Fresh off their first shutout of the season, LSU took a road trip to the Plains to take on an Auburn team that was on top of the world. While a 31-0 victory over Mississippi St was certainly impressive for Lane Kiffin’s team last week, fellow first-year head coach, Alex Golesh, secured his first marquee win for his Tigers with a 27-24 upset win over the #1 ranked Georgia Bulldogs in Athens.With all of the momentum in the world, the question was whether or not they could stay hot against LSU or were they do for a hangover. Sam Leavitt and company did their part to make sure it was the latter, showing up in Jordan-Hare and dominating Auburn with an explosive offensive showing for a 38-17 victory. That score included a late touchdown by Golesh’s Tigers that made it look even closer than it actually was. The win improved LSU to 6-2 overall (3-2 SEC) and propels them in to their bye week for some much needed rest. Auburn dropped to 4-3 overall and now sit below .500 with a 2-3 record in the SEC. Kiffin’s team faces a two game gauntlet coming out of their bye as Alabama and Texas come to Baton Rouge in consecutive weeks for what will essentially be playoff elimination games. The Tigers carried over their momentum from their shutout win over the Bulldogs last week, racking up 552 yards of total offense, while only allowing 271 on defense. Leavitt was phenomenal, finishing 32-45 for a career-high 387 yards and 3 touchdowns through the air. Despite his compromised hamstring, he still found a way to add 54 yards rushing and another touchdown on the ground Jackson Harris continued his ascent as one of the top wide receivers in the SEC, delivering a 178 yard, 2 touchdown performance on 9 receptions. He’s been outstanding since week 4. In the first 3 weeks of the season, he only had 5 receptions for 117 yards and 0 TDs. Starting against Texas A&M in week 4, he now has 31 receptions for 517 yards and 7 TDs in five games. Leavitt needed someone to step up as his top target after Trey’Dez Green went down in that week 3 loss ot Ole Miss. Harris has done just that. Speaking of Green, he returned a couple of weeks earlier than anticipated. When the first injury report came out last Wednesday and he was noticeably absent, it came as a giant surprise. Everyone then began to wonder how recovered is he actually, and how much would he play. He was out there from the very beginning and ended up playing 49 of 83 offensive snaps, hauling in 5 receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown of his own. His return, along with Harris’s emergence, is exciting for Kiffin’s offense. Game Flow The explosion started slow, as it typically seems to do for this LSU offense. After Auburn went 3 and out on the opening possession, drove down for a field goal, which was answered by Golesh’s Tigers. Leavitt and the offense would then be off to the races from that point on, scoring their first of 4 touchdowns in the 1st half. While about to get drilled in the pocket, the Tiger quarterback hung in there and delivered a perfect throw over the middle for Harris’s first touchdown of the day to jump to a 10-7 lead. After three consecutive 3 and outs between both teams, LSU’s most impressive drive of the day came on a 14 play, 95 yard touchdown drive that was capped off with Green’s 15-yard score to go up 17-3. That drive included a gutsy 4th down conversion in their own territory on a beautifully drawn up trick play by Charlie Weis Jr. Auburn was finally able to answer, as Byrum Brown orchestrated an 11 play, 75 yard touchdown drive. His running ability was the biggest concern for Blake Baker’s defense going in to this game and he showed why with a 34-yard run to make it 17-10. With a little less than 6 minutes left in the first half, LSU had the chance to milk one final scoring drive before getting the ball to start the second half, but Harris had other plans. On a 3rd and 5, he caught the ball on a middle crossing route and turned on the jets to outrun two Auburn defenders on his way to a 70-yard touchdown, his second of the day. After another quick 3 and out for Brown and his offense, LSU then got their milked final drive, going 74 yards on 10 plays, capped off by Leavitt’s fourth touchdown, a 4-yard run to give his Tigers a 31-10 halftime lead. While scoring came to a halt in the 3rd quarter, it became the LSU defense show, as Baker’s unit smothered the Auburn offense. Golesh’s Tigers were only able to manage 67 rushing yards, far short of their 182 yard per game average. What the Tigers were able to do against Brown and his legs was a mirror of what they did to Marcel Reed a few weeks ago. The big Auburn QB finished with just 21 yards rushing on 19 carries and was sacked a whopping 6 times. He wasn’t much better through the air, finishing 15-24 for only 160 yards. Jordan Ross showed up big for the second week in a row, accounting for 2 of the sacks on Brown and 2.5 tackles for loss. The SEC’s second-leading sacker, Princewill Umanmielen, returned from his head injury that knocked him out of the Mississippi St game after just 7 plays and recorded a sack and 1.5 TFLs of his own. LSU’s final nail in the coffin came early in the 4th quarter on a 7 play, 67 yard drive that resulted in a 12-yard touchdown run by Dilin Jones. While Leavitt, Harris, and Green garnered much of the praise, and deservedly so, Jones produced yet another outstanding day on the ground. He finished with 92 rushing yards on 21 carries for a 4.4 yards per carry average, while adding 4 receptions for 27 yards. His touchdown made it 38-10. Auburn was able to get the garbage time touchdown after backup QB, Tristan Ti’a took over and scrambled for a 7-yard run to make it 38-17. The score came with just 24 seconds left in the game. Summary It was LSU’s most complete game of the year. Although the shutout over the Bulldogs was nice the week prior, it came against a backup quarterback and at home. This win at Auburn secured Kiffin’s first SEC road win as the head coach of the Tigers. It also snapped a 735 day streak since LSU’s last conference road win, which came on October 19, 2024 when the Tigers defeated Arkansas in Fayetteville. Kiffin’s team will head in to their bye week as preparations begin for a critical matchup in Tiger Stadium on November 7th. The #10 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide will travel to Baton Rouge for a 2:30 pm kickoff. With both teams sitting at 6-2, next Saturday is likely a playoff elimination game.

