LSU coach Les Miles showed confidence in junior quarterback Zach Mettenberger, and he rewarded his coach with a strong performance in the No. 9 Tigers’ 37-17 victory against No. 22 Mississippi State on Saturday night.
Mettenberger completed 19-of-30 passes for 273 yards with two touchdowns and perhaps most importantly, no turnovers.
“You’re seeing the coaches have more confidence in us,” Mettenberger said. “They are mixing it up, more run/pass and being more balanced. Guys are making plays, having confidence and having fun out there.”
The biggest display of Miles’ new-found confidence came in the last minute of the first half. After State kicked a field goal to cut the lead to 13-10, LSU got the ball at its own 29-yard line.
Miles said LSU had been working on the two-minute drill in practice all week. He decided to let the offense go to work.
On the first play of the drive, Mettenberger hit sophomore receiver Jarvis Landry for 15 yards. On the next play, he completed a 36-yarder to junior receiver James Wright.
Following an incompletion, Mettenberger laid out a perfect pass to junior running back Spencer Ware who made a diving catch on a wheel route into the end zone for a touchdown.
The Tigers took just 35 seconds to march 71 yards in four plays for the score.
“We worked on it and kept on it,” Miles said. “I think we are getting better. The time and effort that is being spent there is paying dividends and is fruitful.”
Mettenberger and the Tigers came out of the gate attacking through the air against a Mississippi State defense that was torched for more than a combined 500 passing yards by Alabama and Texas A&M the past two weeks.
Early on, he led back-to-back 12-play drives, but both stalled in the red zone and ended with short field goals from senior Drew Alleman.
Trailing 7-6 in the second quarter, LSU linebacker Lamin Barrow recovered a fumble and set the offense up with a first down at the State 21-yard line.
Facing a third down and 8, Mettenberger dropped back and zipped a ball over the head of Bulldog safety Nickoe Whitley into the hands of Landry for a 19-yard touchdown to give LSU the lead.
“Receivers are running great routes, offensive line is protecting me and I’m putting the ball where it needs to be,” Mettenberger said. “If we keep executing like that, we should be good to go for the rest of the year.”
Landry has emerged as Mettenberger’s go-to receiver in the last two games.
After hauling in a career-high eight passes against Alabama, Landry set career highs with nine catches and 109 yards against Mississippi State. He caught eight of the passes in the first half.
“I feel really good about the win,” Landry said. “I don’t dwell on individual or personal things. I’d rather focus on team values. I tip my hat to the offense, defense and special teams for the things that they have done.”
Mettenberger finished the first half 12-of-18 for 174 yards with the two touchdown passes.
“We are very confident,” Landry said. “A lot of the guys on offense feel like we got that swag back. That’s something we really want to embrace, let it carry over from the Alabama game and show the world that we can be an efficient and effective offense.”
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LSU sophomore safety Vincent LeDuff (33) lifts up teammate sophomore wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) after a successful play during the Tigers’ 37-17 victory over the MSU Bulldogs Saturday November 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior safety Craig Loston (6) intercepts a pass from MSU junior quarterback Tyler Russell during the Tigers’ 37-17 victory over the Bulldogs Saturday November 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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The LSU football team runs through the tunnel together before the Tigers’ 37-17 victory over the Mississippi State Bulldogs Saturday November 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU freshman cornerback Jalen Collins (32) and teammate junior linebacker Kevin Minter (46) bring down MSU senior wide receiver Chris Smith (8) during the Tigers’ 37-17 victory over the Bulldogs Saturday November 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU sophmore wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) stands defiantly after a successful play during the Tigers’ 37-17 victory over the MSU Bulldogs Saturday November 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior running back Spencer Ware (11) runs the football downfield during the Tigers’ 37-17 victory over the MSU Bulldogs Saturday November 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior safety Eric Reid (1) and junior cornerback Tharold Simon (24) enthusiastically congratulate their teammate junior linebacker Lamin Barrow (57) after a fumble recovery during the Tigers’ 37-17 victory over the MSU Bulldogs Saturday November 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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The LSU Golden Girls strike their final pose in their special American-themed outfits during Tiger Band’s halftime show Saturday November 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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Former and current LSU homecoming kings Zachary Corbin (second from right), Taylor Cox (third from right) and queens Mo Isom (far right) and Kendall Knobloch (fourth from right) pose with the homecoming committee during the homecoming processions Saturday November 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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2012 LSU homecoming king Taylor Cox and queen Kendall Knobloch pose together Saturday November 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior running back Michael Ford (42) breaks a tackle from MSU senior defensive back Johnthan Banks (13) during the Tigers’ 37-17 victory over the Bulldogs Saturday November 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU sophomore defensive tackle Anthony Johnson (90) and junior defensive end Sam Montgomery (99) sack MSU junior quarterback Tyler Russell (17) during the Tigers’ 37-17 victory over the Bulldogs Saturday November 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior defensive end Barkevious Mingo (49) sacks MSU junior quarterback Tyler Russell (17) during the Tigers’ 37-17 victory over the Bulldogs Saturday November 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior defensive end Barkevious Mingo (49) celebrates during the Tigers’ 37-17 victory over the Bulldogs Saturday November 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU drum major Collin Barry leads the band down victory hill on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012 before the LSU vs. Mississippi State game.
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LSU fans chant Geaux Tigers on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012 infront of Tiger Stadium.
