LSU Tigers Take Care Of Business With 63-14 Win Over McNeese St. Cowboys

The LSU Tigers handled business against the McNeese St. Cowboys on Saturday night, winning 63-14. Despite it being a 49-point win, the feeling that it could have been an even larger victory will not sit well with the coaches.
Heading into a locker room with a 35-0 lead, head coach Lane Kiffin only complained about the fact that starting wide receiver Winston Watkins Jr. dropped two easy touchdown passes from quarterback Sam Leavitt. One of those drops led to an interception.
Watkins’ struggles were amplified when true freshman Corey Barber Jr. came in to replace him and then had a true breakout performance. Barber had just one catch for 15 yards. In this game, he finished with six catches for 76 yards and two touchdowns.
Blake Baker seemed frustrated with the backup defense allowing both a 64-yard touchdown run and a 43-yard touchdown reception to Cowboys running back Jamaal Levi.
There was another drive late where both backup tackles got flagged for false starts back-to-back, and the camera cut to an annoyed Eric Wolford (LSU offensive line coach). Later in that drive, there was a hold as well.
When facing a team like McNeese, a now 2-4 FCS program, the coaches expect perfection. This game wasn’t anything like the slow start they had against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, but there will be some things to work on in practice for the backups.
Again, though, it was still a big win with a lot to like from the starters. It was just assumed that they would have great days. The offense ended up picking up 731 yards, which was good for the second-best mark in school history.
Leavitt did have that one interception, but it was overall another solid day for him as a passer. He finished 18-of-23 for 176 yards with three touchdowns and that one pick. People were unsure if he would even suit up for this game, but he played the first half and had a fairly easy-going day.
The one touchdown that didn’t go to Barber went to another breakout star, wide receiver-turned-tight end Roman Mothershed. The Tigers moved Mothershed there to fill in for the loss felt by Trey’Dez Green, even switching Mothershed to Green’s old number. He had 2 catches for 11 yards and that score. If he can make up any ground lost there, it would be a massive boost for the offense until Green returns.
Harlem Berry had a massive day, 15 carries for 125 yards and a score. It should be a massive confidence boost for him after the frustrating start. Fellow backup Stacy Gage also picked up six carries for 110 yards and two scores, breaking a couple late.
It was business as usual for the defensive stars, well, for the most part. Tamarcus Cooley had an interception. Princewill Umanmielen is up to eight sacks for the year, retaking the national lead. Deuce Geralds had his fifth sack, along with his first career rushing touchdown on a goal-line run.
Overall, it was a successful day. LSU will now turn their attention to the red-hot Kentucky Wildcats, who they will play next weekend.
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