THE STORY
LSU outclassed Louisiana Tech. I’m not sure the Tigers outplayed the Bulldogs.
Despite a massive edge in yardage, talent and the final score, LSU let its visitors from the northern part of the state hang around far, far too long. The Tigers only led 13-7 with five minutes left in the third quarter. When the scoreboard hit all zeros on the game clock, LSU had won, 45-14.
Blake Baker’s defense was magnificent. The Tigers absolutely overwhelmed the Bulldogs’ offense which finished the first half with zero total yards. That included minus-20 on the ground before intermission with the final yardage total (140) which was never going to be enough to truly threaten LSU.
There was a brief moment in time where a Tech victory seemed possible.
The Tigers led 13-7 with seven minutes to play in the third quarter on fourth-and-five from their own 40. La. Tech quarterback Blake Baker fired deep toward the LSU end zone for a streaking Jalen Mickens who had gotten behind Dashawn Spears. The ball was underthrown and batted away by Spears in pursuit near the five-yard line.
Six plays later, LSU was in the end zone and Tech’s chances were gone.
LSU won the fourth quarter 21-7 to swell the margin.
After turning the ball over on four straight first half possessions, LSU scored on six of its last seven.
Head coach Lane Kiffin chided his offensive line during the week, and the line struggled. Leavitt made some poor throws and poor decisions. Four first-half turnovers is an indefensible effort. The four rushing touchdowns by Tiger quarterbacks were enough to win, but often forced by broken plays or broken tackles, not offensive execution.
We may chalk it up to a lack of focus or a letdown game. We may find out it was a sign of things to come. The next two weeks will project LSU’s 2026 trajectory.
Oxford, MS. awaits.
THE STATS
LSU outgained Louisiana Tech 278-0 in the first half and only led 13-7.
The Tigers won the yardstick 528-140.
Louisiana Tech ran for minus-3 yards.
Louisiana Tech crossed the line of scrimmage twice in the second quarter.
Sam Leavitt: 25-for-38, 334 yards, TD, 3 INT, 11 carries, 22 yards, 3 TD
Trey’Dez Green: 6 catches, 101 yards, TD
Princewill Umanmielen: 3 sacks, 4 TFL
Tech had five sacks.
LSU had 10 red zone possessions. Tech had one.
LSU had 11 tackles for loss.
Tech ran the ball 31 times for a long of six yards.
THE PLAYS
LSU got on the board first with a 29-yard field goal from Scott Staczyk.
Jackson Harris’s 42-yard catch put LSU at the two and Leavitt took in in from five yards out two plays later. 10-0 Tigers.
Tech converted a third down, TJ Dottery stripped Eli Finley, and Tamarcus Cooley fell on it to set LSU up in Bulldogs’ territory.
Tre Wilson fumbled at the Tech 45-yard line which resulted in a return to the LSU 19-yard-line.
Tech backed up 18 yards to force a 54-yard field goal attempt that was grossly short.
Sam Leavitt was picked off on the next drive. It was intended for Trey’Dez Green and overthrown. Tech ball got the ball at the LSU 40.
A pick six created some tension in Tiger Stadium. Leavitt’s pass was picked off by Jordan McRae who took it 100 yards to the house to make it 10-7 with 1:53 left before the half.
LSU drove down with a chance to score before halftime and Leavitt was intercepted for the third time, this time at the five-yard line. It was 13-7 Tigers at the half.
Tech was fourth-and-five from the LSU 40, and it was open. Spears broke it up trailing Mickens inside the 15-yard-line.
Leavitt capped a six-play, 60-yard touchdown drive with a nine-yard keeper off right tackle. Two-point conversion was good as Leavitt ran circles around the Tech defense and eventually found Malachi Thomas. LSU, 21-7.
DJ Pickett picked off Tech’s Blake Baker.
Starzyk’s 23-yarder made it 24-7.
Leavitt found the end zone for the third time, this one from five yards out to make it 31-7.
LSU’s defense forced a Mickens fumble. Deuce Geralds forced it and Jhase Thomas ran it back 22 yards to the Tech 20.
Leavitt found Green up the seam for a 10-yard score to make it 38-7.
Against the second defense, Baker hit Mickens for a 67-yard touchdown to make it 38-13.
Landen Clark did a little Leavitt impression with a weaving touchdown run from seven yards out. 45-14, LSU.
