Summary
- LSU won 31-0 and improved to 5-2.
- Sam Leavitt completed 31 of 38 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns.
- Mississippi State played without quarterback Kamario Taylor and leading rusher Fluff Bothwell.
The final result
No. 22 LSU beat No. 16 Mississippi State 31-0 in Baton Rouge, controlling the game from the first half and recording one of the weekend’s clearest ranked wins. The Tigers took a three-touchdown lead into halftime and never allowed the Bulldogs to establish a comeback. The result moved LSU to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in Southeastern Conference play. [1] [2]
Who drove the outcome
Quarterback Sam Leavitt delivered his cleanest statistical performance of the season, completing 31 of 38 passes for 289 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. Jackson Harris caught two of those scoring passes. The mistake-free outing mattered because Leavitt entered the game with eight interceptions, the highest total in the SEC, but consistently found safe completions against a depleted defense. [1] [2]
The decisive stretch
Mississippi State was short-handed without quarterback Kamario Taylor and leading rusher Fluff Bothwell. Redshirt freshman Billy Puckett started and completed 16 of 26 passes for 121 yards with an interception. LSU’s defense repeatedly ended drives at the critical moment, stopping all five Bulldogs fourth-down attempts and keeping the visitors off the scoreboard for the full 60 minutes. [1] [2]
What the result changes
The shutout steadied LSU after an uneven opening half of the season and gives the Tigers a ranked conference win to carry into the second half of the schedule. Mississippi State fell to 4-2 overall and 2-2 in the SEC. Its next priorities are the health of Taylor and Bothwell and restoring an offense that could not compensate for their absences. [1] [2]
What to watch next
Schedules, rankings, injury information and roster roles can change after publication. The score and statistics above were checked against the listed official or major-news game coverage, while forward-looking implications are analysis based on the current standings. Readers following the next matchup should confirm kickoff times, availability reports and broadcast details with the league or team on game day. [1] [2]
Reporting sources
- ESPN · LSU 31-0 Mississippi State game recap ↗October 17, 2026
- Reuters · Top 25 roundup: Auburn knocks off No. 1 Georgia ↗October 17, 2026
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