The No. 9 LSU Tigers held on to win 37-17 against No. 22 Mississippi State on Saturday night.
Down 30-17 late in the fourth quarter, Mississippi State drove to the LSU 9-yard line, but quarterback Tyler Russell was intercepted by LSU junior safety Craig Loston, who returned it 100 yards for a touchdown to seal the victory.
“The question was whether this football team would come to play after an emotional game a week ago,” said LSU coach Les Miles. “There is not any question that they were.”
The Tigers trailed, 7-6, in the second quarter when Mississippi State running back Derrick Milton fumbled a toss from Russell, and LSU linebacker Lamin Barrow recovered at the Bulldog 21-yard line.
On the ensuing drive LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger hit Jarvis Landry for a 19-yard touchdown pass that gave the Tigers a 13-7 lead.
From that point on, LSU never trailed.
Mississippi State came back down the field and added a 47-yard Devon Bell field goal to cut the Tigers’ lead to 13-10 with 48 seconds left in the first half.
Instead of taking a knee and going into halftime, Miles elected to let Mettenberger throw the ball with 48 second left.
Mettenberger rewarded his coach with a 4-play, 71-yard touchdown drive that culminated with a 20-yard touchdown to running back Spenser Ware, who made a diving catch in the end zone on a wheel route out of the backfield.
Mettenberger would finish the game completing 19-of-30 passes for 273 yards with the two touchdowns and no interceptions.
“I think Zach (Mettenberger) is playing extremely well,” Miles said. “He has a nice touch on the ball. He knows where he needs to go. He is making quality decisions.”
The Tigers stumbled coming out of halftime. The defense forced a punt, but Odell Beckham Jr. muffed it and the Bulldogs recovered the fumble in LSU territory.
On the next drive, Russell hit wide receiver Chad Bumphis for a 14-yard touchdown to cut the LSU lead to 20-17.
After a Drew Alleman field goal extended the Tigers’ lead to 23-17, LSU fullback J.C. Copeland plunged in from the 1-yard line to make the lead 30-17 heading into the fourth quarter.
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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 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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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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An LSU fan wearing a festive mask gives a thumbs up 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 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 quarterback Zach Mettenberger (8) tosses the ball beyond the reach of MSU senior defensive lineman Josh Boyd (97) 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 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 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 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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