The 18th-ranked LSU Tigers emphatically ended an eight-game SEC road losing streak dating to the 2024 season, dominating Auburn 38-17.
It’s the largest margin of victory over Auburn away from Tiger Stadium in the history of this series.
Quarterback Sam Leavitt accounted for four touchdowns, Jackson Harris emerged as LSU’s top receiving threat, and the defense delivered another strong performance, holding Auburn to 271 total yards.
Here are five takeaways from LSU’s victory.
- Sam Leavitt continues to improve
Leavitt looks increasingly comfortable in Lane Kiffin and Charlie Weis Jr.’s offense, and his performance against Auburn was another sign of his progress.
He completed 29-of-41 passes for 350 yards and three touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Leavitt was particularly effective in the first half, completing 21-of-27 passes for 261 yards and accounting for four touchdowns as LSU built a commanding lead.
He had one errant throw that initially appeared to result in an interception, but video review showed the defender did not complete the catch. LSU retained possession and eventually scored during a 21-point second quarter.
Outside of that play, Leavitt was accurate and decisive, continuing a stretch of strong performances that should give LSU confidence heading into the final month of the regular season.
- Jackson Harris emerges as LSU’s top receiver
Harris had just five catches through LSU’s first three games, but the Hawaii transfer has become an increasingly important part of the passing game.
Against Auburn, he delivered his best performance of the season, catching nine passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns.
His 70-yard touchdown reception on third-and-five was a backbreaker for Auburn. The explosive play extended LSU’s lead and took much of the energy out of the home crowd.
Harris left the game in the fourth quarter after attempting a diving catch, although the injury did not initially appear serious.
- LSU’s defense shuts down Byrum Brown
LSU’s defense continued to make life difficult for opposing SEC offenses, limiting Auburn to 271 total yards.
The priority was containing quarterback Byrum Brown, particularly his ability to make plays with his legs. Brown’s biggest run was a 34-yard scramble in the second quarter that took Auburn to the one-yard line to set up a touchdown.
Otherwise, LSU kept him under control. Brown finished with just 21 rushing yards on 19 carries and one rushing touchdown.
The Tigers also took advantage of Auburn’s struggles in pass protection. LSU entered the game with 27 sacks, second-most nationally, while Auburn had surrendered 23 sacks.
LSU recorded six sacks against Brown and finished with seven sacks for the game. Jordan Ross had two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss, while Princewill Umanmielen added another sack to bring his season total to nine.
Cornerback P.J. Woodland also had a productive afternoon, recording nine tackles and a pass breakup.
- Kiffin’s aggressiveness pays off on fourth down
Kiffin acknowledged regretting his decision not to go for it on fourth-and-one late in regulation in LSU’s overtime loss to Kentucky. Against Auburn, he showed a willingness to take calculated risks.
LSU passed on an early opportunity to go for it on fourth-and-two from its own 38-yard line while leading 10-3.
But in the second quarter, facing fourth-and-two at its own 31, LSU executed a flea-flicker that produced an 11-yard completion to tight end Trey’Dez Green for a first down.
The Tigers also converted fourth-and-one on Auburn’s 46-yard line in the third quarter with a Leavitt quarterback sneak.
LSU converted another fourth down in the fourth quarter while holding a 28-point lead.
Those decisions reflected confidence in the offense and helped LSU maintain possession and keep pressure on Auburn.
- What does the win mean for LSU?
The victory improves LSU’s record to 6-2 heading into its bye week. Combined with the Tigers’ 31-0 shutout of Mississippi State, the back-to-back dominant performances give LSU momentum heading into the season’s most important stretch.
More importantly, LSU appears to be improving at the right time. Leavitt is playing some of his best football, the passing game has developed another reliable weapon in Harris, and the defense continues to produce pressure and limit opposing offenses.
The Tigers still have work to do if they want to earn a College Football Playoff berth, but the Auburn victory strengthens their case.
LSU’s bye week comes at a useful time before a difficult November schedule that begins with a November 7 home matchup against Alabama, followed by Texas at home and a trip to Tennessee.
