The LSU Tigers routed the Mississippi State Bulldogs 31-0 Saturday in Tiger Stadium.
LSU, ranked No. 21 in the AP Top 25 and AFCA Coaches Poll, improved to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the SEC. Mississippi State), ranked No. 16 in the AP and No. 19 in the coaches polls, dropped to 4-2 and 2-2.
The Tigers bounced back from a 35-34 overtime loss to Kentucky last week.
“Really good day especially after last week,” LSU Head Coach Lane Kiffin said. “I don’t think it’s any secret that was a really hard week. Players regroup, coaches regroup after one we felt in so many ways obviously we handed away. Really glad with their response.”
LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt completed 31-of-38 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns. For the first time this season, he didn’t throw an interception.
Leavitt aggravated a hamstring injury in practice which limited his ability to run.
“Sam really played well for someone who is not 100 percent obviously in moving around,” Kiffin said. “Threw the ball really well and the receivers made really good plays which they’ve started to do. Talked a lot this week about trusting the receivers and letting them go make plays. Starting to show that we can be a passing team and really be attacking that way.”
Jackson Harris caught six passes for 85 yards, including touchdowns of 27 and 17 yards in the first half. Leavitt’s other two touchdown passes went to Eugene Wilson III for 10 yards in the first quarter and Mark Elzy for 6 in the third.
Scott Starzyk kicked a 26-yard field goal in the third quarter.
Dilin Jones rushed for 84 yards on 14 carries and caught eight passes for 58 yards.
The Tigers led 21-0 at the half and 31-0 after three quarters.
The shutout was the first at home against an SEC opponent since 2006. The Tigers limited the Bulldogs to 291 yards total offense.
Mississippi State played without injured starting quarterback Kamario Taylor and leading rusher Fluff Bothwell.
Taylor’s replacement, Parker Puckett, completed 16-of-26 passes for just 126 yards with one interception.
The Bulldogs fared better on the ground. Kolin Wilson gained 71 yards on 18 carries.
LSU once again played without injured tight end Trey’Dez Green and linebacker Whit Weeks, both preseason All-Americans.
“I know people will talk about their injuries but we got a break today,” Kiffin said. “I don’t think we’ve gotten many breaks since the beginning of the season in a lot of areas. I could start listing them on and off the field.
“Ain’t any team in America that has more significant players standing on the sideline than us.”