LSU’s conference opener is not going the way many expected with the Tigers down 17-7 to Mississippi State.
The Tigers are still struggling with penalties a week after LSU coach Ed Orgeron specifically addressed the issue in his postgame press conference.
LSU has committed six penalties for 71 yards.
On the Tigers’ opening drive, a 66 yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Danny Etling to senior receiver DJ Chark was wiped off the board due to offensive pass interference.
Etling finished the half 4-of-9 passing for 34 yards.
The offense consistently struggled to block the Bulldog rush, and punted on three of its next four drives. 
The one exception was an eight play, 65 yard drive that ended in a 10 yard touchdown by senior running back Darrel Williams.
Defensively LSU struggled to set the edge against a physical Mississippi State rushing attack. The Bulldogs rushed for 140 yards on 25 carries. 
LSU was without sophomore defensive end Rashard Lawrence, and appears to have lost sophomore nose tackle Ed Alexander.
Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald rushed for both of the Bulldogs touchdowns in the half.