LSU routs Mississippi State behind Leavitt’s touchdown passes

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, October 18, 2026

LSU defeated Mississippi State 31-0 with quarterback Sam Leavitt throwing four touchdowns and no interceptions, securing their first SEC shutout since 2007. The win improves LSU’s conference record to 2-2 and signals a strong recovery after a recent loss, while Mississippi State struggles with key injuries and consecutive heavy defeats.

LSU secured a dominant 31-0 victory over Mississippi State on Saturday in Baton Rouge, propelled by quarterback Sam Leavitt’s efficient performance. Leavitt completed 31 of 38 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns without throwing an interception, helping the No. 22 Tigers (5-2, 2-2 SEC) build a commanding three-touchdown lead in the first half en route to their first SEC shutout since 2007.

Wide receiver Jackson Harris was a key contributor for LSU, finishing with six receptions for 85 yards and two touchdowns before leaving the game due to a suspected lower left leg injury. Senior running back Dilin Jones led LSU’s ground attack with 84 yards on 18 carries, including a notable 21-yard run during which his helmet was knocked off by a tackle.

Mississippi State (4-2, 2-2 SEC) played without starting quarterback Kamario Taylor and leading running back Fluff Bothwell, both sidelined by injury. Backup quarterback Parker Puckett made his first career start but struggled under pressure. He completed 16 of 26 passes for 121 yards, was intercepted once, and was sacked three times. Despite Puckett moving the offense inside LSU territory five times, the Bulldogs failed to convert on four consecutive fourth-down attempts, including a crucial stop at the LSU 6-yard line.

LSU’s victory marked a strong rebound after dropping a closely contested 35-34 overtime game at Kentucky the previous week, which caused them to fall 12 spots in the AP Top 25 rankings. The win also improved LSU’s conference record to 2-2. Meanwhile, Mississippi State faced their second straight heavy defeat, both losses exceeding 30 points.

The Tigers maintained a balanced offensive approach, spreading the ball among nine different receivers and limiting quarterback scrambles to just four carries for 11 yards. Their defensive effort was equally effective, holding the Bulldogs scoreless and containing an injury-depleted Mississippi State lineup throughout the contest.

The decisive performance underlines LSU’s efforts to reassert themselves in the SEC after a mid-season stumble, while Mississippi State will look to regroup following key injuries and back-to-back lopsided losses.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.