LSU looked anything but sharp for much of the first half Saturday night.
But after turning the ball over four times and taking a 10-7 lead into halftime, the Tigers settled down in the second half and pulled away from Louisiana Tech for a 45-14 victory at Tiger Stadium.
The win moves LSU to 2-0 heading into next week's highly anticipated matchup at Ole Miss.
Rough first half
LSU spent much of the week talking about avoiding a letdown after last week's impressive 51-10 victory over Clemson.
For one half Saturday night, the Tigers didn't look like a team that had taken that message to heart.
Quarterback Sam Leavitt threw three interceptions, including two in the red zone. One of those interceptions turned into a 100-yard touchdown return by Louisiana Tech's Jordan McRae, silencing the Tiger Stadium crowd.
It was the longest interception return for a touchdown in La Tech history.
Leavitt was much better after halftime, finishing with 344 passing yards and a touchdown. He also ran for three touchdowns.
Still, the three interceptions are something LSU cannot afford when it begins SEC play against tougher competition.
Kiffin gave credit to Louisiana Tech’s defense for putting a lot of pressure on them. He believes it might be a good thing that they struggled, gives them something to concentrate on.
Offensive playmakers emerge
LSU finished with more than 500 yards of total offense, but the Tigers struggled to consistently run the football.
Dillon Jones led LSU with 66 rushing yards, including a 46-yard run on the second play of the second half that helped spark the Tigers' improved offensive performance.
LSU averaged just 3.3 yards per carry, but the passing game provided plenty of production.
Trey'Dez Green continued his strong start to the season, catching six passes for 104 yards and a touchdown. Green also took a direct snap and picked up a first down on a third-down play.
Eugene Wilson added six catches for 93 yards, including a 53-yard reception that helped set up an LSU field goal.
LSU defense continues to dominate
While the offense struggled at times, LSU's defense once again made life miserable for an overmatched opponent.
The Tigers held Louisiana Tech to just 140 yards of offense, forced three turnovers and recorded seven sacks.
LSU’s defense did not allow a touchdown until the fourth quarter, when the game was already well in hand.
Ole Miss transfer Princewill Umanmielen had three sacks, while former Rebel T.J. Dottery finished with nine tackles and forced two fumbles.
True freshman defensive tackle Deuce Geralds also turned in an impressive performance, recording four tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.
Up next: Ole Miss
Now comes the game LSU fans have been waiting for since Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss to become the Tigers' head coach.
LSU will travel to Oxford next Saturday for a 6:30 p.m. matchup against the Rebels.
Ole Miss improved to 2-0 Saturday with a 41-9 victory over Charlotte.
For LSU, the margin for error will be much smaller.
The Tigers can survive four turnovers against Louisiana Tech. They likely won't be able to do the same against Kiffin's former team.
