LSU walked into Jordan Hare Stadium facing an Auburn team fresh off a victory over No. 1 Georgia. The Tigers responded with their most complete road performance of the season.
No. 18 LSU piled up 552 yards, scored on five offensive possessions and overwhelmed Auburn 38 to 17 on Saturday. The victory improved LSU to 6 and 2 overall and 3 and 2 in SEC play.
The Tigers recorded their first road victory of the season and carried a two game winning streak into their open week.
Sam Leavitt Commands the Offense
Sam Leavitt delivered one of his best performances in an LSU uniform.
The quarterback completed 32 of 45 passes for 387 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He added 54 rushing yards and another touchdown, giving him 441 yards of total offense and four scores.
Leavitt repeatedly punished Auburn when the defense attempted to pressure him. He extended drives with his legs, delivered accurate throws underneath and connected with Jackson Harris for the biggest play of the afternoon.
Most of all, Leavitt protected the football. LSU finished without a turnover for the second consecutive game.
Jackson Harris Takes Over
Jackson Harris was nearly impossible for Auburn to contain.
The LSU receiver caught nine passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns. His 70 yard touchdown reception during the second quarter turned a competitive game into an LSU showcase.
Harris also caught a 10 yard touchdown in the first quarter. He consistently created separation and gave Leavitt a dependable target throughout the afternoon.
Trey’Dez Green made a productive return to the offense with five catches for 50 yards and a 15 yard touchdown. His size and ability in the middle of the field added another problem for Auburn’s defense.
LSU spread the football throughout the lineup.
• Jackson Harris: 9 receptions, 178 yards, 2 touchdowns
• Trey’Dez Green: 5 receptions, 50 yards, 1 touchdown
• Wynton Watkins Jr.: 4 receptions, 40 yards
• Ernest Campbell III: 4 receptions, 37 yards
• Zach Grace: 3 receptions, 33 yards
Dilin Jones Keeps LSU Balanced
Dilin Jones provided LSU with a steady rushing presence while also contributing as a receiver.
Jones carried the ball 21 times for 92 yards and scored on a 12 yard run early in the fourth quarter. He also caught four passes for 27 yards, finishing with 119 yards from scrimmage.
Leavitt added 54 rushing yards, while Caden Durham contributed 22 yards on three late carries.
LSU finished with 165 rushing yards and averaged 4.9 yards per attempt. That balance prevented Auburn from committing its entire defense to stopping the passing game.
The Second Quarter Changed Everything
LSU led 10 to 3 after the opening quarter before taking complete control.
The Tigers opened the second quarter with a 14 play, 95 yard touchdown drive that ended with Green’s 15 yard reception. Auburn answered with its only touchdown of the first three quarters, cutting LSU’s advantage to 17 to 10.
LSU immediately responded.
Leavitt found Harris for a 70 yard touchdown, then closed the half with a four yard scoring run. LSU entered halftime with a commanding 31 to 10 lead.
The Tigers scored 21 points during the second quarter while producing touchdown drives of 95, 75 and 74 yards.
Blake Baker’s Defense Smothers Auburn
LSU’s defense continued its impressive run after shutting out Mississippi State one week earlier.
Auburn managed only 271 total yards and 16 first downs. LSU held the home team to 67 rushing yards on 35 attempts, an average of just 1.9 yards per carry.
Auburn converted only five of 16 third downs and did not throw a touchdown pass.
The LSU pass rush was relentless. The Tigers recorded seven sacks, with Ross leading the charge with two. Umanmielen, Keys, Dottery, Benefield and Brown each added one.
Auburn starting quarterback Byrum Brown completed 15 of 24 passes for 160 yards. He was held to 21 net rushing yards on 19 attempts.
Auburn remained stuck on 10 points until backup quarterback T.J. Ti’a scored with 24 seconds remaining.
LSU Dominated the Numbers
The final statistics reflected how thoroughly LSU controlled the game.
• Final score: LSU 38, Auburn 17
• Total offense: LSU 552, Auburn 271
• Passing yards: LSU 387, Auburn 204
• Rushing yards: LSU 165, Auburn 67
• First downs: LSU 29, Auburn 16
• Average yards per play: LSU 6.9, Auburn 4.2
• LSU turnovers: 0
• LSU sacks: 7
• Auburn passing touchdowns: 0
Special teams also handled its responsibilities. Seth Starzyk made a 30 yard field goal and converted all five extra point attempts, accounting for eight points.
LSU Heads Into the Open Week With Momentum
LSU did exactly what it needed to do on the road. The Tigers played efficiently, protected the football and turned Auburn’s offense into a one dimensional attack.
Leavitt controlled the game. Harris delivered the explosive plays. Jones supplied balance. Baker’s defense dismantled Auburn at the line of scrimmage.
LSU now enters its open week at 6 and 2 with consecutive victories over Mississippi State and Auburn. Alabama visits Tiger Stadium on November 7, giving LSU two weeks to prepare for another defining SEC matchup.
The Tigers left no doubt on the Plains. This was LSU’s game from the opening quarter to the final whistle.
Sources
• LSU Athletics official schedule and results.
• CBS Sports official game statistics and play by play.
