LSU had one primary assignment against McNeese: avoid trouble, take control early and don’t allow an FCS opponent to turn the night into an unnecessary adventure.
16Powers.com
Mission accomplished.
The 11th-ranked Tigers scored touchdowns throughout the evening and accumulated an enormous 731 yards of offense in a 63-14 victory at Tiger Stadium.
LSU led 14-0 after the first quarter and put the game away with three more touchdowns in the second. The Tigers entered halftime ahead 35-0, allowing the coaching staff to spread playing time around the roster during the second half.
Starting quarterback Sam Leavitt completed 18 of 23 passes for 176 yards and three touchdowns, although he did throw one interception. Landen Clark and Husan Longstreet also saw extensive action as LSU attempted 48 passes with three quarterbacks.
The Tigers were even more impressive running the football.
Harlem Berry carried 15 times for 125 yards and a touchdown. Stacy Gage produced 110 yards and two touchdowns on only six carries, an incredible average of more than 18 yards per attempt.
Gage’s two scores came on fourth-quarter runs of 46 and 39 yards.
Dilin Jones added 79 yards and a touchdown as LSU finished with 367 rushing yards.
Corey Barber Jr. led the receivers with seven catches for 83 yards and two touchdowns.
McNeese did provide a brief burst of excitement during the third quarter. Jamaal Levi caught a 43-yard touchdown pass and later broke a 64-yard touchdown run. Those two explosive plays accounted for the Cowboys’ only scores.
Otherwise, LSU completely controlled the game.
The Tigers ran an extraordinary 101 offensive plays compared with 47 for McNeese and possessed the football for 37:13. LSU averaged 7.2 yards per play while limiting the Cowboys to 196 total yards.
Games against FCS opponents aren’t usually measuring sticks for nationally ranked SEC teams. LSU was heavily favored and was supposed to win comfortably.
Still, there is value in handling such an opponent exactly the way a contender should. LSU established a huge lead, gave reserve players meaningful snaps and avoided a fourth-quarter struggle.
The Tigers improved to 4-1 and can now turn their attention back toward the much more difficult challenges awaiting them in SEC play.
Final: LSU 63, McNeese 14
