Rapid Reaction: Stunning! Mississippi State the new LSU? Bulldogs' record-setting offense looks unstoppable in win
In a game with plenty of hype surrounding Mike Leach’s arrival in the SEC, and LSU’s national championship defense, those offenses got off to a slow start. But it didn’t take long for Leach to find some rhythm, and for K.J. Costello to put up some big numbers — in fact they re-wrote the record books.
In fact, he had 492 yards by early in the fourth quarter. It was a day when he set a new record for an opposing QB at Tiger Stadium after Rex Grossman held the previous mark in 2001 (464). Costello also set the conference record for single-game passing yards. By midway through the fourth quarter, he passed the 544 yards by Georgia’s Eric Zeier in 1993 against Southern Miss.
Costello threw his fifth touchdown pass of the game, this time to Osirus Mitchell for 24 yards with 3:39 left in the fourth quarter, and it was his third TD on third down and long. That helped ice the game for the Bulldogs 44-34.
Overall, Costello was 36-for-60 passing for 623 yards with five TDs and two interceptions.
Costello played a whale of a game but he had several turnovers, including early in the fourth quarter he was picked off by Eli Ricks. LSU made it stand up with a beautiful one-handed touchdown catch by Terrace Marshall in the back corner of the end zone.
Things appeared to unravel for the Bulldogs and Costello late as he gave up a fumble to JaCoby Stevens, his second of the day, when he tried to step up in the pocket after the Marshall score. That was Costello’s fourth turnover of the day, two fumbles and two interceptions. He later escaped a near-fumble after a review, and was flagged for intentional grounding.
Costello managed to set MSU for a field goal, and then got the ball back after LSU could not convert a third down and 3 that fell incomplete.
Stevens, remarkably, was the only starter from last year’s defense playing Saturday, had a huge game even by that point in the fourth quarter, with five tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
New LSU QB Myles Brennan got off to a slow start with just a couple of completions to Marshall in the first quarter as the Tigers were held scoreless. Ultimately, he was charged with just keeping up with Costello’s pace. It was the first time LSU hasn’t scored in a quarter since the third quarter of the Alabama game last year, and the first time LSU hasn’t scored in the first quarter since the Auburn win the week prior in 2019. Brennan was then sacked to open the second quarter.
At the end of the third quarter, in what became a frenetic back-and-forth battle, Brennan was hit on the arm and threw an interception.
By halftime, the LSU offense had five punts and 136 yards for the Tigers. But the story was the Mississippi State offense, which led by a field goal at the intermission, and the Bulldogs rang up 292 passing yards on the strength of 14 yards per completion on 36 attempts. State had five receivers with at least 30 yards. Those 292 yards were more than the Bulldogs had in a game through all of last season (238).
LSU star cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., arguably the best CB in the country, did not play in the game following a non-COVID reaction on Friday night that LSU said caused him to be “acutely ill” and hospitalized. His absence proved to be especially noticeable as coach Ed Orgeron said in a halftime interview with CBS Sports that the Tigers struggled with man-to-man coverage.
Late in the third quarter, MSU RB Kylin Hill caught a 75-pass from Costello as he had to leap to grab it, then race down the sideline for the one-play scoring drive. He side-stepped a would-be tackle from LSU for the score. It gave him five catches for 109 yards for the Bulldogs, and more importantly, a 27-24 lead.
Coming off the national championship season, this was a rude awakening from what many had become accustomed to with LSU. It’s the first time LSU trailed at halftime since Texas A&M in 2018.
Overall at halftime, MSU already had 303 total yards, Costello was 21-for-36 passing with 2 touchdowns.
It appeared that the Bulldogs would grab some offensive momentum in the second quarter, but a botched snap led to a fumble recovery by Stevens near midfield.
LSU’s Jabril Cox, a transfer from North Dakota State, picked off Costello to give LSU and Tiger Stadium a much-needed jolt of momentum, and a 7-3 lead. Cox undercut the receiver he was covering and grabbed the pass for a 14-yard touchdown.
It helped give life to LSU which had struggled on offense with just nine rushing yards and two first downs. But that momentum was short-lived as Costello led a six-play, 75-yard drive that was capped by a 31-yard pass to Tyrell Shavers in the right corner of the end zone for a touchdown.
