Mississippi State
1-2 , 0-2
#15 LSU
3-0 , 2-0
LSU Uses Bulldog Miscues To Produce 29-7 Victory
September 18, 2010 | Football
BATON ROUGE, La. - For the first two quarters, Mississippi State's stifling defense kept LSU's big-play offense out of the end zone. But in the third frame, the Tigers finally found their rhythm and maintained it throughout the second half en route to posting a 29-7 victory.
With the win, the raucous crowd of 92,538 at Tiger Stadium saw No. 15 LSU extend its winning streak to 11-consecutive games against the Bulldogs, who fell to 1-2 on the year and 0-2 in SEC play.
Despite the final margin of victory, the Tigers led just 12-0 at the break behind four field goals by Josh Jasper covering 44, 32, 51 and 37 yards.
The Bulldogs, though, wouldn't be deterred heading into intermission.
Instead, they came out of the locker room to start the second half and orchestrated a 13 play, 81-yard drive that was capped by 1-yard plunge up the middle by Vick Ballard, closing the gap to 12-7.
Five plays into that drive, though, starting quarterback Chris Relf left the game for good with an injury. Freshman Tyler Russell replaced him and completed both of his passes for 36 yards in leading MSU to its only score, while running twice for 9 yards.
However, the momentum was short-lived.
From that point, the Tigers, who haven't lost to MSU in Baton Rouge since 1991, answered with back-to-back touchdowns to extend their lead to 26-7 before Jasper added his school-record fifth field goal in the fourth quarter for the game's final points.
The Tigers' offensive rhythm, coupled with an LSU defense that forced five turnovers, was just too much for Mississippi State to overcome.
In addition to forcing those miscues, which now totals nine the past two seasons combined, LSU (3-0, 2-0) held the Bulldogs to just 268 yards of total offense, with 115 coming through the air and 153 on the ground.
Relf, who was 5-of-8 passing for 34 yards and two interceptions before his early exit, paced MSU on the ground with 46 yards, while Robert Elliott totaled 40.
In relief action, Russell threw for 81 yards while completing 5 of his 10 passes. He was also picked off three times.
But just as stingy was MSU's defense.
The Tigers had just 15 first downs, two fewer than Mississippi State, and was held to only 261 yards.
Only 96 of those yards came through the air, as quarterback Jordan Jefferson was 10 of 18 on the night. He also rushed for another 41 yards and a score, while Stevan Ridley led all rushers with 76 yards.
MSU must put this game behind them quickly, as it returns to action at 6 p.m on Sept. 25 at Scott Field against Georgia, which fell to 1-2, 0-2 following its 31-24 setback to Arkansas earlier Saturday.
Team Stats
MS 0, LS 3
LS - Josh Jasper 44 yd field goal 10 plays, 32 yards, TOP 5:22
MS 0, LS 6
LS - Josh Jasper 32 yd field goal 13 plays, 55 yards, TOP 5:54
MS 0, LS 9
LS - Josh Jasper 51 yd field goal 6 plays, 18 yards, TOP 2:43
MS 0, LS 12
LS - Josh Jasper 37 yd field goal 7 plays, 22 yards, TOP 3:00
MS 7, LS 12
MS - Vick Ballard 1 yd run (Sean Brauchle kick), 13 plays, 81 yards, TOP 6:43
MS 7, LS 19
LS - Jo. Jefferson 16 yd run (Josh Jasper kick), 7 plays, 60 yards, TOP 2:55
MS 7, LS 26
LS - Stevan Ridley 2 yd run (Josh Jasper kick), 3 plays, 28 yards, TOP 1:01
MS 7, LS 29
LS - Josh Jasper 21 yd field goal 4 plays, 6 yards, TOP 1:57
