LSU (2-1) was able to start off conference play with a win over Mississippi State (2-1) 31-16. The Tigers struggled in the first half and was able to make the necessary adjustments to pull out a victory in Tiger Stadium on Saturday night.
LSU’s Offense Slow Start Out of the Gates in the First Half
The Tigers won the coin toss and elected to put their offense on the field first. LSU was able to move the ball into Mississippi State’s territory, but had to punt it away to the Bulldogs offense.
The next offensive possession for the purple and gold didn’t go as planned as Mississippi State forced LSU to a quick three-and-out. It was the same story again as LSU started their next drive on their own 41-yard line as the Bulldog defense stood strong and forced another Tiger punt.
LSU started in great field position as Mississippi State went for it on their own 29-yard line. The Tiger offense would cough it up as Jayden Daniels’ fumble was recovered by Tyrus Wheat.
The offensive struggles continued for LSU as they had to punt on their next two offensive possessions. The Tigers would start their next drive on their own 25-yard line with 1:45 left before the half. Jayden Daniels and the Tiger offense was able to move the ball effectively down the field.
LSU was able to strike at the :46 second mark in the second quarter as Jayden Daniels found Jaray Jenkins for an eight-yard touchdown. The Tigers would cut into Mississippi State’s lead, 13-7, as both teams headed into the locker room.
ON THE BOARD @JayD__5 to @JenkinsJaray for the TD
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/7OycRbLn91— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) September 17, 2022
The Offense Wakes Up in the Second Half
LSU’s offense was able to drive down into the red zone coming out of the locker room. The Tigers added three points to the scoreboard as Damian Ramos nailed a 35-yard field goal to cut into the Bulldog lead, 13-10.
On their next offensive possession, LSU drove down to midfield and was faced with a fourth and five. Brian Kelly elected to go four it, but the Tiger offense was unsuccessful.
LSU would start off with a short field after the special teams unit created a turnover. It would give the offense an opportunity to strike. There were able to do just that as Jayden Daniels ran it in for a three-yard touchdown to give LSU the lead, 17-16, with 14:11 to go in the fourth quarter.
STRAIGHT. IN. TD. @JayD__5
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/3YnzeKPHbJ
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) September 18, 2022
The Tiger offense continued to shine on their next possession. Josh Williams ran it in for a seven-yard touchdown to extend the Tiger lead to 24-16 with 6:53 left in the fourth quarter.
HUGE TD JOSH WILLIAMS
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/53igo0E8r3
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) September 18, 2022
LSU’s offense was able to seal the game on the next drive. The Tiger drive would start on their own 47-yard line. The purple and gold would pick up a much-need first down by Daniels as they tried to drain the clock. LSU was able to strike on a 47-yard run by Armoni Goodwin that put the Tigers up 31-16 with 4:50 remaining.
Goodwin. Good run.
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/c0Bxy8MuWG
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) September 18, 2022
The Tigers were able to run out the clock on their next offensive possession. They would start off conference play in the win column. LSU’s offense finished the game with 416 yards of total offense (210 passing yards and 206 rushing yards).
Mississippi State Strikes First on Tiger Defense
The Bulldogs wasted no time to get on the scoreboard with a nine-play, 87-yard touchdown drive. Will Rogers and the offense was able to drive down to the LSU 37-yard line. Jo’quavious Marks busted a 37-yard touchdown run to put the Bulldogs up 6-0 with 7:30 left in the first quarter. Ben Raybon missed the PAT attempt to put the score at six.
The Bulldogs offense elected to go for it on back-to-back drives on fourth down. They were faced with a fourth and one on the LSU 40-yard line, but the Tiger defense stood tall as Dillon Johnson rushed for a loss of one yard.
The next fourth down attempt came at the Mississippi State 29-yard line, but once again the Tiger defensive front was able to hold Jo’quavious Marks to a rush that went nowhere. The Tigers continued to flex their muscle on the defensive side as the Bulldogs had to punt on their next two offensive possessions.
Mississippi State was able to extend their lead to 13 with a 13-yard touchdown strike from Will Rogers to Rara Thomas. The Bulldogs would have to punt on their next drive as LSU’s defense went into the locker room. The LSU defense headed into the locker room in need of some adjustments.
Tiger Defense Shuts Down Mississippi State in the Second Half
Mississippi State’s offense would get the ball on their first drive of the second half. They would be forced to punt as the Tiger defense continued to look strong. The Bulldogs were able to muster a 10-play, 34-yard drive, but had to settle for a field goal. Ben Raybon was able to nail a 45-yard field goal. It would put the Bulldogs up 16-10 with 6:31 left in the third quarter.
LSU’s defense stood tall as Mississippi State went for it on fourth down. Will Rogers pass fell incomplete on a fourth and one. The momentum started to shift to the Tigers after LSU’s special teams was able to force a turnover. Austin Williams’ muffed punt was recovered by Slade Roy to set LSU up with great field position.
SPECIAL TEAMS FUMBLE RECOVERY
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/VNua9fID7m
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) September 18, 2022
The Tiger defense continued to rise to the occasion as Mississippi State’s offense couldn’t generate any rhythm. The Bulldog had to punt on their next two possessions. LSU was able to lock up the win with an interception by Jay Ward.
LSU’s defense held Mississippi State’s offense to just three points in the second half. They were able to create a turnover that changed the game completely. The Tigers held Mississippi State to 289 yards of total offense on the game (214 passing yards and 75 rushing yards).
What’s Next for the Tigers?
LSU will welcome the New Mexico Lobos to Tiger Stadium next Saturday. Kickoff will be at at 6:30 pm. CT.
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