No. 22 LSU just absolutely blew out a shorthanded No. 16 Mississippi State, shutting them down 31-0 on Saturday and setting themselves up for a big jump back into the AP Poll’s top 20. This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement game for Lane Kiffin’s Tigers in Baton Rouge.
Sam Leavitt’s Unstoppable Day Carries LSU Offense
LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt was straight-up dealing, showing why this Tigers offense can be so dangerous. He went 31-for-38 for 289 yards and a ridiculous four touchdowns, all without throwing a single interception. Leavitt was cooking from the jump, going 9-for-10 for 91 yards and two scores in the first quarter alone! He added another touchdown pass in the second to give LSU a commanding 21-point lead going into halftime. And Kiffin wasn’t taking his foot off the gas, with Leavitt throwing his fourth TD pass in the third quarter. Receiver Jackson Harris was a huge target, pulling in six catches for 85 yards and two touchdowns. On the ground, Dilin Jones chipped in 84 rushing yards on 18 carries. The Tigers just flat-out out-gained the Bulldogs 379-291, keeping the pressure on all game.
Mississippi State’s Injury Woes Led to a Rough Afternoon
Mississippi State was in a tough spot coming into this one, and it showed. They were missing their starting quarterback, Kamario Taylor, who’s still sidelined with a foot injury he tried to play through against Alabama. To make matters worse, leading rusher Fluff Bothwell was also out with a lower-body injury and was seen on the sidelines wearing a boot. That forced backup QB Parker Puckett into action, and it was a rough day. Puckett threw an interception on just his second possession and finished with only 121 passing yards. With their key playmakers out, the Bulldogs offense just couldn’t get anything going against LSU’s defense, which held them to that paltry passing total.
This win is massive for LSU. They entered the game at No. 22, but after dropping to that season-low ranking following a loss to Kentucky, and having seen minimal movement even after beating No. 23 Texas A&M earlier this season, this kind of dominant shutout, especially against a ranked opponent, should propel them. It also evens their conference record at 2-2, putting them at 5-2 overall, tied with Florida and ahead of Mississippi State in the SEC standings. Keep an eye on the next AP Poll; the Tigers are definitely making a push back towards that top 10 form they showed when they peaked at No. 7 earlier this fall.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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