Mississippi State vs. LSU: Game Grades, Analysis for Tigers
In Danny Etling's first start for the LSU Tigers under center, LSU moved to 2-1 on the season while surviving a late rally with a 23-20 win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Arden Key was an animal on defense, Leonard Fournette returned to the lineup and the Tigers offense had a terrific first half.
But had it not been for Key's relentlessness on the game's final meaningful drive, the Tigers may have coughed up a 20-point halftime lead.
With that, let's check out the grades for each of LSU's positional units.
Rush Offense
1 of 6
Grade: B
The Tigers sure appreciated having Leonard Fournette, who racked up 147 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries, back on the depth chart after recovering from an ankle injury.
While LSU ultimately won the game and its passing attack was set up in the first half by its rushing game, the Tigers couldn't ice the game away in the fourth quarter by moving the chains and milking the clock.
Nevertheless, 177 team rushing yards is a nice day against the Bulldogs' front line.
Pass Offense
2 of 6
Grade: B
Danny Etling didn't put up gaudy numbers by any means.
But he put up the best numbers of the year and all but sealed his destiny as the full-time starting quarterback in Baton Rouge.
Etling finished 215 yards and a touchdown on 19-of-30 passing—a much-needed day from an LSU signal-caller. Etling spread the ball around too, with Fournette, Malachi Dupre and Travin Dural all having four receptions and D.J. Chark having three.
LSU fans can breathe a sigh of relief for the time being as it seems the Brandon Harris Era is behind them.
Rush Defense
3 of 6
Grade: A+
LSU's front line couldn't have had a better day against a Mississippi State squad that wanted to rely on the ground attack.
The Bulldogs were limited to 56 yards on 32 carries—less than two yards a carry—and just one rushing touchdown. Ashton Shumpert led the Bulldogs with just 34 yards rushing, while four players for Mississippi State had four or less yards on the ground.
The Tigers forced the Bulldogs to go through the air, and it wasn't until their opponents made a quarterback change that the MSU offense had any rhythm.
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Pass Defense
4 of 6
Grade: B+
Through the first three-and-a-half quarters of the game, the LSU secondary, coupled with the relentless pass rush led by Arden Key and Lewis Neal along the line, kept Nick Fitzgerald and Co. at bay to the point that Damian Williams eventually replaced Fitzgerald.
However, Williams provided an almost immediate spark late in the game, finishing 5-of-8 passing for 94 yards and two total touchdowns.
Fitzgerald, on the other hand, had just 120 yards on 12-of-24 passing.
Ultimately, LSU bent but didn't break in the secondary.
Special Teams
5 of 6
Grade: A
There were no flashy punt returns to the house for the Tigers this game.
But perhaps the biggest play late in the game came on special teams.
With Mississippi State poised to get the ball back after forcing a three-and-out, down by just three points, LSU punter Josh Growden boomed a 61-yard punt that was downed at the Bulldogs' 23-yard line.
That gave Mississippi State a long field to try and tie the game, which they ultimately couldn't. It was the first thing to go right down the stretch of the game for the Tigers and calmed a lot of nerves.
Colby Delahoussaye was also perfect on all his kicks, including a 27-yard field goal.
Coaching
6 of 6
Grade: A-
After the Week 1 loss to Wisconsin, this was the next true test for Les Miles and LSU.
Despite a late scare, he passed with flying colors. His decision to commit to Danny Etling at quarterback is certainly paying off as he now has an offense that can score points.
It seemed LSU went into prevent-mode a little early, and that is likely on Miles for not keeping up the pressure deep enough into the second half.
But a win in the SEC is a win in the SEC no matter how it looks, and the Tigers now have a 2-1 mark.
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