The 2011 season for the LSU Tigers was a memorable one, at least until the BCS National Championship game. The team cruised through the regular season with a 12-0 record and undefeated in SEC play.
One of those marquee wins came against the Bulldogs of Mississippi State. The Tigers won 19-6 in Starkville in a defensive battle.
Both teams earned a field goal in the first quarter to be tied at 3-3. Then in the second, LSU kicker Drew Alleman nailed a 42-yard attempt to put LSU up 6-3 at the half.
Tigers quarterback Jarrett Lee finished the game 21-of-27 for 213 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The LSU offense recorded 361 total yards of offense. Receiver Reuben Randle hauled in six catches for 98 yards and a touchdown.
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Out of the backfield, Spencer Ware carried the ball 22 times for 107 rushing yards.
However, the Tigers defense was the storyline of the game. Mississippi State only had 193 total yards of offense and 13 first downs while also turning the ball over twice. Bulldogs quarterback Chris Relf completed 11-of-17 passes for 96 yards and an interception. Running back Vick Ballard had 38 rushing yards on 10 attempts.
What set LSU apart in this game was their ability to stuff the run and react quickly to the ball. The 2011 season was a historic one, especially on the defensive side of the ball for the program. Holding Mississippi State to six points on two turnovers helped set the tone for an elite defense in a remarkable season for LSU.
The win moved the Tigers to 3-0 on the season while Mississippi State fell to 1-2 on the season, and 0-2 in SEC play.
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