By KACE KIESCHNICK, Tiger Rag Staff Reporter
Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor was as healthy and explosive as ever in EA Sports College Football 27’s simulation of Saturday’s matchup between No. 22 LSU (4-2, 1-2 Southeastern Conference) and No. 16 Mississippi State (4-1, 2-1 SEC). The sophomore ran for 104 yards and two touchdowns but came up short in a 31-25 LSU win.
Kickoff between the real Tigers and Bulldogs is set for 11 a.m. in Tiger Stadium on Saturday (ESPN). Taylor has been listed as questionable on each of the first two SEC Availability Reports as he nurses a right-foot injury.
All four of the Tigers’ touchdowns came on the ground, with Dilin Jones reaching the paint three times in a game for the first time in his career. The redshirt sophomore running back took 17 carries for 78 yards, and it was actually backup running back Stacy Gage who led the team with 84 rushing yards on 12 attempts.
Quarterback Sam Leavitt did something he has yet to do in real life this season – not turn the ball over. He completed 21 of his 35 passes for 229 yards with no touchdowns, interceptions or fumbles. He did find the end zone once as a rusher, although he only totaled eight yards on the ground.
The Tigers got off to a slow start, and the first points of the game came on a 30-yard Scott Starzyk field goal midway through the first quarter as LSU’s red zone struggles continued. A 55-yard touchdown run by Taylor gave the Bulldogs an early lead, but it was all Tigers for the next two quarters.
Leavitt ran it in from one yard out to put LSU up 10-7. Jones then scored his first touchdown of the day in the final minutes of the first half to give the home crowd a 17-7 lead at the break. His second two touchdowns came in the third quarter, another goal-line score and a 28-yard race to the end zone. Jones’s hat trick made it 31-7 heading into the final quarter, but that is when the Bulldogs came alive.
Taylor connected with his top receiver Anthony Evans III on a 15-yard touchdown pass and then ran in the two-point attempt to make it a 31-15 two-score game. The LSU defense made a big red zone stand to hold the Bulldogs to a 23-yard field goal with eight minutes left, but Taylor broke off another 39-yard touchdown run to bring the Bulldogs within a touchdown with four minutes on the clock. LSU was able to ice the game away, though and get back in the win column with a 35-21 ranked victory.
Bulldogs running back Fluff Bothwell was also a play maker for the visitors despite dealing with real-life injuries. He ran 18 times for 90 yards while reserve back Xavier Gayten gained just 37 yards on 15 carries. Taylor was 13-of-23 through the air for 147 yards and a score. His top target was wide receiver Anthony Evans III, who had a slow day by his standard with four catches for 44 yards and one TD.
The 18-point fourth quarter rally is the most points LSU has given up in a quarter this season, and Mississippi State’s 230 rushing yards is also the highest mark the Bayou Bandits have allowed through the first six weeks. Linebacker TJ Dottery led the team with 11 tackles, and defensive end Jordan Ross recorded the game’s only sack
Offensively, the LSU passing game was a group effort from the Tigers receivers without tight end Trey’Dez Green. Jackson Harris led the unit with 60 yards on four catches. Winston Watkins Jr. hauled in the most passes and took his six receptions for 54 yards, and Jayce Brown had his biggest game as a Tiger, making five catches for 58 yards.
CFB 27 gives the Bulldogs an 83 overall team rating, five points lower than LSU’s 88. Mississippi State’s top playmakers are cornerback Kelley Jones (91), Bothwell (90) and Evans (89). Taylor is up to an 88 overall after starting the season as an 83.
LSU Record vs. Simulated Games
Real Life: 4-2
Week 1: 51-10 W vs. Clemson
Week 2: 45-14 W vs. LA Tech
Week 3: 32-24 L at Ole Miss
Week 4: 35-6 W vs. Texas A&M
Week 5: 63-14 W vs. McNeese State
Week 6: 35-34 L at Kentucky
EA Sports CFB 27: 6-1
Week 1: 44-10 W vs. Clemson
Week 2: 17-6 W vs. LA Tech
Week 3: 38-36 L at Ole Miss
Week 4: 24-13 W vs. Texas A&M
Week 5: No game vs. FCS McNeese State (W)
Week 6: 20-13 W at Kentucky
Week 7: 31-25 W vs. Mississippi State
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