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LSU head coach Les Miles celebrates the Tiger’s 37-17 victory over Mississippi State University on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU sophomore defensive tackel Anthony Johnson (90) sings the alma mater after the Tiger’s 37-17 victory over Mississippi State University Bulldogs on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior wide reciever Spencer Ware (11) trys to fake out MSU sophomore defensive back Jay Hughes during the Tiger’s 37-17 victory over Bulldogs on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU freshman running back Jeremy Hill (33) picks up a first down during the Tiger’s 37-17 victory over the Mississippi State University Bulldogs on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU senior offensive lineman Josh Dworaczyk (68) celebrates after junior fullback J.C. Copeland’s (44) one yard touchdown run in the Tiger’s 37-17 victory over the Mississippi State University Bulldogs on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU sophomore wide reciever Odell Beckham Jr. (3) makes a leaping catch for the first down during the Tiger’s 37-17 victory over the Mississippi State University Bulldogs on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior defensive tackle Bennie Logan (18), junior linebacker Lamin Barrow (57), and sophomore defensive tackle Anthony Johnson (90) stop MSU junior quarterback Tyler Russell during the Tiger’s 37-17 victory over Bulldogs on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU sophomore wide reciever Jarvis Landry (80) catches the first touchdown pass during the Tiger’s 37-17 victory over the Mississippi State University Bulldogs on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior running back Spencer Ware (11) runs past two MSU defenders during the Tiger’s 37-17 victory over Bulldogs on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior corner back Tharold Simon (24) brings down MSU senior wide reciever Chad Bumphis (1) during the Tiger’s 37-17 victory over Bulldogs on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior defensive tackle Bennie Logan (18) carries an American Flag onto the field for the 273rd birthday of the United States Marine Corps on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU Golden Girls perform before the Tiger’s 37-17 victory over the Mississippi State University Bulldogs on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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Former LSU quarterback Dr. Matt Mauck is presented before the game to Tiger Stadium.
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Tiger band trombonist marches down victory hill before the Tiger’s 37-17 victory over the Mississippi State University Bulldogs on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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A row of Tiger Band trombonist perform on victory hill before the Tiger’s 37-17 victory over the Mississippi State University Bulldogs on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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Tiger band trombonist marches down victory hill before the Tiger’s 37-17 victory over the Mississippi State University Bulldogs on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU freshamn linebacker Deion Jones (45) makes his way to the field before the Tiger’s 37-17 victory over the Mississippi State University Bulldogs on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU head coach Les Miles talks to freshman linebacker Deion Jones (45) before the Tiger’s 37-17 victory over Mississippi State University on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU head coach Les Miles pumps up his team before the game against Mississippi State in Tiger Stadium on November 10. The Tigers would eventually defeat the Bulldogs, 37-17.
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LSU junior wide receiver James Wright (82) stretches for an overthrown ball during the Tiger’s 37-17 win over Mississippi State on November 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior cornerback Tharold Simon (24) tackles MSU wide receiver Chad Bumphis (1) during the Tiger’s 37-17 victory over the Bulldogs on November 10 in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU freshman cornerback Jalen Collins tackles MSU senior wide receiver Arceto Clark during the Tiger’s 37-17 win over the Bulldogs on November 10, 2012.
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LSU sophomore wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) celebrates after a catch during LSU’s 37-17 dismantling of MSU on November 10, 2012.
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LSU junior defensive end Barkevious Mingo (49) pulls a MSU player out of a pile during the Tiger’s 37-17 win over the Bulldogs on November 10, 2012.
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LSU junior running back Spencer Ware dashes through Mississippi State defenders during the Tiger’s 37-17 win over the Bulldogs on November 10, 2012.
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LSU sophomore wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) scores a touchdown during LSU’s 37-17 win over Mississippi State on November 10, 2012.
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LSU sophomore wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) kneels after scoring a touchdown during LSU’s 37-17 victory over MSU on November 10, 2012.
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LSU’s defense tries to block a Mississippi State kick during LSU’s 37-17 win over the Bulldogs on November 10, 2012.
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LSU junior wide receiver James Wright (82) tries to evade Mississippi State defenders during the Tiger’s 37-17 victory over the Bulldogs on November 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior wide receiver James Wright (82) evades a Mississippi State tackle during the Tiger’s 37-17 win over the Bulldogs on November 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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MSU senior defensive back Darius Slay (9) breaks up LSU junior wide receiver Kadron Boone’s (86) endzone catch during the Tiger’s 37-17 victory over the Bulldogs on November 10, 2012.
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LSU junior safety Eric Reid (1) tackles MSU junior quarterback Tyler Russell (17) during the Tiger’s 37-17 win over the Bulldogs on November 10, 2012.
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LSU sophomore wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) evades a Mississippi State defender during LSU’s 37-17 win over MSU on November 10, 2012.
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LSU freshman running back Jeremy Hill (33) tries to power through Mississippi State defenders during the Tiger’s 37-17 win over the Bulldogs on November 10, 2012.
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LSU junior defensive end Sam Montgomery (99) sacks MSU junior quarterback Tyler Russell (17) during the Tiger’s 37-17 win over the Bulldogs on November 10, 2012.
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LSU sophomore wide reciever Jarvis Landry (80) catches a touchdown pass on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU junior running back Spencer Ware (11) runs for a first down on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012 in Tiger Stadium.
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