Tigers pile up 731 yards of offense as Sam Leavitt throws three touchdowns and LSU improves to 4-1

BATON ROUGE, La. — No. 11 LSU turned Saturday night into an offensive showcase, overwhelming in-state opponent McNeese 63-14 at Tiger Stadium behind one of the most productive performances in school history.

The Tigers piled up 731 yards of total offense, the second-highest single-game total in program history, while running a school-record 102 offensive plays. LSU improved to 4-1 on the season and continued building momentum under first-year head coach Lane Kiffin. (LSU Athletics)

Quarterback Sam Leavitt directed the attack, completing 18 of 23 passes for 176 yards and three touchdowns. His three scoring passes helped LSU establish control early and allowed the Tigers to steadily expand their lead throughout the night.

LSU’s defense set the tone from the opening possession.

Tamarcus Cooley intercepted McNeese quarterback Jake Strong on the Cowboys’ first possession, giving LSU the ball at the McNeese 48-yard line. Nine plays later, running back Dilin Jones powered into the end zone from one yard out to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead.

LSU added another touchdown before the end of the first quarter when Leavitt connected with tight end Roman Mothershed on a 1-yard scoring pass.

The Tigers continued to pour it on in the second quarter.

Backup quarterback Landen Clark scored on a 3-yard keeper before Leavitt found Corey Barber Jr. for a 6-yard touchdown. Leavitt then connected with Barber again for a 12-yard touchdown late in the half, sending LSU into halftime with a commanding 35-0 advantage. (LSU Athletics)

The second half featured more of the same.

Freshman defensive tackle Deuce Geralds became one of the night’s most memorable players when he scored on a 1-yard direct-snap rushing touchdown, giving the Tigers a 42-0 advantage.

Running back Harlem Berry then broke loose for an 11-yard touchdown run. Berry finished with a career-high 125 rushing yards on 15 carries, adding another explosive element to an LSU ground game that consistently found running room.

McNeese finally broke through late in the third quarter when backup quarterback Brady Barrier connected with Jaamal Levi for a 43-yard touchdown. Levi added another touchdown moments later, this time on a 64-yard run, but LSU’s lead remained overwhelming at 49-14.

The Tigers answered immediately.

Stacy Gage Jr. ripped off a 46-yard touchdown run and later added a 39-yard scoring run, finishing with 110 rushing yards and two touchdowns. (FOX Sports)

By the final whistle, LSU had scored 63 points while holding McNeese to 14.

The Tigers’ offensive balance was evident throughout the night, with five different LSU players recording rushing touchdowns — Berry, Jones, Gage, Clark and Geralds. (LSU Athletics)

The victory gives LSU a 4-1 record heading into the heart of its SEC schedule. The Tigers will return to conference play next Saturday when they travel to Lexington to face Kentucky in a 6 p.m. CT kickoff. (LSU Athletics)

For Kiffin and the Tigers, Saturday’s performance was more than simply another victory. LSU demonstrated the ability to control a game with its offense, create turnovers defensively and continue attacking deep into the second half.

With SEC play ahead, LSU’s 63-14 statement against McNeese provided plenty of momentum heading into the next challenge.