When it rains, it pours, and the interceptions poured in for the LSU defense Saturday night.
 
After two weeks of interception-less football, the LSU defense took all its picking problems out on Mississippi State in a 29-7 win marked mostly by the Tiger defense’s prowess.
 
The Tiger defensive line came up with five interceptions. Junior cornerback Patrick Peterson and sophomore cornerback Morris Claiborne had two picks each. Senior defensive tackle Drake Nevis added a fifth – the first of his career.
 
Claiborne said the multiple turnovers were a weight lifted from the team’s  shoulders.
“It felt awesome,” Claiborne said. “I just took a deep breath afterward, and I had to put that behind me and go get out and work hard and try to get another one.”
 
LSU also forced two fumbles but couldn’t recover either one. The five interceptions mark the most for a Tiger defense since LSU reeled in six INTs to open up the 2007 season at Mississippi State.
 
The LSU defense that’s been on a sack binge in recent weeks, racking up 10 in the first two games, tacked on one more
Saturday to its total.
 
The Tiger secondary credited the interceptions to the constant pressure by the defensive line.
 
“It was hard work and a very good scheme by [defensive coordinator John Chavis],” said senior linebacker Kelvin Sheppard. “We were getting to the quarterback, and he had to either release it or get it. You saw the end result.”
 
Two interceptions came against Bulldog starter Chris Relf. The junior quarterback left the game early in the third quarter after a 13-yard scramble.
 
Peterson said defensive backs coach Ron Cooper moved him to the left side of the field — Mississippi State’s strong side — to present more big play opportunities. The preseason All-American said he strategically baited Relf into testing him on his first interception.
 
“I knew that the quarterback had a pretty strong arm, but I knew that ball wasn’t going to outrun me,” Peterson joked. “I used my speed and ball-hawking skills to get back up under the ball.”
 
Freshman quarterback Tyler Russell threw the final trio of interceptions and replaced Relf in the second half. Russell led the Bulldogs to a touchdown drive his first series in the game, completing his first two passes.
 
Nevis’ interception against Russell marks the first pick by an LSU defensive lineman since Kirston Pittman picked off former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow in 2007.
Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen said the blame falls on the entire team, including himself.
 
“A lot of people have responsibility on those turnovers,” Mullen said. “I do, certainly the quarterbacks do, the offensive line and receivers all do. You have got to take care of the football.”
 
LSU held Mississippi State to 268 total yards of offense, with 116 of them through the air. Bulldog junior offensive lineman Quentin Saulsberry also credited the turnovers to the Tiger blitz.
 
“It comes down to turnovers,” Saulsberry said. “There were a lot of mistakes on the offense and a lot of protection errors. We didn’t make the plays as an offense.”
 
LSU had a total of 13 interceptions all last season, including a three-pick game against the Bulldogs in Starkville. More than a third of the way to last year’s mark, sophomore wide receiver Russell Shepard said the stingy defense takes pressure off the offense.
 
“Our defense came out and did a nice job of getting us great field position and creating turnovers,” Shepard said. “Drake Nevis, Kelvin Sheppard and Patrick Peterson are doing a great job leading the defense, as well as this team. They make it easy on our part.”
 
 
 
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Contact Mark Clements at [email protected]