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LEAD STORY: LSU's Ole Miss Film Shows a Workhorse Back and Holes Up Front
LSU's trip to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Sept. 19 had a clear bright spot: running back Dilin Jones. The Wisconsin transfer ran for 106 yards, his second 100-yard game of the season, and 57 of them came after contact. LSU gained only 117 yards in the first half. Jones still ground out 44 of them, including 35 on the drive that ended with his touchdown just over two minutes before halftime. It was the Tigers' only score of the half. He added 62 more yards after the break.
The passing game came in the third quarter. With LSU down 24-14, Sam Leavitt hit Trey'Dez Green on a big gain that set up the offense just outside the red zone. Then a false start pushed the Tigers back to 3rd-and-13. LSU called the same end-zone route that had just fallen incomplete to Jackson Harris, this time for Winnie Watkins. Watkins made a leaping catch to cut the lead to 24-21. He finished with 3 catches for 54 yards and a touchdown.
The defense had its own turnaround. Dashawn Spears, one of LSU's most dynamic players at the STAR spot, left with an injury. His first replacement struggled. In the second half, Tamarcus Cooley moved to STAR and true sophomore Jhase Thomas took over at safety. Thomas played all over the field and finished as LSU's highest-graded player at 78.6.
The negatives were just as clear. Leavitt looked rushed early, settled in during the second half, then slipped again on the final drive. On 1st-and-goal he tucked the ball and ran while Harris was open in the end zone. Two plays later he missed an uncovered Zach Grace. Left guard Bo Bordelon posted a 41.3 overall grade from Pro Football Focus and a 14.8 pass-blocking grade, and much of the pressure came up the middle. Cornerback PJ Woodland had been targeted twice in the first two games. Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss threw his way 7 times, and Woodland allowed 4 catches for 47 yards and a touchdown and missed 2 tackles.
QUICK HITS
- Georgia gets its first real test: Georgia has beaten WKU, Tennessee State and Arkansas, with the offensive line controlling the line of scrimmage. Now the Bulldogs host Oklahoma in Athens this Saturday, the first time the Sooners have played there. The Oklahoma offense has sputtered, but its defense should test Georgia's front. Separately, plans for a future Georgia-Clemson series have been called off.
- Mizzou hoops starts practice: Missouri's men's and women's basketball teams both held their first official practices. The men play exhibitions at Kansas State (Oct. 23) and UNLV (Oct. 29), then open the regular season against Cleveland State on Nov. 3. The women play an exhibition against Lincoln in 37 days and open the regular season Nov. 2 against Howard.
- Mizzou women's golf wins big at home: Missouri won the Johnie Imes Invitational at 22-under, 32 strokes ahead of runner-up Missouri State. Senior Addie Dobson won her first college title at 15-under (66-68-67), and Melanie Walker finished second at 5-under. Four Tigers finished in the top five. Dobson and Walker are playing under temporary eligibility, and a hearing on their status is set for Sept. 28.
- Golfweek Red Sky Classic: LSU women's golf posted the best team round of the day. Denton is tied for third and Knaub tied for 10th. Fernández García-Poggio leads the way for Texas A&M.
- Lady Vols finish fourth in Ontario: Tennessee women's golf placed fourth at the Canadian Collegiate Invitational at Beacon Hall Golf Club. Messimer finished in the top five.
PORTAL WATCH
There was no transfer portal activity in the last 12 hours. The window is quiet as programs focus on conference play.
RECRUITING BUZZ
No new football commitments came in overnight, but Tennessee softball added a future piece. Class of 2028 outfielder Caelyn Campos committed to the Lady Vols on Tuesday, according to D1Softball.
GAMES TO WATCH
No games are scheduled today. Saturday has two big matchups:
- Oklahoma at Georgia: Georgia's dominant offensive line faces a proven Oklahoma defense. This is the Bulldogs' first real test of the season.
- Mississippi State at Missouri: Missouri is coming off an ugly win over Troy and now faces Mississippi State's veer-and-shoot offense, which is built for explosive plays. Missouri defender Colin Simmons called Mississippi State "the most explosive team in college" and said, "If we don't limit their explosive plays, we are going to be in trouble."