The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns suffered another heartbreaking loss on Saturday afternoon, falling 35-31 to the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Renasant Stadium in Hattiesburg. Despite holding a lead late in the fourth quarter, UL once again failed to finish a game, allowing Southern Miss to march down the field and score the game-winning touchdown with less than a minute remaining. Louisiana entered the matchup looking to build on its dominant 33-6 victory over Troy last weekend. Instead, the Cajuns delivered one of their most frustrating performances of the season against a Southern Miss team that entered Saturday with just one win. The loss drops Louisiana to 5-3 overall and 2-2 in Sun Belt play, with the chance of reaching the Sun Belt title game now being slim to none. Defense Gets Exposed on the Ground Just one week after putting together arguably its best defensive performance of the season against Troy, Louisiana’s defense took a significant step backward against Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles finished with 450 total yards, including a staggering 286 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Southern Miss averaged 6.7 yards per rushing attempt with two rushers running for over 140 yards each, consistently finding success against what a Louisiana defense that struggled to contain the Golden Eagles’ backfield. Running back Steven Robinson finished with 145 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries, scoring all three of his touchdowns in the first half. Jamarice Wilder was just as productive, rushing for 154 yards on only 13 carries, including the 16-yard game-winning touchdown with 58 seconds remaining. For comparison, this same Louisiana defense held Troy to just 126 rushing yards a week ago, who rushed for 437 yards against Southern Miss a couple weeks ago. The difference in performance from that standpoint alone is concerning, especially considering Southern Miss entered the game struggling to find success offensively. What makes the defensive performance even more frustrating is that Southern Miss didn’t necessarily need their explosive passing attack to win. Quarterback Landry Lyddy finished with 164 passing yards and no touchdowns. The Golden Eagles were able to move the football primarily by running it, and Louisiana simply couldn’t find a consistent answer. The Cajuns also struggled to get off the field in important situations. Southern Miss converted four of its seven fourth-down attempts, including a devastating fourth-and-one late in the game when Wilder broke free for 28 yards to set up the winning touchdown. Then the self-inflicted mistakes. In the second quarter, an offsides penalty on Louisiana turned a fourth-and-six into a fourth-and-one, which Southern Miss converted before eventually scoring another touchdown. Jake St. Andre led the Cajuns with 11 tackles and a sack, while Lake Bates finished with a career-high 10 tackles. Kody Jackson added nine tackles and a fumble recovery, but the individual defensive efforts weren’t enough to overcome the unit’s struggles. This defense showed against Troy that it is capable of controlling a football game. Saturday’s performance was a disappointing reminder of just how inconsistent it has been. Passing Game Surges in Second Half, but a Costly Mistake Changes Everything One of the few encouraging developments from Saturday was Louisiana’s improvement through the air in the second half. After throwing for just 70 yards against Troy last weekend, quarterback Lunch Winfield bounced back with a career-high 299 passing yards, completing 22 of 41 attempts with two touchdowns and one interception. The Cajuns started the afternoon in the best way they could, putting together a 13-play, 75-yard opening drive that lasted half a quarter and ended with a five-yard touchdown run from Winfield. The Cajuns defense then forced a three and out and got the ball right back, making it seem like they were on their way to put up a stellar game performance. But that wasn’t necessarily the case. Southern Miss orchestrated a seven-play, 67 yard drive in just three minutes for a touchdown. Louisiana later answered a 14-7 deficit when JJ Garner broke free for a 42-yard touchdown run, tying the game in the second quarter. Then trailing 21-14 late in the first half, Winfield connected with Trenton Chaney for a four-yard touchdown with just 31 seconds remaining, sending the teams into halftime tied at 21. Louisiana eventually took a 28-21 lead late in the third quarter when Winfield found Anthony Reagan Jr. for a 31-yard touchdown. At that point, the Cajuns appeared to have gained control of the game, particularly with the defense holding Southern Miss scoreless throughout the third quarter. Unfortunately, that momentum disappeared early in the fourth. With Louisiana still leading 28-21, Winfield threw an interception that Southern Miss defensive back Kolby Peavy returned 30 yards for a touchdown, tying the game at 28 with 10:05 remaining. It was undoubtedly one of the biggest turning points of the afternoon. Instead of forcing Southern Miss to put together another scoring drive, Louisiana handed the Golden Eagles seven points. Winfield deserves credit for making some important throws throughout the game, particularly after the passing game’s struggles against Troy. However, mistakes like that become incredibly difficult to overcome in closely contested conference games. Unfortunately this wasn’t the first time this season, as similar mistakes cost the Cajuns the game against Louisiana Tech a couple weeks ago on the road. Louisiana finished with only 118 rushing yards, its lowest total of the season. Southern Miss came into this game allowing 252 yards per game, the second worst in the country. Garner led the way with 52 yards on seven carries, continuing his streak of five consecutive games with a rushing touchdown. The improvement in the passing game was encouraging, but the Cajuns couldn’t combine that production with the rushing success they had established in previous weeks. Lunch Winfield himself was shut down on the ground by the Golden Eagles, finishing with only seven yards on 13 carries. It’s ever since the USC road game, Winfield has struggled on the ground when on the road, and it was no different on Saturday. Another Fourth-Quarter Collapse The most frustrating part of Saturday’s loss was how Louisiana once again handled the final minutes of a close game on the road. Following Winfield’s interception, the Cajuns responded with an impressive 17-play, 74-yard drive that consumed seven minutes and eight seconds of game clock. Louisiana moved the football all the way to the Southern Miss five-yard line, but the drive stalled after an incomplete pass on third down. Tony Sterner connected on a 22-yard field goal to give the Cajuns a 31-28 lead with 2:51 remaining. While the drive was impressive in terms of controlling possession and moving the football, settling for three points instead of seven proved costly. Southern Miss needed a touchdown to win, and Louisiana’s defense had an opportunity to close out the game. The Golden Eagles marched 75 yards in just eight plays, taking only one minute and 53 seconds off the clock. The Cajuns force fourth down on the Louisiana 44-yard line. With an opportunity to end the drive and essentially secure the victory, the Cajuns allowed Wilder to break free for 28 yards, setting Southern Miss up deep in