{
  "id": 11834126,
  "title": "Sam Leavitt leads LSU to 63-14 victory over McNeese State",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/sam-leavitt-leads-lsu-to-63-14-victory-over-mcneese-state",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-04T03:30:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/sam-leavitt-leads-lsu-63-033013346.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Baton Rouge, LA (AP) - In a dominating display, No. 11 LSU vanquished McNeese State 63-14 on Saturday night. Quarterback Sam Leavitt led the Tigers with 173 passing yards and three touchdowns. Running back Harlem Berry added 125 yards and a touchdown, while Stacy Gage contributed 110 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. The Tigers racked up a staggering 731 total offensive yards, marking the second-highest single-game total in LSU history and the most since 2023. With 731 offensive plays, LSU set a new school record. Early on, Tamarcus Cooley intercepted McNeese State quarterback Jake Strong on the first play, and Dilin Jones capitalized with a one-yard touchdown run to give the Tigers an early 7-0 lead. A series of three-and-out drives by McNeese State's defense allowed LSU to establish dominance. Leavitt connected with Roman Mothershed for a 1-yard touchdown pass and Corey Barber Jr. with a 6-yard touchdown pass, followed by Landen Clark's 3-yard touchdown run, putting LSU up 28-0. Barber finished with six catches for 76 yards and two touchdowns. Leavitt completed 18 of 23 passes. LSU's defense forced McNeese State to only cross midfield once in the first half. Freshman defensive tackle Deuce Geralds scored a yard after a direct snap on LSU's opening possession of the second half, extending the lead to 42-0. Gage's 46-yard and 39-yard runs in the second half sealed the shutout. McNeese State scored its most points in three games against LSU, surpassing the 10 points they scored in 2010. Quarterback Leavitt, nursing a hamstring injury, was effective, completing 10 of his first 12 passes. Backup quarterback Clark saw a majority of the action in the third quarter. LSU's next game is against Kentucky on October 17, while McNeese State travels to Northwestern State on the same date.",
  "summary": "(AP) — Sam Leavitt threw for 173 yards and three touchdowns and No. 11 LSU beat McNeese State 63-14 on Saturday night.",
  "key_points": [
    "LSU defeats McNeese State 63-14 in dominant display.",
    "Quarterback Sam Leavitt records 173 passing yards and 3 TDs.",
    "Running back Harlem Berry adds 125 yards and a touchdown."
  ],
  "editors_take": "This dominating win cements LSU's strong early season form, with a record-breaking 731 total offensive yards and a shutout for most of the game, showcasing their depth and talent.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Sam Leavitt leads LSU to 63-14 victory over McNeese State",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/sam-leavitt-leads-lsu-to-63-14-victory-over-mcneese-state-11834770",
        "published": "2026-10-04T03:30:49.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}