Multiple members of No. 8 LSU’s defense said the unit got its swagger back against Mississippi State, using turnovers to fuel a 37-17 victory.
LSU’s defense gave up 351 yards, but clamped down in key situations to hold Mississippi State to only 17 points.
“We don’t want to give up too many yards, too many points, but this is Southeastern Conference football,” said junior linebacker Lamin Barrow. “So you know we might bend a little bit but you never want to break and let them in the end zone.”
LSU forced two turnovers — one fumble and one interception — and also forced the Bulldogs to turn over the ball after going for it on fourth down.
The Tigers have forced 11 turnovers in the past four games.
“Forcing turnovers is tradition here,” said junior linebacker Kevin Minter. “We work on it every day in practice.”
The first turnover came on a second quarter fumble by Mississippi State freshman running back Derrick Milton. Milton bobbled a pitch by junior quarterback Tyler Russell while under pressure from junior defensive end Barkevious Mingo.
“It was kind of a lucky play because he bobbled it,” Mingo said. “Then it bounced right up to me and bounced off of me.”
Barrow recovered the ball and returned the it to the Mississippi State 21-yard line. The recovery set LSU’s offense up for a touchdown drive to take the lead, a lead LSU didn’t give up for the rest of the game.
“We needed a little spark. I wouldn’t say we were back on our heels, but we hadn’t found our rhythm yet,” Barrow said. “Once we did we just kept clicking and kept rolling.”
The interception by junior safety Craig Loston was the biggest play of Loston’s career as he took the ball 100-yards to seal the victory for the Tigers in the fourth quarter.
“That was just a huge play,” Barrow said. “It felt really good for the defense to put a statement on the win like that … it’s a great confidence boost for the defense to finish strong.”
In a game in which LSU was attempting to redeem its season after the crushing loss to Alabama, Loston got a little redemption of his own after missing chunks of the previous two seasons due to injury.
“Craig was one of the best players in the nation [in high school],” Barrow said. “It’s good to see a guy who works so hard finally see the fruits of his labor, I couldn’t be happier for him.”
Loston’s play has improved throughout the season. He has recorded 24 tackles over the past four games, and both of his interceptions on the season have come during that time.
“He’s definitely been showing up to play the past couple of weeks, laying the wood down like we like to see,” said junior safety Eric Reid. “He got the pick-six so I’m kind of jealous of him, but I’ll try and get one some day.”
The pick-six was the first touchdown the defense has scored since week three against Idaho. With two games left to go the unit has already matched its defensive touchdown total from all of last year.
After last week’s let down against Alabama on the final drive, LSU’s defense was able to put a statement on the Mississippie State game by effectively ending the contest on the interception.
“Two-minute defense is something the coaching staff really stressed this week,” Barrow said. “We had a few nice plays, but the [Loston] interception really sealed the victory for us.”
‘So you know we might bend a little, but you never want to break.’
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.