Louisiana territory. Two plays later, Wilder found the end zone from 16 yards out, giving Southern Miss a 35-31 lead with just 58 seconds remaining. Louisiana had one final opportunity following a 46-yard kickoff return by Ja’Corian Norris, but the offense failed to move the football beyond its own 47-yard line before turning it over on downs. Poor play-calling and offensive execution once again in a late game situation turned another potential victory into another devastating loss. A Frustrating Loss with Bigger Implications The most disappointing takeaway from Saturday isn’t simply that Louisiana lost another close game. It’s that the Cajuns continue to put themselves in positions to win football games, only to come away empty-handed when it matters most. As I kept mentioning, Louisiana suffered a similar loss in Ruston when they lost a heartbreaker to Louisiana Tech 32-31. They were up 31-19 with 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter against the Bulldogs, only to give it up after poor defensive play and poor offensive play calling. Now, the Cajuns have lost another game in the final minute in similar fashion, this time against a Southern Miss team that entered the matchup with a 1-5 record. These are the kinds of games that can ultimately determine whether a team competes for a conference championship or spends the remainder of its season wondering what could have been. And it certainly looks like the latter will be the case. Louisiana will now have to win these last four games, as well as hope that Louisiana Tech loses 3 of their remaining 4 games, in order to make the Sun Belt title game. Knowing the Bulldogs are 4-0 in the Sun Belt and have been playing really good in their first SBC season, it seems unlikely the Cajuns has any chances left. There’s plenty of blame to go around. The defense allowed nearly 300 rushing yards and failed to make critical stops. The offense gave Southern Miss a defensive touchdown and couldn’t finish its final scoring drive in the end zone. Louisiana also went 0-for-3 on fourth-down attempts while allowing Southern Miss to convert four of seven. It’s difficult to point to any one mistake as the reason Louisiana lost. The reality is that multiple mistakes throughout the afternoon contributed to an outcome that should have been avoided. Fifth-year head coach Michael Desormeaux in his postgame interview told the media: “We didn’t play well enough to win…Too many mental mistakes and critical errors.” It’s becoming a season of what-ifs, simply put. Unfortunately, we have seen this time and time under head coach Michael Desormeaux. It is leading to a lot of questions and frustration being voiced by the fan base, and rightly so. The fanbase (and the program) needs more than just another bowl game appearance, and assuming things go the way they’re projected to go, unfortunately it won’t be that way once again this season. Louisiana will have a much-needed bye week before returning home to face South Alabama on November 7 at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium. The extra week provides an opportunity to address the mistakes that have continued to cost this team. But at some point, those corrections have to translate into results on the field. Saturday wasn’t a game Louisiana lost because Southern Miss was overwhelmingly more talented. It was a game the Cajuns had multiple opportunities to win and simply failed to finish. And unfortunately, that’s becoming an all-too-familiar story this season.

The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns are on the road this weekend as they prepare to face the Southern Miss Golden Eagles in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Saturday afternoon. The game is set for a 4pm kickoff from Carlisle-Faulkner Field at Renasant Stadium and will be streamed on ESPN+. The History of the Matchup Louisiana and Southern Miss have traded blows a total of 56 times dating back to 1923, with the Golden Eagles holding a 43-12-1 edge over the Cajuns all-time. Southern Miss has won 12 of the last 13 meetings, with Louisiana’s lone victory during that stretch coming in 2024 in Hattiesburg. The two programs have played annually since the Golden Eagles joined the Sun Belt Conference in 2022. Although Louisiana and Southern Miss are relatively recent Sun Belt Conference rivals, the two programs share a conference history dating back nearly a century. The schools previously competed together in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association from 1931 to 1941 and the Gulf States Conference from 1948 to 1951. The Cajuns (Bulldogs at the time) never defeated Southern Miss during either stint, with their only non-loss coming in a scoreless tie in 1941. That said, this matchup means a lot for both programs. Southern Miss looks to continue its dominant success over Louisiana, while the Cajuns are looking to put an end to it. Fortunately this season, UL will enter this matchup with the upper hand. The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns This Season Louisiana enters this matchup 5-2 overall and 2-1 in the conference. The Cajuns defeated Troy 33-6 last Saturday in Lafayette behind a dominating defensive performance, allowing the Trojans to enter the red zone just once throughout the game, which resulted in a missed field goal. The ground game paved the way for UL’s offense with 243 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Lunch Winfield led the Cajuns with 65 rushing yards. Louisiana finished with 351 total yards of offense, but the more impressive statistic may have been its ability to control possession. The Cajuns held the football for more than 36 minutes and converted 10 of their 17 third-down opportunities. A 16-play, 91-yard touchdown drive that consumed over eight minutes in the third quarter highlighted that performance. It was a much-needed win for the Cajuns, who lost in heartbreaking fashion to the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs the weekend prior. The victory moved Louisiana into a tie for second place in the Sun Belt West Division at 2-1, trailing Louisiana Tech who currently sit at 2-0 in conference play. Through seven games, Louisiana is averaging 30 points and 378 yards of offense per contest, including 200 rushing yards. Winfield continues to be an important piece of the Cajuns’ offense, leading the team with 463 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns while also throwing for 1,153 yards. It has not been his passing game as much as it has been his rushing game that has made his special, but nonetheless, the redshirt junior quarterback has been the heart and soul of this entire Cajuns offense. Defensively, the Cajuns have been equally impressive, allowing just 19.3 points and 298 total yards per game. Louisiana has also forced 14 turnovers this season. They’ve been exceptionally tremendous at home, with 20 points against Arkansas State being the most they’ve allowed so far through four home games, all resulting in wins. Kneaux the Opponent: Southern Miss Golden Eagles Southern Miss enters Saturday’s matchup with a disappointing 1-5 overall record and an 0-2 mark in conference play. The Golden Eagles opened their season with a commanding 49-3 victory over Alcorn State but have since dropped five consecutive games, including losses to Troy and Arkansas State to begin Sun Belt play. The Golden Eagles are coming off a 23-13 home loss to Arkansas State last Saturday. Southern Miss struggled to