Halftime takeaways: LSU vs. McNeese
· Yahoo Sports
It was a half dominated by LSU on both sides of the ball. The Tigers lead the Cowboys 35-0.
With Blake Baker’s defense on the field first, the Cowboys offense actually made them work. LSU showed early pressure, but Jake Strong was doing a nice job of avoiding it and delivery throws. McNeese was able to pick up multiple first downs, but the defense bowed up to force a 3rd and 8. Pressure forced a desperate throw by Strong and Tamarcus Cooley was waiting to pick it off for his second interception of they year.
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The offense came out with their typical tempo and seemed to be giving Sam Leavitt more short throws to get him in to rhythm.
Dilin Jones was heavily involved early and was flat out punishing would-be tacklers. It’s clear that you better come geared up, because he runs like he wants to deliver pain.
LSU was getting some younger receivers involved early. Freshman Corey Barber Jr. made a nice catch on the sideline to convert a 4th down, Malik Elzy was in the game during the second drive, and then Roman Mothershed made his first catch as a Tiger for a touchdown to make it 14-0. They had a 1st and goal from the 1 and could have likely given the ball to Jones for another easy score, but ran a play-action to give Mothershed a chance.
The starters on defense were not treating this like a small school game. They were flying around as if this was a primetime SEC matchup, which is a credit to the culture that Blake Baker has built.
Winnie Watkins dropped two touchdown passes on separate drives, which was shocking.
Jones doesn’t just run hard and punish defenders. On multiple runs, he juked and changed direction, causing multiple missed tackles. He’s legitimately an every-down back.
Sam Leavitt’s interception in front of the endzone looked like the first pass that we’ve seen his hamstring possibly affect his throw. He has been throwing off of his back leg (the healthy one) since he sustained the injury against Texas A&M and he did the same, but the ball didn’t have as much zip on it and it floated just long enough for McNeese’s safety to step in front.
The pressure on McNeese QB Jake Strong continued throughout the 2nd quarter with Princewill Umanmielen nabbing sack #8 in just 4.5 games.
Zach Grace is still struggling to find his footing as a pass-catcher in Trey’Dez Green’s absence. They’ve tried in every game since Green went down, but he and Leavitt just can’t seem to figure it out.
Landen Clark notched his 4th touchdown rush of the season on his first snap. He’s very fast and shifty for a quarterback.
Deuce Gerlads continues to be a problem in the middle of LSU’s defensive line. He grabbed his 5th sack of the season in the 2nd quarter. Watching him do what he’s doing as a true freshman is mesmerizing.
Tight end Malachi Thomas started seeing more snaps after Grace’s drop.
Corey Barber Jr. made his first touchdown catch and was greeted by tons of LSU starters to celebrate.
Something I’ve noticed tonight is that this team LOVES each other. On Mothershed and Barber’s first big moments, there were players like TJ Dottery, Ty Benefield, and Princewill Umanmielen as the first to congratulate them when they got back to the sideline, showing pure excitement for them.
Lane Kiffin is quickly building a great culture, one that we haven’t seen in the previous 4 years of LSU football.
Landen Clark came in for the final drive of the 1st half, making it appear as if Leavitt was done. But after a timeout prior to a 3rd and 6 with 1:02 left, #10 came back out and hit Barber for another touchdown.
The reserves came in for the final defensive drive of the half, including guys like Lamar Brown, Richard Anderson, and Zach Weeks.
Halftime stats
Leavitt: 18-23 / 176 yds / 3 TDs / 1 INT
Jones: 16 carries / 79 yds / 1 TD
Berry: 10 carries / 89 yds
Barber Jr: 4 receptions / 45 yds / 2 TDs
Wilson III: 4 receptions / 58 yds
Thomas: 4 tackles / 1 TFL
Umanmielen: 1 tackle / 1 TFL / 1 sack
Geralds: 1 tackle / 1 TFL / 1 sack
Cooley: 1 tackle / 1 INT
LSU team stats
Total yards: 347
Rush yards: 171
Pass yards: 176
1st downs: 18
3rd down: 5-8
McNeese team stats
Total yards: 31
Rush yards: 11
Pass yards: 20
1st downs: 2
3rd down: 0-6