Through six games, LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt has put up impressive numbers, but one glaring weakness continues to overshadow his production: turnovers.
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The Arizona State transfer ranks second in the SEC with 17 total touchdowns, one behind Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor. Leavitt also ranks second in the conference with 1,496 passing yards, and his accuracy has improved significantly over the past three games.
After completing just 61% of his passes through the first three games, Leavitt has connected on 75% of his attempts over the last three, despite playing without injured tight end Trey’Dez Green, one of LSU’s most dynamic receiving threats.
But the interceptions remain a major concern. Leavitt is the only quarterback in the FBS to throw an interception in every game this season, and his eight interceptions lead the nation.
“Ultimately, it’s taking care of the football, and that’s what it’s come down to me week after week,” Leavitt said. “Something I really haven’t had an issue with the last two years I’ve played. It’s something that has shown up this year, just something I have to hone in on and keep better on.”
Interceptions were not a significant problem for Leavitt at Arizona State. He threw just nine picks in 20 starts with the Sun Devils.
Leavitt believes some of his interceptions this season have been the result of bad luck, pointing to a Pro Football Focus assessment of passes that could have been intercepted.
“I think it was some grade on Pro Football Focus, that the most balls I’ve thrown that have had an opportunity to get picked off, actually less have been picked off,” Leavitt said. “That’s how the ball bounces sometimes.”
However, interceptions are not the only costly mistakes Leavitt has made. In LSU’s 35-34 overtime loss to Kentucky, he fumbled in the fourth quarter while attempting a jump pass under pressure.
Leavitt took responsibility for the mistake, acknowledging he should have made a better decision in a critical moment.
“The fumble was brutal. That one really stung, because of the situation,” Leavitt said. “I really should have scrambled to the right. I thought about it going into the play, tried to force a checkdown, I was going up to pass it, and it slipped out of my hand. I think it got tipped. That one was pretty brutal.”
Leavitt said he needs to become a more disciplined player rather than trying to make a game-changing play in a high-pressure situation.
“Not much you can say there, other than don’t jump and pass the ball, especially at that point of the game,” he said. “I need to be a savvier player, not try to win the game on that play.”
Leavitt and the Tigers will look to bounce back Saturday when they host Mississippi State. The Bulldogs have intercepted just two passes this season, giving Leavitt an opportunity to limit mistakes against a defense that has not been especially productive at taking the ball away.
For LSU to get back in the win column, improved ball security from its starting quarterback could be just as important as his ability to move the offense.