establish offensive consistency throughout the contest, finishing with just 289 total yards. Arkansas State controlled the pace of the game, possessing the football for more than 40 minutes and limiting Southern Miss to fewer than 20 minutes of possession. Despite the loss, Southern Miss showed signs of improvement defensively after allowing 662 yards and 55 points to Troy the week prior. The Golden Eagles recorded four sacks and held Arkansas State to 304 total yards while forcing the Red Wolves to kick three field goals inside the 30. On the season, Southern Miss is averaging 24.2 points and 394.5 yards of offense per game, with much of that production coming through the passing attack. Quarterback Landry Lyddy has thrown for 1,032 yards and seven touchdowns, while wide receiver Mario Sanders leads the receiving corps with 492 yards. Running back Steven Robinson has also been a contributor, totaling 432 rushing yards and five touchdowns. However, the biggest concern for Southern Miss has been its defense. The Golden Eagles are allowing 32.7 points and 446.7 total yards per game, both bottom 15 marks in the FBS. Opposing offenses have found particular success running the football, averaging 252 rushing yards per contest against Southern Miss, including a 437 rushing yard performance by Troy. Turnovers have also been a concern, with the Golden Eagles throwing nine interceptions through six games. Southern Miss will look to turn things around in front of its home crowd Saturday, as the contest will also serve as the program’s Homecoming game. Keys to the Game 1. Establish the Ground Game It seems like it’s the key to this Cajuns offense every week, and it’ll be no different on Saturday. This is perhaps the biggest advantage Louisiana has entering Saturday. The Cajuns are averaging a nice 200.3 rushing yards per game, while Southern Miss is surrendering an average of 252 yards on the ground, the second worst in the nation. Louisiana has demonstrated its ability to move the football with multiple rushing threats, particularly in last Saturday’s performance against Troy. Winfield, JJ Garner, Anthony Reagan Jr. and Steven Blanco all rushed for at least 50 yards against the Trojans. If the Cajuns can find that same success in Hattiesburg, they should be able to control the pace of the game, extend possessions and keep the Southern Miss offense off the field. 2. Limit the Golden Eagles’ Passing Attack Despite their struggles this season, Southern Miss has shown that it can move the football through the air. The Golden Eagles are averaging 260.8 passing yards per game, making their passing attack one of the more productive aspects of their offense. Louisiana’s defense has been one of its strengths this season, allowing just 194 passing yards per game. However, the Cajuns will need to be disciplined in coverage and prevent Lyddy from connecting with Sanders and the rest of the receiving corps for explosive plays. The last time UL faced a passing game this productive was against USC, where Maiava threw for 261 yards and five touchdowns. Obviously, USC and Southern Miss are two completely different schools who are playing on two completely different levels, but this isn’t something the Cajuns want to overlook. Southern Miss will want to expose your secondary. Southern Miss’ offense gets immobilized very quickly when the passing game is slowed down. That said, forcing them either into must-throw and long situations, or shutting down the pass game enough to force them to run, will be important in order to keep the Golden Eagles at bay. 3. Win the Turnover Battle and Control Possession This is another key that UL finds itself surrounded with every week. Louisiana has done an impressive job of forcing turnovers and limiting opposing teams’ opportunities on offense. The Cajuns have forced 14 turnovers this season, while Southern Miss has struggled with interceptions and consistency. On the flip side, UL has found itself turning over the ball in many key situations throughout the season, which was the main reason why they lost against Louisiana Tech. Coach Michael Desormeaux has even voiced his frustration in regard to those turnovers. Fortunately, the team limited those turnovers by having zero last week against Troy, so they are trending in the right direction. Time of possession could also play a major factor. Louisiana is averaging more than 33 minutes of possession per game, compared to just under 26 minutes for Southern Miss. If the Cajuns can protect the football and sustain long drives, as they did against Troy, it could be a long afternoon for the Golden Eagles’ defense. What to Watch For One interesting storyline entering Saturday involves the familiarity between the two head coaches. Southern Miss head coach Blake Anderson previously served as Louisiana’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2007, when current Cajuns head coach Michael Desormeaux was playing quarterback for the program. During his weekly press conference Monday, Anderson spoke highly of Desormeaux and the identity he has established within the Louisiana football program, describing the Cajuns as a physical team that plays hard-nosed football. Another factor worth watching is how Louisiana handles playing away from home. The Cajuns are undefeated in Lafayette this season but have struggled to find the same consistency on the road, where they currently hold a 1-2 record, with the lone win against a struggling Charlotte team. With Southern Miss celebrating Homecoming and looking to snap its losing streak, Louisiana cannot afford to overlook the Golden Eagles simply because of their record. It’s also a game the Cajuns simply cannot afford to lose if they want to stay in the conference championship race. Final Score Prediction: Louisiana 31, Southern Miss 24 Louisiana enters this matchup as the more complete football team, particularly when comparing the two defenses and their ability to control the ground game. The Cajuns’ rushing offense presents a difficult challenge for a Southern Miss defense that has struggled to stop opposing teams this season. That said, I don’t see a reason why the Cajuns can’t control this game. But with this matchup seemingly being a regional rivalry, the two teams always seem to keep it close as of lately, which is why I only have UL winning this game by seven. Not to mention it is Southern Miss’ homecoming game. In what should be a hard-fought game, Louisiana’s ability to sustain drives and control possession could ultimately prove to be the deciding factor in who wins this game. That said, Southern Miss is not an opponent that should be overlooked. The Golden Eagles have a capable passing attack and will be playing with plenty of motivation in front of their home crowd. However, if Louisiana can establish its rushing attack early, limit explosive plays through the air and avoid costly turnovers, UL should have enough to leave Hattiesburg with at least a victory, if not a convincing one. A win would move Louisiana to 6-2 overall and 3-1 in conference play (and the SBC West), keeping the Cajuns in the thick of the Sun Belt West Division race heading into their bye week. For a Louisiana program looking to build on its momentum following the victory over Troy, Saturday presents another opportunity to prove that the Cajuns can be a legitimate contender in the Sun Belt West Division. It won’t come easy, but the Cajuns should have what it takes to ruin homecoming weekend in Hattiesburg.

