The LSU Tigers took a weekend off from SEC to face off against the McNeese Cowboys defeating them by 49 points.
With this matchup, it’s time to build on the momentum after a knockout against the Texas Aggies last weekend in Death Valley. With key components like Whit Weeks and Trey’Dez Green out with injuries indefinitely, the Tigers need to build a strong team even without them to ensure they’re a solid unit when they face Kentucky on the road Oct. 10.
Making a mark early, the Tigers scored two touchdowns in a combined eight minutes, with quarterback Sam Leavitt at the center of it all. After getting injured last week, Leavitt returned as a starter on Saturday night, leading the Tigers with a better performance than two weeks ago. But it raises the question: will he be able to do this for the remainder of the season, against bigger teams when it’s not in-state competition?
With Leavitt in for the first quarter and half of the second, backup quarterback Landen Clark entered the game and immediately made some noise, scoring the Tigers’ third touchdown of the night.
The Tigers put up 21 points in just 23 minutes, with no sign of slowing down.
Even though key parts of this team are missing, one thing is certain: the chemistry and ability to pick up as if nothing happened are there. That’s what will solidify this team as a postseason team if it can hold up against bigger, stronger SEC teams.
Through the first half, it became clear this would be a shutout for the Tigers. The coverage the LSU offense ran, along with constant defensive pressure, was right on the mark to keep McNeese as far from the end zone as possible.
With defensive players like true freshman Duece Gerald recording his fifth sack of the season and then shortly after recording a touchdown on the books putting his name in the LSU history books, these boys are monsters on the field in any situation.
“It’s a lot of hard work, just keeping my head down working,” Gerald said. “I think everything is falling into place for me, and I just thank God for that.”
What makes this team stand out from other years, besides a real coach, is the chemistry and love they have for each other. With guys like Corey Barber Jr. and Roman Mothershed having their first big moments as Tigers, their celebrations felt like they’d just hit the lottery.
Barber Jr., the true freshman from Alabama, came in with two touchdowns, 45 yards and his longest reception being 23 yards for just the first half. The future of the Tigers has nothing to worry about if it keeps up with this elite level.
“Corey has done a great job, he stepped up,” Kiffin said. “He did a really good job and I actually started him in a series after that.”
Currently sitting at 40.1% of making the College Football Playoffs, the Tigers have work to do before December. Although still two months away, the postseason will be knocking on the door before these Tigers know it.
Just when the hopes of a complete shutout were on the horizon with less than 20 minutes left, the defense let wide receiver Jamaal Levi score two touchdowns with no coverage, just a mad dash down the field.
It became evident; the double-digit lead suddenly went to their heads. This once A-game team began slipping, allowing 14 points in just a matter of less than 10 minutes, with a fuming Lane Kiffin on the sidelines.
The once-hustle, quick-turnaround offense had started to unravel, but with almost a full quarter left, Stacy Gage made a mad dash downfield for the eighth touchdown of the night. Just a few minutes later, he did it again for his second touchdown of the night, dashing 39 yards this time to the end zone.
His final stats from the night, were like he had been in the game the entire time. 112 yards, two touchdowns and his longest carry being a 46-yard dash to the end zone. With the roll Gage was on tonight, the chance for more playing time down the road this could be one dangerous player.
Ending the night, with a blowout against the Cowboys with a hustle that if continued will make this team hard to stop further down the line.
