Les Miles leads LSU into Starkville. (Getty)
Final Score
LSU Tigers 14-0-7-0 — 21
Mississippi State Bulldogs 0-3-3-13 — 19
Box Score
LSU led for most of the game and had a 21-6 lead in the fourth quarter. Mississippi State demonstrated resolve and fought back with two late fourth quarter touchdowns. The Bulldogs had an opportunity to win the game on a 52-yard field goal. The kick went wide-right, and the Tigers were able to escape with a victory.
It was the Leonard Fournette show as he had 28 carries for 159 yards and three touchdowns. The LSU defense also looked good aside from letting Mississippi State back in the game. Quarterback Brandon Harris finished 9-of-14 for 71 yards.
For Mississippi State, quarterback Dak Prescott threw for 336 yards and one touchdown. He was not as effective rushing the ball as he normally is.
Here are highlights and key storylines from the game:
Leonard Fournette Scored Two First Quarter Touchdown
Fournette helped get the Tigers off to a great start. In the first quarter, he had eight carries, 44 yards and two touchdowns.
LSU Led 14-3 at Halftime
The Tigers leaned heavily on their defense and a healthy dose of Leonard Fournette. Mississippi State has not been able to get anything going on offense.
Leonard Fournette Scored His Third Touchdown
For those keeping score of the Fournette touchdown tracker, he had three touchdowns with 6:46 remaining in the third quarter. It continues to be all Tigers in Starkville.
#LSU RB Leonard Fournette:
– TDs: 3
– Carries: 18
– Yards: 106
Dak Prescott Found the Endzone
Dak Prescott & Miss St. finally get in the end zone. The LSU lead is 21-13 with 14:45 left in the 4Q. Gametracker: http://t.co/bA9ZiqYIUp
It was a slow start for the Mississippi State offense. Prescott finally found the endzone on a 1-yard touchdown run.
Mississippi State Scored Another 4th Quarter Touchdown
Touchdown Mississippi State. A two-point conversion could tie things up at 21 with 4:00 to go.
The touchdown brought the score to 21-19. With the Bulldogs trailing by two points, they opted to go for the two point conversion but the pass went off the running back’s hands in the endzone.
The Bulldogs Missed Game-Winning Field Goal
Mississippi State were penalized for delay of game on third down. It made the field goal a 52-yard attempt rather than 47 yards. The kick was wide right and LSU escaped with a victory.
Preview
The Bulldogs are coming off a 34-16 road victory against Southern Miss.LSU continues to be an unknown for the 2015 season. Brandon Harris is the new starting quarterback and the Tigers hope Harris can provide a spark that was missing at the position last season. There was also changes made to the coaching staff. The Tigers hired Alabama’s linebacker’s coach Kevin Steele to replace John Chavis as defensive coordinator. Saturday night Tigers fans get to finally see if the changes pay off.