It was a tale of two halves and a story of two sides of the football. While the defense picked up where they left off against Clemson a week ago and put on another dominant performance, things did not go as smoothly for the offense. The first half was littered with mistakes, sloppiness, and overall poor play. While the LSU offense faltered, turning the ball over four times in the first half, the defense picked them up. Louisiana Tech had 0 total yards at halftime, along with -20 rushing yards. That marks the second week in a row in which they’ve held their opponent to negative rushing yards in a half. Sam Leavitt made quite a few mistakes, but he owned up to them. He said after the game that he was trying to do too much and was attempting to put the team on his back following some red zone inefficiency. To his credit, he cleaned it up in the second half and went back to work. All in all, it may seem strange to nitpick a 31-point win. We watched almost the same exact game a year ago when the Bulldogs came to Tiger Stadium in week 2 of the 2025 season. Brian Kelly’s team stumbled to a 23-7 victory, but was also very ugly. The positive news is that while the Tigers played equally ugly in this one, they’re improved enough where an ugly win leads to a 45-14 score.  Game Flow For the second straight week, LSU got the ball first and failed to get anything going. A quick 3-and-out forced a Grant Chadwick punt for LA Tech’s first possession. As they did a week ago, Blake Baker’s defense forced a 3-and-out of their own, capped off with Deuce Geralds’s first sack of his career. Sam Leavitt used both his arm and legs on the ensuing drive with multiple gains of 17 yards, including a strike to Winnie Watkins and a scramble down in to the red zone. The drive stalled, though, leading to a Scott Starzyk 29-yard field goal to give LSU a 3-0 lead. A quick 3-and-out would get the ball right back to the Tigers and that’s where they found their first explosive play of the night. Leavitt hit Jackson Harris for a huge gain of 42 yards to get the ball down to the LA Tech 2 yard line. Two plays later, he used his legs and LSU jumped out to a 10-0 lead. TJ Dottery initiated what would be the first of two forced fumbles, giving his team great field position at the Bulldogs 41 yard line, but it did not amount to anything. Every offensive possession in the 2 nd quarter resulted in a 3-and-out for LA Tech with the exception of time expiring going in to halftime. LSU gave them plenty of opportunities, though, because it was a nightmare of a quarter for Lane Kiffin’s offense. First, it was a Eugene Wilson III fumble after a nice catch and run, followed by Leavitt’s first interception on an overthrow to Trey’Dez Green. The offensive production had halted for the Tigers, but that was starting to turn around after the back-to-back turnovers. Leavitt had completions of 15, 24, and 15 yards to Green as LSU drove right down the field to set up a 1 st and goal from the 2 yard line. Consecutive plays of -2 yards set up a 3 rd and goal from the 6 and that’s when the entire first half got flipped on it’s head. Leavitt threw a quick slant to Harris, but Jordan McRae picked it off and took it back 100 yards for a return touchdown and what looked to be a 17-0 lead for LSU, quickly turned in to a 10-7 head scratcher. Once again, Kiffin’s offense came right back out and started marching down the field with big completions to Harris and Green. Coming out of a timeout with 39 seconds left in the half and facing a 3 rd and 8 at LA Tech’s 14 yard line, Leavitt threw his third interception of the quarter and Tiger Stadium had become frustrated. Sounds of soft groans and a few boos rained down as the teams went to the locker room. The Bulldogs came out and went 3-and-out for the sixth time, followed by a shanked punt that set LSU up with more great starting field position. Dilin Jones finally broke free after a rough first half of 10 carries for 3 yards. He busted a 46-yard run to get down to the LA Tech 2 yard line. Unfortunately, the redzone issues persisted. The next three plays went for -1, 0, and -8 yards and the Tigers had to settle for a 25-yard Starzyk field goal to make it 13-7. At the 9:34 mark of the 3 rd quarter, LA Tech finally got their 1 st first down thanks to a DJ Pickett pass interference. Two plays later, they got another one on a Princewill Umanmielen roughing the passer. LSU would eventually force a 4 th and 5 conversion attempt that was a deep shot over Dashawn Spears’s head, but he recovered and broke it up to get the ball back to the Tigers. Needing to get some rhythm, LSU quickly found themselves behind the chains thanks to a false start and another negative Jones rush. But, as he did all night, Trey’Dez Green stepped up and made a 23-yard reception. Three plays later, Leavitt bounced outside to green grass on a designed QB run for his second rushing touchdown of the night to give the Tigers some breathing room. A two-point conversion made it 21-7. Spears’s good night continued on the next drive as he blasted Blake Baker coming off of the edge, forcing a floated pass right in to the waiting arms of Pickett. LSU, again, had to settle for a Starzyk field goal for a 24-7 lead. Following another Bulldog 3-and-out, Charlie Weis Jr dialed up a new wrinkle that had yet to be seen. On a 3 rd and 1, he lined up Green in the backfield for a direct snap to get the conversion. The very next play showed Leavitt’s improvisation skills on full display, as he scrambled to his right and bought just enough time to point for Wilson III to go deep. The Florida transfer made an incredible over the shoulder catch for a 53-yard gain, which led to Leavitt’s third rushing touchdown of the night on the next play. It was 31-7 and LSU fans were finally feeling better, although it took much longer than anticipated. LA Tech responded with their first self-generated first down of the night, but two players later, freshman Deuce Geralds added to his incredible performance by ripping the ball out of Jalen Mickens’s hands as he was being held up by Ty Benefield. The recovery and return by Jhase Thomas set the Tigers up with an immediate redzone possession at the 20 yard line and just when it looked like they were set to stall out, again, Leavitt hit Green for his first touchdown catch of the season to make it a 38-7 game. With the reserves coming in on defense for Blake Baker, they stumbled, once again. Mickens caught a ball up the seam and shot out of a canon for a 67-yard touchdown. That makes for back-to-back weeks that the 2’s and 3’s caved late in the game. After the teams traded a few punts, Landen Clark entered the game and showed a nice rappoire with Tyree Holoway. The two connected for passes of 21 and 16 yards, followed by a 7-yard touchdown run by Clark to finish off the scoring and make it a 45-14 game and that would be the final score. Conclusion While far from pretty, the ultimate goal is to stay healthy and win the game. LSU did both of those things and now sits at 2-0 with a massive game on the way. The Tigers will hit the road for the first time in 2026 for the game everyone around the country has been waiting for since last November. It’s LSU vs Ole Miss for Lane Kiffin’s return to Oxford. The Rebels are off to a 2-0 start of their own, following a last-minute victory in week 1 over Louisville and a thrashing of Charlotte this week. The Tigers are currently -2.5 point favorites, but will have to play much cleaner football as they head to an extremely hostile environment. Full preview for the game will be coming later this week, so stay tuned in here at The Kneaux!