One of the first glimpses of life from the LSU offense in the first came from 5-star TE Arik Gilbert in the second quarter, who made a contested grab in the end zone. He bailed out Brennan who was back-pedaling and falling down when he unleashed the pass. It was a two-yard TD catch, but Gilbert earlier made a 16-yard catch on that scoring drive. With a 6-foot-5 and 249-pound frame, Gilbert is a huge target and a difficult matchup for opposing defenses.
Thought Costello might work our – at least for the first game.
State tried to bail out LSU like crazy, the game should have been a total blow out. Crazy times we live in.
Hail State!
Agreed. This game shouldn’t have been this close. There is much to clean up moving forward, but I’ll take the win.
HAIL STATE!
Exactly, this could’ve easily been 28-0 in the second quarter with 10 minutes left in the half but offensive shooting themselves in the foot after LSU gifted up 4 drives and kept the score at 3-0
I told you so.
The Curse of Orgeron is long and strong.
It permeates all.
Will I get an apology?
What is the character of our fans?
You going to run off another HC with a natty on his bookcase?
He’s a troll, not an LSU fan.
I told you so.
You never answered L$U$MC how much we paid for our “championship”.
LOL
Ignored buford, he’s really a BAMA fan, if Costello can get over a few fumble fingers, it’s him and Trask for the Heisman run.
Well, that was embarrassing. Kudos to KJ Costello, he’s good. We could have used Stingley out there. He might have slowed down the onslaught.
LOL
Lol
WOW!! Congrats to State!!
I had a feeling on of the Mississippi schools was gonna get a upset this week. I picked Ole Miss over UF so got the wrong one unfortunately.
Hail State!!
LOL
Yessir. Great game. Crazy way to start the season.
i dont know where to start…
incredible result for yall Hail State fans. Impressive indeed, for sure. I still don’t think they have enough this year to truly contend, but that offense will give everyone fits, and the defensive pass rush is good enough to come up with some stops. 7 sacks against a somewhat leaky o-line is still really impressive. Also have some questions about limiting the turnovers, but the fumbles can be improved, and when you pass that much, even against a mediocre or worse secondary, there’s bound to be some miscues. Still, hell of a job, and I personally liked the way Leach used Kylin Hill coming out of the backfield to give Costello plenty of space to throw to. Great win for y’all.
As for us, that championship high lasted pretty quick, huh? Ugh… Brennan was too scared early on, the O-line was atrocious, the RB’s were meh, the WR’s dropped plenty of passes and looked out of sync, and then the D. My god was that embarassing. Leach called a simple mesh route like a thousand times and it worked every time. Pelini sold out on a blitz, Costello saw and simply tossed it to whoever over the middle. Cox wasn’t there, Stevens (who played well) was tied up downfield, and the corners got beat at the line in simple bump-and-run coverage. Stingley would have really helped, but you’re given the cards you have, and you have to play them well, and they didn’t. Coach O has a lot of issues to fix, and I saw enough potential in the O that I think they can be OK (second half was solid enough), but the D has a lot to fix if they can’t diagnose a simple mesh route over and over and not do anything about it… how embarassing
LOL
Offensive line and defense. I think that’s what it boils down to. Brennan was okay for a first start. If someone told me he would hit 60% for 340 yards and 3 TDs, I would have said that’s enough to win. But the line couldn’t block and the pass defense was pathetic.
i would mostly agree, and i don’t think he was that bad. Definitely wasn’t the issue. His issue was that he didn’t have the confidence to throw in the windows, and overall it seemed he was a bit timid, especially in the first half. Not his fault, as its his first start, and the o-line as you noted was horrid. He’ll get better
I sincerely don’t think the LSU secondary was that bad because I saw Costello throw a lot of balls that made my sphincter pucker up due to how tight the receiver was covered. But he either put a lot of those passes in places where only the receiver could grab it (coupled with some nice catches by the receiver) or the receiver just went above and beyond to beat the defender for it.
