LSU needed a response. The Tigers delivered something much stronger.
No. 22 LSU dominated No. 16 Mississippi State from the opening possession Saturday, rolling to a 31 to 0 victory inside Tiger Stadium. The Tigers controlled the football, converted critical downs and finished the afternoon with their most impressive defensive performance of the season.
The victory improved LSU to 5 and 2 overall and 2 and 2 in Southeastern Conference play. Mississippi State fell to 4 and 2 overall and 2 and 2 in the conference.
After a difficult loss at Kentucky, LSU did not simply return to the win column. The Tigers dismantled a ranked conference opponent.
LSU Started Fast
Slow starts had been a recurring problem for LSU, but the Tigers eliminated that concern immediately.
Sam Leavitt completed a 10 yard touchdown pass to Eugene Wilson III on LSU’s opening possession. It was Wilson’s first touchdown as a Tiger and gave LSU an early 7 to 0 advantage.
The defense quickly returned the football to the offense. Safety Ty Benefield intercepted Mississippi State quarterback Parker Puckett at the LSU 15 yard line, ending the Bulldogs’ first serious scoring opportunity.
Leavitt then found Jackson Harris for a 27 yard touchdown, extending the lead to 14 to 0 before the first quarter ended.
LSU continued applying pressure in the second quarter. Harris caught his second touchdown of the afternoon on a 17 yard pass from Leavitt, sending the Tigers into halftime with a commanding 21 to 0 lead.
Sam Leavitt Was in Complete Control
Leavitt delivered one of the finest performances of his LSU career.
The LSU quarterback completed 31 of 38 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns. He completed better than 81 percent of his attempts and did not throw an interception.
Leavitt distributed the football to nine different receivers. He consistently found the open option, took what the defense allowed and avoided the costly mistakes that had hurt LSU in previous games.
Jackson Harris led the receiving corps with six receptions for 85 yards and two touchdowns. Harris scored from 27 and 17 yards, becoming LSU’s most dangerous target near the scoring area.
Wilson caught three passes for 32 yards and a touchdown. Malik Elzy added two receptions for 20 yards, including a six yard touchdown late in the third quarter.
Winston Watkins Jr. contributed four catches for 31 yards, while tight end Zach Grace caught two passes for 21 yards.
Dilin Jones Did Everything LSU Needed
Dilin Jones did not reach 100 rushing yards, but his impact extended far beyond the traditional rushing column.
Jones carried the ball 18 times for 85 yards, averaging 4.7 yards per attempt. He also caught eight passes for 58 yards.
That gave Jones 143 yards from scrimmage on 26 touches.
Jones helped LSU stay ahead of the chains and gave Leavitt a reliable target whenever Mississippi State attempted to create pressure. His ability to contribute as both a runner and receiver allowed LSU to sustain long possessions.
The Tigers finished with 29 first downs and converted eight of their 13 third down opportunities.
Blake Baker’s Defense Delivered a Shutout
LSU’s defense did more than keep Mississippi State out of the end zone. It refused to allow the Bulldogs to score a single point.
Mississippi State finished with 291 yards of offense and went zero for five on fourth down. LSU repeatedly slammed the door when the Bulldogs tried to extend drives.
One of the biggest moments came late in the first half. Mississippi State reached the LSU goal line with an opportunity to cut into the lead, but the Tigers made the stop and preserved the shutout.
Benefield’s first quarter interception set the tone for the secondary. LSU also recorded three sacks and limited Puckett to 16 completions on 26 attempts for 125 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.
TJ Dottery led LSU with 11 total tackles. Davhon Keys recorded 10 tackles and shared a sack. Jacobian Guillory Ross and DaShawn McKinley each recorded a sack, while Sydir Green contributed to another.
Mississippi State ran for 166 yards, but those yards never developed into points. Whenever the field became shorter and the pressure increased, LSU’s defense became stronger.
Special Teams Remained Reliable
Scott Starzyk continued to provide dependable production in the kicking game.
Starzyk converted all four of his extra point attempts and made a 26 yard field goal in the third quarter. The kick completed a 16 play, 84 yard possession that consumed more than eight minutes.
That drive pushed LSU’s advantage to 24 to 0 and drained much of Mississippi State’s remaining hope.
LSU Controlled the Important Statistics
LSU finished with 380 total yards and held Mississippi State to 291.
The Tigers passed for 289 yards, recorded 29 first downs and averaged 5.5 yards per play. LSU also committed only three penalties for 30 yards.
The teams each lost one turnover, but LSU recovered immediately from its mistake. The defense stopped Mississippi State on fourth down after the Tigers’ fumble, preventing the Bulldogs from gaining any momentum.
LSU led 14 to 0 after the first quarter, 21 to 0 at halftime and 31 to 0 entering the fourth quarter.
Key Statistics
• Final score: LSU 31, Mississippi State 0
• LSU total offense: 380 yards
• Mississippi State total offense: 291 yards
• LSU first downs: 29
• LSU third down conversions: 8 of 13
• Mississippi State fourth down conversions: 0 of 5
• Sam Leavitt: 31 completions on 38 attempts, 289 yards and four touchdowns
• Jackson Harris: Six receptions, 85 yards and two touchdowns
• Dilin Jones: 18 carries for 85 yards and eight receptions for 58 yards
• Ty Benefield: Five tackles and one interception
• TJ Dottery: 11 total tackles
• Scott Starzyk: One field goal and four extra points
A Complete Response From the Tigers
This was the type of performance LSU needed after its loss at Kentucky.
The offense started quickly, Leavitt protected the football and the defense dominated every meaningful situation. The Tigers defeated a higher ranked opponent without allowing a point.
There are still areas for LSU to improve, particularly with a rushing attack that finished with 91 yards as a team. But when the quarterback completes more than 81 percent of his passes and the defense produces a shutout, there is little room for criticism.
LSU did not allow Mississippi State to hang around. The Tigers seized control early, increased the pressure and turned Homecoming into a celebration.
It was convincing. It was complete. Most importantly, it was exactly the response LSU needed.