The wait is nearly over. It's been 277 days since LSU hired Lane Kiffin as their head football coach. We've gone through the drama over his Ole Miss departure, a wild transfer portal period, spring practice with questions about Sam Leavitt, and now the ongoing lawsuits to make class of 2022 players eligible once again. A book could be written about Kiffin's time at LSU and there hasn't even been a football game, yet. We’re less than 48 hours away from kickoff between LSU and Clemson. Both teams are looking to bounce back from incredibly disappointing seasons in 2025. For LSU, they fired Brian Kelly and hired the aforementioned, Lane Kiffin. His entire offensive staff including offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr followed him to Baton Rouge and will look to bring their success at Ole Miss with them. The Rebels offense was ranked 1st in the SEC in total offense with 489.7 yards per game and 3rd in scoring with 36.9 points per game. Blake Baker is back for his third season as the Tigers defensive coordinator. He turned down opportunities to be a head coach at both Tulane and Memphis this offseason, citing his desire to bring a title to LSU. His defense was good in 2025, but should see even more improvement thanks to a few key additions. Baker’s unit ranked 6th in the SEC in total defense, allowing 328.7 yards per game. As for scoring defense, they finished 5th by only allowing 19.8 points per game. There’s a ton of turnover for the Clemson offense. The departure of veteran quarterback Cade Klubnik is the biggest of all. Chad Morris now takes over as offensive coordinator, which is his second stint in the position and third overall at the school. He was previously the OC between 2011-2014 and then returned, again, as an offensive analyst in 2023. He is calling plays for the first time since being the OC at Auburn, following two years as head coach of Arkansas. As for Clemson’s offense in 2025, they finished 9th in the ACC in total offense with 392.2 yards per game and 11th in scoring with 27.2 points per game. Tom Allen is entering his 2nd season as the defensive coordinator for the Tigers. He was head coach of Indiana for 7 years between 2017-2023, then spent a year at Penn St as DC in 2024, before making it to Clemson a year ago. His unit was a solid one, but they lost a ton of talent across their defense. In 2025, they ranked 8th in the ACC with 356.7 yards per game allowed and 3rd in scoring with 20.5 points per game. LSU Offense vs Clemson Defense Passing Game LSU’s prized addition was quarterback Sam Leavitt. After starting for two years at Arizona St and leading the Sun Devils to the inaugural 12-team playoff in 2024 as a redshirt freshman, he battle a Lisfranc injury that hobbled him for most of 2025. He’s reportedly back to 100% after surgery and a full offseason of rehab and set to pioneer the Kiffin/Weis Jr offense. In his two seasons at Arizona St, he threw for 4,513 yards with 34 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. He also ran for 749 yards and another 10 touchdowns. He’s dynamic and the key to LSU’s success relies on his ability to stay healthy. As for who he’ll be throwing to, that’s a big mystery. His options are clear, but who emerges from the Tigers crop of wide receivers is the question. LSU added 10 receivers in the transfer portal. Guys like Jayce Brown (Kansas St), Jackson Harris (Hawaii), Tre Brown (Old Dominion), Eugene Wilson (Florida), and Winston Watkins (Ole Miss) seem like the most likely candidates to lead the way for the receiving core. The only non-question in terms of pass catchers is tight-end Trey’Dez Green. The 6’7 freak of nature is back for his junior year and highly expected to dominate and become a top NFL draft pick in April of 2027. Despite a putrid offense in 2025, Green was able to haul in 33 receptions for 433 yards and 7 touchdowns. He will, without a doubt, be the go-to target. Now wearing the infamous #7, Green is expected to have a big year. Clemson had been blessed for years with two separate stints of Terrells at cornerback. Younger brother, Avion Terrell, spent the past three seasons with the Tigers, becoming a 2nd round pick by the Falcons in this past NFL Draft. His departure has left Clemson with a hole at CB1. Ashton Hampton seems like the most likely candidate to fill that spot, entering his 3rd season in the program. He’s coming off of a solid sophomore season in which he had 10 pass breakups and an interception. Elliot Washington is most likely to line up opposite of Hampton. He transferred after 3 seasons with Penn St. While he has a ton of experience by playing in 36 games, he’s only made a single start. There’s a trio of safeties that are likely to see the field. Corey Myrick transferred over from Southern Miss after a phenomenal sophomore season in which he recorded 92 tackles, 4 pass breakups, and 2 interceptions. Senior Ronan Hanafin started 5 games last season and totaled 64 tackles with 5 pass breakups and an interceptions. They’ll be joined by Jerome Carter III, who transferred in after two seasons at Old Dominion. In 2025, he started 12 games and recorded 75 tackles with 2 pass breakups and 6 interceptions. LSU’s ability to protect Leavitt will be paramount. The other prize from the portal was left tackle Jordan Seaton. He is likely to line up across from Will Heldt, Clemson’s senior defensive end and sacks leader from a year ago. After two years at Purdue, Heldt transferred over and racked up 7.5 sacks in 2025. Running Game Running back may LSU’s deepest position, especially at the top. Dilin Jones has transferred in from Wisconsin and seemingly taken full control of the top spot. He was the starter for the Badgers, but went down with turf toe after just 7 games. Harlem Berry and Caden Durham return for the Tigers and look to find much more success in the new scheme after the struggles under Joe Sloan. Frank Wilson’s rotation left a lot to be desired, making it hard for either back to get much of a rhythm and amassing just 996 yards and 5 touchdowns combined. Clemson’s leader is linebacker Sammy Brown. He delivers constant production, racking up 106 tackles with 13 for loss and 5 sacks a year ago. He’ll be in the #47 and active all over the field. He’ll be joined by Jeremiah Alexander, who is entering his 2nd season with the Tigers after three years at Alabama. The interior of the defensive line has been rebuilt following a few key departures after last season. Amare Adams played sparingly as a true freshman, but looks to step in to a prominent role this year. He’ll likely be joined by Andy Burburija, the transfer from community college where he racked up 78 tackles with 27.5 for loss and 14 sacks. His ability to elevate his game to a FBS level will be key. LSU’s offensive line was abysmal a year ago, but all indications point to severe improvement under 1st year offensive line coach Eric Wolford. Seaton and Aliou Bah are the two newcomers, but despite the struggles under Brad Davis, three of the starters will be returners. Center Braelin Moore was good in 2025, but played hurt after injuring his ankle on the first series in week 2. Bo Borderlon has emerged after 4 years in the LSU program and will start