Speaking to the D and O lines of both teams though….that’s what I’m really curious about. I’m looking forward to another game or two to see if both Miss State and LSU’s offensive lines are that porous (Seemed both Costello and Brennan both spent most of the game running for their lives) or if both Miss State and LSU’s defensive lines are really that good.
LSU will definitely have a good season though. Brennan got his cherry popped and still put up 34 points in his baptism by fire, and LSU will be the only team to have to play Miss State without any real film to get an idea of what to prep for.
I’m hoping we get our offensive line figured out after this though…..because no way can Costello last an entire SEC schedule throwing the ball 60+ a game. And I’m really enjoying seeing my Bulldogs actually have an effective passing game….lol
Lol
Mike Leach will conquer the SEC with the air raid offense
Only by sacrificing the best of the SEC west will anyone hope to stop him
Crazy times indeed. The honeymoon period did not last long for LSU, but that was to be expected. You guys had way too much production to replace, and it’s not easy to play your first game against Mike Leach and a top-tier PAC-12 QB transfer in Costello. Great win for Mississippi State and don’t be too disappointed LSU fans. Your team is going to grow and get much better by the end of the season.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. It’s a simple offense that doesn’t need much prep. But, still, an SEC passing record! LSU has a lot of work to do.
It’s not easy to beat Leach when he has a good QB.
This loss is squarely on the DEF! Couldn’t get a freaking stop! Brennan wasn’t great but I picked LSU to score 37pts in this gm and they got 34. I had it 37 – 20 LSU so if you told me we’d get 34pts I would’ve felt good about the win.
I know Stingley was out and he could’ve helped vs the pass but Stingley is not a pass-rusher! The Def got no pressure up front. Too much “coverage” and not enough blitzing. Bo called a bad gm. Simple as that.
I saw glimpses from the young RBs but they missed key blocks in the pass gm. Bright moments from the young TE Gilbert but he too missed key blocks. Had the Def gotten stops, the Off would’ve gotten more pts and yds. Bo is going to have to do a much better job vs better competition going forward.
Now that we’ve had “live” action, lots to clean up. Not giving up on the young tm. They got beat by a better tm. No other way to put it.
Congrats again to Miss ST!
honestly i thought the D-Line wasn’t too bad. Ali Gaye and some other guys showed some promise. It was simple man coverage and bump-and-run that sold us. There was no one over the middle or out in the flats. I’d be interested in seeing what Costello’s aerial yards thrown is and what was YAC, because Flott, Ricks, and Ward got beat over and over at the line of scrimmage.
Agree with Tforlife. Big let downs was: first and goal on the cowbell two yard line; Coach Bo and his man coverage; Slim Brennan’s first game jidders;14 players gone; reality bites new year new team. Costello’s advice to Slim, “get rid of the ball quick”,
Everyone: take a year to make sure Oregeron isn’t Gene Chizik
LSU fans: NO HOW DARE YOU
I agree with u Gump, I had the same thought myself. LSU could legit be a 5-5 team this year.
As could Aub. In fact it’s more likely Aub is 5-5.
I find it hilarious how many people counted us out of this game only for it to blow back in their face. I’m not one for trash talk but it’s honestly annoying how we have to constantly be doubted every off season and have to shut people up on the field. All offseason, we had to listen to people saying how MSU aren’t going to do anything or how the Air Raid won’t work in the SEC. All I gotta say is: 623 yards and 5 touchdown. Seems like it’s working well to me.
Yeah, I mean what did Mississippi State ever do to cause legit doubts, right?
This is a brand new season. Yes we don’t have the history like Alabama, LSU, or Georgia sure but the outcome of this game is exactly why the games are played on the field and not who everyone think is going to win.
Gotta clean up those turnovers though.
True. Those mistakes made me cringe but hey, I have to give them the benefit of a doubt because of how these last few months happened, last spring, we didn’t even know we would have football
I find it hilarious that before this game, there were hardly any MSU fans talking here, but now after this game, ppl are coming out of their holes. But still, every team in the west now gotta be READY to play y’all.
I was here. Can’t speak for the rest of em though.
I would’ve spoken but while everyone else was saying LSU had it easy and saying we wasn’t much of a threat, I wanted to wait, when the game actually happen. This is the SEC. You can’t judge a game on paper in our conference, especially in a season like this. No disrespect to LSU because I actually like LSU. I wish them well in their remaining games.
