LSU QB Sam Leavitt Threw 3 Interceptions As Tigers Led 32-Point-Underdog Tech By Just 10-7 At Halftime

By KACE KIESCHNICK, Tiger Rag Staff Reporter

LSU looked like a completely different team in the first half against Louisiana Tech Saturday night than a week ago in its 51-10 victory over Clemson.

The No. 8 Tigers led 32-point underdog Tech by only 10-7 as quarterback Sam Leavitt tossed three interceptions, including a 100-yard pick six to safety Jordan McRae that could LSU’s lead to three points 1:53 left in the second quarter. Leavitt had driven LSU 74 yards in 19 plays to a 3rd-and-Goal at the Tech 6-yard line before the interception.

Left tackle Jordan Seaton and Leavitt gave chase, and each dived at the feet of McRae about 30 yards apart without success. Leavitt finished the half 17-of-27 passing for 234 yards with four sacks. The Tigers gained 278 yards of total offense and put up 14 first downs, but the running game struggled to 44 yards on 23 rushes.

The Tigers’ defense clearly came to play for the second straight week and held Tech to zero net yards on 20 plays and zero first downs in the first half. Tech rushed for -20 yards on 13 carries. Tech quarterback Blake Baker completed just 3 of 6 passes for 20 yards.

"One side we're playing great, the other side we're not." —Lane Kiffin

Louisiana Tech is only down 10-7 to LSU at the half 😯 pic.twitter.com/gLBK9ENW76

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 13, 2026

“One side, we’re playing great,” LSU coach Lane Kiffin said at halftime. “The other side, we’re not.”

LSU’s defense racked up three sacks and six tackles for loss while forcing four punts over seven possessions. The three possessions that did not end in a punt resulted in a missed 54-yard field goal, a fumble from tight end Eli Finley, and the end of the half.

LSU defensive end Princewill Umanmielen leads the Tigers with two sacks. Linebacker TJ Dottery forced two fumbles, one of which was recovered by safety Tamarcus Cooley.

The Tigers’ offense, though, had as much trouble running the ball as Tech did. After totaling 309 yards in the 51-10 win over Clemson, LSU averaged 1.9 yards a carry in the first half. The Bulldogs basically owned the line of scrimmage with four sacks and seven tackles for loss. Kiffin said offensive guards Bo Bordelon and Aliou Bah needed to play better last week, and that was true again this week.

Of LSU’s 44 rushing yards, 16 came from Leavitt on eight carries. Starting running back Dilin Jones had 10 carries for just three yards. The Wisconsin transfer took 23 rushes for 113 yards in his first game as a Tiger last week, but the LSU offensive line has failed to create holes against the Bulldog’s 3-3-5 defense.

While the running game struggled to find its footing, the Tigers’ passing attack created chunk plays but was limited by Leavitt’s interceptions. Eugene Wilson III hauled in five catches for 40 yards, and Trey’Dez Green made four catches for 71 yards. Wide receiver Jackson Harris matched Green’s 71 yards in just two receptions to lead the team.

LSU’s first two scoring drives came on short fields. After beginning the game with a three-and-out, something the Tigers did not do at all against Clemson, the LSU offense led an 11-play, 52-yard drive that finished with a 29-yard field goal from Scott Starzyk for a 3-0 lead with 6:36 to go in the opening period. The following possession, it marched 44 yards in just three plays, and Leavitt evaded pressure for a 5-yard touchdown run and 10-0 lead with 3:46 left in the first quarter.

LSU’s red zone struggles returned on the following drive. After an eight-play, 64-yard drive, Leavitt threw his third straight interception to keep the Tigers’ lead at 10-7 at the break.