at left guard. Weston Davis struggled mightily as a full time starter, but his raw ability and size point to a special player somewhere in there. Wofford hopes to unlock that ability and round out his starting line at right tackles. LSU Defense vs Clemson Offense Passing Game As good as Baker’s defense was in 2025, they were missing one key component. An every down pass rusher. They brought Princewill Umanmielen over from Ole Miss with his 9.0 sacks, immediately upgrading the defense as a whole. Dylan Carpenter and Jordan Ross are likely to rotate at the other defensive end position. PJ Woodland started all 13 games a season ago and truly blossomed in to a good cornerback with 9 pass breakups and 2 interceptions. Former 5-star stud DJ Pickett steps in to the other starting cornerback position, giving the Tigers a great 1-2 punch. Safety is where LSU is deep in the secondary. They added Ty Benefield from Boise St, who has the ability to do everything. He’s already been compared to Tyrann Mathieu by the Honey Badger himself. In two seasons as a starter with the Broncos, Benefield totaled 235 tackles with 18 for loss, 17 pass breakups and 5 interceptions. He’ll be joined by a rotation of Tamarcus Cooley and Jhase Thomas at the other safety position. Cooley played over 700 snaps a year ago, but the emergence of Thomas during training camp was one of the biggest storylines. Dashawn Spears will play the star position, which is typically an extra defender in the box that can be flexible with his assignment. He’ll be the first safety to fill the role following two years of Harold Perkins for Baker, which may help with coverage ability. As mentioned earlier, Clemson is replacing their multi-year starter at quarterback. Christopher Vizzina won the job over talented freshman Tait Reynolds, but expect to see a mix of both every now and then. Vizzina has been around the program for 3 years, but has played sparingly behind Klubnik. He’s made one start and it came at home against SMU in 2025, in which he played extremely well. He went 29-42 for 317 yards and 3 touchdowns with no turnovers. Saturday night will be his first road start, though. Thankfully for him, he has plenty of experience at the receiver position to lean on. Both TJ Moore and Bryant Wesco Jr return as starters from a year ago. Moore finished with 52 receptions for 837 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Wesco recorded 31 receptions for 537 yards and 6 touchdowns in just 7 games played. Tristan Smith Jr is a 5th-year senior that will provide even more experience as a 3rd or 4th receiver. Keep an eye out for Naeem Burroughs, a 4-star freshman who was highly ranked out of high school. Chad Morris does like to use his tight ends, so look for them to get Christian Bentancur involved, as well. He had 20 receptions for 215 yards and 3 touchdowns a year ago. This particular matchup could decide the entire game. Vizzina is stepping in to what would be a dangerous environment for just about any quarterback, much less one that’s making his first road start and just his second overall. The battle between a very good LSU secondary and some productive, experience Clemson wide receivers will be an important one. Morris will likely utilize a lot of quick routes to get the ball out of his vulnerable quarterback’s hands as quickly as possible. Running Game You’d be hard pressed to find a better linebacker duo than what LSU will be putting out on to the field this year. Whit Weeks has been a constant in his 3 seasons as a Tiger and they basically cloned him. TJ Dottery transferred over from Ole Miss and can do everything Weeks can do. He led the SEC in tackles in 2025 with 98. He had 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. Weeks was banged up for much of the year and even when he was on the field during the second half of the season, he was severely hindered by his ankle injury. There’s no question what he can do when healthy, though, totaling 205 tackles with 16.5 for loss and 5 sacks over his career. Both have experience as the quarterback of the defense and have experience wearing the green dot communication helmet. Along with Trey’Dez Green, Weeks was awarded #7, making it the first time the number has been worn by two players at a time. Up front helping clog the middle will be a combination of 5-star freshman and former 5-star Dom McKinley, now a junior. Deuce Geralds and Richard Anderson are both freaks up front, as proven by how quickly they have found their way to the field. Clemson struggled to run the ball in 2025 as the 11th best team in the ACC and now they go forward without their top running back. With Adam Randall gone, Gideon Davidson takes over as the starter. He had just 260 yards on 60 carries a year ago as a freshman, but has yet to find the end zone. Next behind him is Chris Johnson Jr, a transfer from SMU. He had 479 yards and averaged a whopping 7.1 yards per carry last year, cashing in 4 touchdowns. The best way to help a young quarterback is with a rushing attack, but that is as big of a question as Vizzina. Chad Morris’s gameplan and how he decides to attack this excellent Blake Baker defense will be a sight to behold. Clemson has 4 new starters on the offensive line, which adds to the unknown. Senior Harris Sewell is the only returner and has moved from guard to center. Prediction There is so much newness on both sides of this matchup to kickoff the 2026 season. New quarterbacks, new coordinators, new skill position players, new guys in the trenches, and for LSU, the new head coach. That’s not super surprising when two teams that have each won a national championship in the past 10 years ends up going 7-5. It’s likely that Clemson is being undervalued to some extent. All of the hype is around LSU and that’s understandable given the circumstances. It’s not empty hype, though. Lane Kiffin is a hell of a coach. Whether you like him or not, you have to admit that. Between his ability to turn an SEC program around and the resources that have delivered him anything and everything he needs since taking the job, it’s hard to pick against LSU until we’re given reason to be wary. On top of the X’s and O’s, the environment in Death Valley on Saturday is going to be special. It’s already been reported that over 900 media/celebrity credentials were given out, making it the most credentialed game in the history of Tiger Stadium. The excitement is palpable. It’s hard to envision a scenario in which LSU doesn’t kick off the Kiffin era with a bang. All signs point towards a fun future for the Tigers and that will start on Saturday night as they cruise to victory. LSU – 31 Clemson - 13

How X Games Found Its Perfect Match in New Orleans

