No. 5 LSU Downs No. 22 MSU 19-3 In Defensive Battle

Saturday, October 20

Baton Rouge, La.

6:00 PM

Mississippi State

4-3 , 1-3

#5 LSU

7-1 , 4-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Mississippi State

LSU

No. 5 LSU Downs No. 22 MSU 19-3 In Defensive Battle

October 20, 2018 | Football

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by Caleb Garner, Graduate Assistant/Communications

BATON ROUGE, La. – Mississippi State's defense kept No. 5 LSU's offense in check most of the night Saturday. But LSU's defense was even more effective, leading the Tigers (7-1, 4-1 SEC) to a 19-3 victory over the 22nd-ranked Bulldogs (4-3, 1-3) at Tiger Stadium.

The Tigers jumped on top early in the contest, benefiting from an MSU interception on the third play from scrimmage that set LSU up at the Bulldog 3-yard line. Three rushes later, LSU led 7-0.

But State would not allow another Tiger touchdown the rest of the way, instead holding LSU to four field goals the remainder of the game. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, the Tigers would allow MSU only one field goal all night - a 19-yarder by Jace Christmann that answered the LSU TD in the first quarter.

After the game's lone touchdown was scored early in the first, LSU's Cole Tracy finished off the scoring for the Tigers Saturday night, going 4-for-4 with field goals of 25, 38, 29 and 40 yards throughout the contest.

The game was very much a defensive affair overall, with the teams combining for only 499 total yards of offense between them. State outgained the Tigers 260 to 239 on the night. Johnathan Abram, Mark McLaurin and Jeffery Simmons led the Bulldogs with 10 tackles each, Abram with a sack.

Despite MSU's offensive struggles, quarterback Nick Fitzgerald eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark (131) for the 18th time in his career, a new MSU school record for all backs. Fitzgerald led all rushers Saturday with 131 yards on the ground. But four interceptions ultimately plagued Fitzgerald and the Bulldogs' offensively. The Richmond Hill, Georgia, senior also became the first SEC quarterback to amass 3,000 career rushing yards in the effort, while being just the third Bulldog to run for 3,000 or more yards in a career.

Next Up For MSU …
The Bulldogs return home next Saturday, Oct. 27, to host No.17 Texas A&M (5-2, 1-1 SEC). It will be just the 12th meeting between the Bulldogs and Aggies all-time, with MSU holding a 6-5 advantage in the series. Game time is set for 6 p.m. CT at Davis Wade Stadium and the contest will be televised nationally by ESPN.