Uh Mlgl, I find it hilarious that you had to play Vandy to the end and pull it out of your @$$ to win. Please keep talking because we will see you in a few weeks.
I’m so stunned I’m not sure what to do. State fans have ZERO experience beating National Champions.
HAIL STATE!
My respects to LSU. Down today but never out with Coach O.
LSU will win plenty of games. MSU will probably lose a few. But this all SEC season just got a lot more interesting for the Bulldog faithful.
Alabama is certainly looking very Alabama-ish as I write this and Florida looks pretty stout as well. It should be a fun year and a nice contrast to everything else 2020.
We just got whipped. The next man up thing only goes so far. Brennan didn’t look ready for prime time. No unit really did. We have a lot of growing to do. Congrats to MSU on a well earned victory.
I think we needed a reality check after last year. It was almost too good to be true for a lot of these guys. Hopefully coach O and Pelini can fix this; If we give up more than 24 to Vandy next week then I say we’re in big trouble.
LOL
The more L$u$MC posts the more I laugh.
I shed a tear earlier.
It’s way too funny!
You’re still just a poor little troll trying to make yourself feel better because a team lost. Just shows how sad of a person you continue to be. You attempt to find joy by creating misery for others. It just makes me feel sorry for you.
LOL
How much did we pay for our “championship”?
Somewhere in my list of comments I clearly stated Auburn needs to beat either LSU or A&M to win the West. After watching LSU today, it will come down to A&M.
LSwho is staring at a 6-4 season!
Great game State!!
What? Auburn doesn’t play ‘Bama this year? Crazy covid schedule, I guess.
A&M leading Vandy 7-5 at half. Yikes!
A&M? You must be inhaling too much of whatever you’re close to because A&M is not a threat to any team. Note their struggles with Vandy.
I’m scared of Mississippi State
Same… Didn’t expect them to start out this strong against LSU.
I think every SEC West fan is gonna sit up and take notice of what Mike Leach has done in Starkville.
That’s my concern with the offense is that people will take serious notice. Meaning, and granted I am learning about the air raid offense like an infant trying to learn Latin, if the running attack aspect of it is as limited as I think it is….teams like Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Auburn could put up major hurdles with the Dime defense.
I say that because they have the quality personnel (and depth) as to where they can have four DBs playing man with two deep safeties for support and the LB mirror the RB. Or they could go man with one safety playing deep and the LB cover middle zone. Not to mention the different zone/blitz packages they could run from the Dime and still minimize exposure risk.
I know DBs can still get beat and the QB can still use ball placement to combat that kind of heavy coverage, but a team that has the talent and depth to run the kind of Dime packages I’m talking about will also have the talent and depth to use a four man rush and be able to keep pressure on the QB to make those possibilities harder.
I guess that while I fully understand the offense is a pocket passer QB’s wet dream, a true dual threat QB is what would make the air raid a true nightmare for defenses as creating 10 to 15 yard zones of open field would be an unintended consequence of the majority of the air raid passing plays giving a nice secondary option to the QB.
Don’t be concerned. Be confident.
The thing is, with the talented OL that we have, we can run the ball effectively especially with big receivers out there to block
LSU= Trash lol. Hail State!
LETS GOOOOOOOO
Definitely have a lot of things to clean up going forward.
Tip of my tricorn hat to the old pirate. Wow.
*LSU has left the chat*
Are you watching fsu vs da u? Whoa.
Miami is kinda the surprise of the year so far. Its a bit hard to gauge them though based on who they’ve played.
LSWho?
Could be a hundred points scored in the Egg Bowl.
That’s now on my radar. Thanks! I hope the Egg Bowl breaks 100.
LSU is one-and-done. Take a seat, Tigers. I promise, I didn’t see this coming but not having Burrow, Brady and the others who are now in the NFL, it’s gonna be a long one for Coach O.
I guess losing the passing game coordinator, the d coordinator, the Heisman winning quarterback and 16 other guys to the NFL did matter.
I wouldn’t throw dirt on LSU just yet.