It wasn’t always pretty, but the LSU defense made some big plays and the offense did just enough to beat the Bulldogs 19-3.
After the crowd forced back-to-back false starts on the Bulldog offense to open the game, quarterback Nick Fitzgerald was picked off by junior outside linebacker Michael Divinity who returned it to the three yard line.
The LSU offense looked out of sync in the first half — particularly junior quarterback Joe Burrow, who completed only two of his first seven passes and threw an interception in the end zone.
Burrow, who finished the game 16-of-28 for 129 yards, said it was the worst game he has ever played.
“I threw the ball like a middle schooler,” Burrow said. “They’re a really good defense, too. This was the first game I was a little more nervous.”
LSU has outscored opponents 69-9 in the first quarter and has not surrendered a touchdown in the first since the Alabama game last year.
With Burrow struggling to hit his receivers, Mississippi State was able to stack the box in the first half, eliminating the run game in the process. With 4:42 on the clock in the second quarter, the offense had produced 15 total yards on offense, -4 on the ground and 19 yards passing.
LSU found a much-needed groove on the final drive of the first half, going 64 yards on 14 plays but ultimately settling for a field goal to go up 10-3 in a forgettable first half.
The defense was sensational all night, completely eliminating the Bulldog passing attack in the first half. Fitzgerald completed eight passes for 59 yards with four total picks but gashed the LSU defense for 131 yards on the ground. Mississippi State went 1-for-12 on third down and had six three-and-outs.
Getting any kind of points was important as LSU also received the ball to start the second half. Burrow continued to try and find a rhythm in the second half and was able to lead three drives that ended in field goals in the third quarter.
Sophomore safety Grant Delpit continued his All-American campaign with an interception in the first quarter and the play of the game in the third quarter.
With the Bulldogs driving for an answering score on 4th-and-3, Delpit made a jaw-dropping sack on Fitzgerald after initially over-running him, only to come back and chase down the elusive Bulldog quarterback.
That play set up another field goal drive that put the Tigers up 16-3 late in the third quarter.  
Orgeron said it was a good win for the team despite the struggles on offense and said the team will get some much needed rest.
“The crowd was in it tonight and really helped us, particularly in the first quarter,” Orgeron said. “We were very sluggish on offense, but we won the game so I’m not going to tear this thing apart.”
The worst part of the game by far was junior linebacker Devin White being ejected late for targeting, which will force him to miss the first half of the Tigers’ matchup with Alabama on Nov. 3.