Sam Leavitt throws four touchdowns as LSU blanks Mississippi State, 31-0

Sam Leavitt threw four touchdown passes, and No. 22 LSU denied all five of Mississippi State's fourth-down attempts in a 31-0 win Saturday in Baton Rouge. Jackson Harris caught two of the touchdowns as the Tigers built a 21-point halftime lead and kept the 16th-ranked Bulldogs scoreless.

Leavitt completed 31 of 38 passes for 289 yards without an interception. LSU scored touchdowns on its first two possessions, with Ty Benefield's interception setting up the second. Mississippi State had entered without starting quarterback Kamario Taylor and running back Fluff Bothwell, according to WBRZ's game report; Parker Puckett started at quarterback.

The Tigers took an early 7-0 lead on Leavitt's 10-yard touchdown pass to Eugene Wilson III. Benefield then intercepted Puckett at the LSU 15, and LSU drove 85 yards for another score. Harris finished that possession with a 27-yard touchdown catch, extending the lead to 14-0 in the first quarter.

Harris and Leavitt connected again from 17 yards out with 6:13 left in the second quarter. Harris finished with six receptions for 85 yards and two touchdowns, giving LSU a dependable scoring target while the Bulldogs struggled to turn their own drives into points.

Mississippi State did reach the LSU 2-yard line late in the first half. The Tigers stopped four consecutive plays and carried their 21-0 lead into the break. That stand was part of a much larger problem for the Bulldogs: they converted seven of 15 third downs but went 0-for-5 on fourth down.

LSU added a 26-yard Seth Starzyk field goal in the third quarter before Leavitt threw his fourth touchdown, a 6-yard pass to Malik Elzy with 31 seconds left in the period. The Tigers had all 31 of their points before the fourth quarter began.

Puckett completed 16 of 26 passes for 121 yards and an interception. Mississippi State ran for 170 yards and finished with 291 total yards, but never found a scoring play. Kolin Wilson led the Bulldogs with 71 yards on 18 carries, and Anthony Evans III caught seven passes for 40 yards.

LSU produced 379 total yards and 28 first downs. The Tigers were 8-for-13 on third down and converted their only fourth-down attempt. Dilin Jones ran for 84 yards on 18 carries, giving Leavitt a ground option even on a day when most of LSU's scoring came through the air.

The defense kept working after the score was settled. Jordan Ross sacked Puckett on Mississippi State's final extended possession, then broke up the fourth-down pass that ended it. TJ Dottery led LSU with 12 tackles.

LSU improved to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the SEC. Mississippi State fell to 4-2 and 2-2. The Tigers remained unbeaten in five home games.