HOUSTON, Texas - If there was one message SLU wanted to send at the 2026 Southland Conference Opening Drive, it was simple: the Lions aren't rebuilding. They're reloading. Representing SLU at media day were head coach Frank Scelfo, starting quarterback Kyle Lowe, and senior defensive lineman Peyton Anderson. Across multiple interviews and media sessions, one theme consistently emerged above all else: culture. Whether discussing leadership, recruiting, player development, or expectations for the upcoming season, the trio repeatedly returned to the same idea. At SLU, everyone is expected to protect the team, push one another, and focus on the little details that ultimately separate good teams from championship teams. A New-Look Team With Familiar Expectations SLU enters the 2026 season looking much different than last year's squad after replacing a senior class of 26 players. Despite the younger roster, Scelfo made it clear that the expectations of the program haven't changed. "You can expect to see an explosive, talented team," Scelfo said, adding that fans will see more players rotating into meaningful roles thanks to the depth the coaching staff has built. The Lions have posted the conference's best record over the past two seasons, and Scelfo believes the next wave of talent is ready to continue that success. Building Through Louisiana During the coaches' roundtable, Scelfo doubled down on SLU's recruiting philosophy. While NIL has become a valuable tool to fill immediate needs, he emphasized that high school recruiting remains the heartbeat of the program. SLU signed 28 players in its most recent recruiting class, the largest class in the Southland Conference, knowing today's college football landscape means some players may eventually move on through the transfer portal. "We'll continue recruiting high school players," Scelfo explained. "We might lose them after three or four years, but that's just the nature of the beast." Unlike many conference rivals that recruit heavily in Texas, SLU continues to build primarily from Louisiana, particularly Southeast Louisiana. As the easternmost football member of the Southland Conference, the Lions have found success by keeping local talent close to home. That philosophy became even more relevant during a discussion about recruiting footprints. East Texas A&M head coach Clint Dolezel praised Texas as the premier recruiting state in the country, referring to it as the "king" of high school football recruiting. He also highlighted Florida and California while failing to even acknowledge Louisiana. Dolezel went on to tout the benefits of hosting the Southland Conference Media Day in Houston, all but suggesting Louisiana schools should be thankful for the opportunity to recruit in Texas' backyard. That sentiment didn't sit uncontested. Northwestern State head coach Blaine McCorkle quickly came to Louisiana's defense. "Per capita there is no more passion and talent than the state of Louisiana," McCorkle said, adding that Louisiana has produced more NFL players per capita over the past 40 years than any other state. For a program like SLU that has built its roster around Louisiana talent, the exchange reinforced the recruiting identity Scelfo has embraced. The results only speak for themselves. While ETAMU has managed only 5 wins over the past 2 seasons, SLU has won 13 over that same timespan along with an FCS Playoff berth this past year. Protect the Team No phrase was repeated more throughout the day than "Protect the Team." Lowe and Anderson each described a locker room where accountability isn't optional. Teammates challenge one another daily on the practice field, in the weight room, in the classroom, and away from football. "Hammond fans are extremely passionate and supportive," Lowe said. "The team feels that support, and we want to play for the people who have our backs." Anderson echoed that sentiment from a different perspective. As a St. Amant High School alumnus, growing up just 30 minutes from Hammond, he said SLU has always felt like home. He is thankful that his friends and family have the opportunity to see him play every week he's in Strawberry Stadium. "The culture in our locker room is a team that's bought in," Anderson said. "When you have a team with that passion that's willing to push each other outside their comfort zones, good things are bound to happen." Both players repeatedly emphasized that "Protect the Team" isn't just a slogan. It's something they strive to live every day, whether on the football field, in the classroom, or throughout the community. The Details Matter During a one-on-one interview later in the day, Scelfo expanded on what separates this team. He pointed to players like Lowe, who has already earned his MBA in five years, and Anderson, who will be completing an engineering degree in just four years. "They're detail-oriented people," Scelfo explained, saying that attention to detail translates directly to success on the football field. That same mindset was echoed by Anderson during his own interview. "The little things will be the difference maker," he said. "If you're comfortable, you're not great." For Anderson, success comes from embracing his role, taking pride in the details, and continually improving year after year. Loyalty Still Matters One of the more refreshing storylines surrounding SLU is player loyalty. In an era where the transfer portal has reshaped college football, Anderson is entering his fourth season with the Lions. 4th Round NFL Draft pick Kaleb Proctor of the Arizona Cardinals also spent four years in Hammond. Sources have indicated that Anderson had opportunities to transfer, including reported interest from a touted SEC program, but chose to stay at SLU and finish what he started. That decision speaks volumes about the culture inside the program. For recruits considering where to spend their college careers, SLU is selling more than playing time. The Lions are selling development, stability, and a program that invests in its players both on and off the field. Eyes on the Prize Coming off another successful season, Lowe believes the Lions still have another level to reach. "We want to get over the hump," he said. "Win the conference and make a deep playoff run." Personally, Lowe has focused his offseason on improving his accuracy, becoming a stronger leader, distributing the football more effectively, and continuing to develop both his strength and mobility. Those goals mirror the team's mentality as a whole. Every interview throughout the day circled back to improving the small things, trusting one another, and continuing to build the culture that has made SLU one of the Southland Conference's most consistent programs. A Program Built to Compete Scelfo also took time to highlight what makes Saturdays in Hammond, America so special. From the atmosphere surrounding Strawberry Stadium to one of the conference's premier tailgating scenes, he described game day at SLU as one of the most unique experiences in the Southland. He also praised the league itself. "Southland football is exciting," Scelfo said, pointing to the level of talent throughout the conference and the quality of competition fans can expect every weekend. If Opening Drive served as an early glimpse into the 2026 season, SLU made one thing abundantly clear. The Lions may be younger than they've been in recent years, but inside the program, expectations haven't changed. The culture remains intact, the leadership is in place, and the goal is the same as it's been all along: compete for a Southland Conference championship and make a deep run in the FCS Playoffs. Photo Credit: @LionUpFootball on X

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