points, while Chadwick punted three times for a 43 yard average. After Gage’s second touchdown made it 63 to 14, LSU forced another McNeese punt and used the final 7:35 on one possession. The reserves moved the ball from LSU’s 2 yard line as the clock ran out.
Gage’s two long scores, Barber’s two touchdown catches and Berry’s 125 rushing yards made them LSU’s offensive standouts. Cooley set the defensive tone with his opening interception, while Geralds contributed on both sides of the ball.
LSU leaves the game with a decisive win and valuable snaps for players throughout its roster. The next test comes on the road at Kentucky.
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