Bend don't break - LSU tops MSU 28-25
Last season, Mississippi State (2-2) humiliated the defending national champions in its season opener with 44 points and an SEC record 623 passing yards. Today, LSU (3-1) hung on to avenge that loss but not before some late-game drama in a 28-25 win.
LSU limited MSU to just three points until the very end of the third quarter. The Tigers held a comfortable 21-3 lead until MSU receiver Makai Polk caught a 29-yard pass from MSU quarterback Will Rogers with 26 seconds remaining before the fourth quarter.
That started a 22-7 run for the Bulldogs setting up a last-minute onside kick attempt. MSU actually recovered that onside kick, but illegal touching before the ball traveled ten yards sealed their fate.
LSU defensive coordinator Daronte Jones adjusted his scheme to a 3-2 Dime formation for the majority of the game, playing off of the receivers with a lot of man coverage.
In other words, LSU was committed to stopping big plays through the air that devastated the Tigers in last year’s matchup.
"I don’t think they expected us to be in a three-man front,” LSU coach Ed Orgeron said. “We had never shown it."
“We’ve been working on stopping this Air Raid since last year. We made some improvement, but wish we would have finished.”
This worked very well until the final 15:26 of the game.
LSU did give up 486 yards, but no plays of 30 or more yards. Rogers threw the ball 62 times with 42 completions for 371 yards with three touchdowns and an interception.
LSU linebacker Damone Clark led the team in tackles with 15.
Offensively, LSU was far from perfect but did enough to get the win despite being outgained 486-343.
The running game continued to be a weak spot for the Tigers, with 63 yards on 27 carries. LSU running back Tyrion Davis-Price got the majority of carries in the game running the ball 13 times for 51 yards.
Passing the ball was LSU’s only consistent offense. LSU quarterback Max Johnson went 17-27 for 280 yards with 4 touchdowns and an interception. On the season, Johnson now has 1,144 yards with 15 touchdowns and three interceptions.
“Coach (Jake) Peetz dialed up some really good plays,” Johnson said “We were able to capitalize."
His favorite target was once again receiver Kayshon Boutte with four catches for 85 yards and two touchdowns. Boutte is catching touchdowns at a record-breaking pace this year with eight after just four games.
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