The drama was removed early in the action on Saturday.
LSU controlled the game from start to finish playing a Mississippi State team that relies heavily on Kamario Taylor. With him out of the equation, the Tiger defense feasted on Billy Puckett’s offense. Sam Leavitt’s unit drove the field early and often to pile up 31 points.
The Tigers have dominated on their home field. Saturday was the latest edition of that.
HIGHEST GRADES
- Jordan Ross, DE – 92.8
- Sam Leavitt, QB – 81.4
- Dominick McKinley, DT – 79.1
- Jackson Harris, WR – 77.4
- Dilin Jones, RB – 73.8
Ross was everywhere. He was involved in three sacks, had three pressures, forced a fumble and broke up a pass. His pass rushing grade was 93.9. That the kind of presence Ross can offer, he just hasn’t done it consistently. With Princewill Umanmielen out of the game early, Saturday was a nice time for the Tennessee transfer to show out.
Leavitt was excellent. He played his first turnover-free game. Even with two drops, he completed 83% of his throws. He only took off and ran three times. For LSU to win, Leavitt is going to need to show up in these highest grades. He certainly did Saturday.
McKinley played 21 snaps. In eight pass rush snaps, he was involved in a sack and had a hurry. He also made two stops which either forced third down or halted a drive. His run defense grade was 75.1.
Harris has really blossomed the last three weeks. Unfortunately he left Saturday’s game with an ankle injury and was in a walking boot. Before the injury, Harris caught all six of his targets for 85 yards and a pair of scores. Two more catches went for first downs. He forced two missed tackles on one play.
Jones forced seven missed tackles and rolled up 58 yards after contact. He graded a 72.1 in the running game.
LOWEST GRADES
- Jordan Seaton, LT – 34.8
- William Satterwhite, LG – 48.5
- Roman Mothershed, TE/WR – 49.1
- Tre’ Brown, WR – 53.3
- Zach Grace, TE – 54.5
The lowest grades are all on offense, and the lowest two come on the left side of LSU’s offensive line. The offensive front is the soft spot of this roster.
Seaton’s pass blocking grade was a 3.3. That’s not a typo. PFF dinged him for four pressures allowed on 41 pass blocking reps. He was a 50.1 run blocking.
Satterwhite allowed a hit and a hurry, plus, he was flagged for a penalty that was declined. LSU has to play better up front. Leavitt and Jones can cover for this group to an extent, but not for a month.
Mothershed had one catch for nine yards on his only target. He was just a 45.8 on 11 run blocking snaps. We’ll forgive him. That’s not exactly why he was brought to LSU. With Trey’Dez Green out, he’s got to do a little more of it.
Brown left the game on crutches. He didn’t register a statistic. Grace made two catches for 21 yards. He allowed three pressures, so the blocking is what lowers his game grade.
