Game Notes: LSU opens SEC play against Mississippi State

LSU (1-1) jumps into Southeastern Conference action this week when the Tigers host Mississippi State (2-0) at 5 p.m. in Tiger Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ESPN with Joe Tessitore (pxp), Greg McElroy (analyst) and Katie George (reporter) calling the action. LSU is coming off a 65-17 win over Southern last week, while Mississippi State posted a 39-17 road win over Arizona. It will mark the first meeting between LSU coach Brian Kelly and MSU coach Mike Leach. Last year, LSU beat the Bulldogs, 28-25, in Starkville. LSU leads the overall series with Mississippi State, which dates back to 1896, 76-36-3.

Brian Kelly: Most Accomplished Hire in LSU History
First-year LSU coach Brian Kelly joined the program as the most accomplished hire in school history, coming to Baton Rouge after winning 284 games and claiming three National Coach of the Year honors in his previous 31 years as a head coach. Kelly’s career-mark stands at 285-98-2 and includes seven 10-win seasons at Notre Dame. In 12 years at Notre Dame, Kelly guided the Irish to 10 bowl appearances, including two College Football Playoff games and the BCS National Championship Game in 2012. Kelly ranks first among all active FBS head coaches in career wins (no matter the division) with 285. He went 113-40 at Notre Dame (12 years), 34-6 at Cincinnati (4 years), 19-16 at Central Michigan (3 years) and 118-35-2 at Grand Valley State (13 years).

Quick Notes on the Tigers
• A week after becoming the first QB in LSU history to pass for 200 yards and rush for 100 yards in a game decided in regulation, Jayden Daniels accounted for 4 TDs (3 pass, 1 rush) in the win over Southern.
• Dating back to the Florida State game, Daniels has led LSU on touchdown drives on 8 consecutive possessions (last 3 vs. Florida State, first 5 vs. Southern).
• In just over a quarter of action vs. Southern, Daniels completed 10-of-11 passes for 137 yards and 3 TDs. He also scored LSU’s first TD on an 18-yard run.
• In 2 games, Daniels has accounted for 6 TDs (5 pass, 1 rush) and has completed 77.8 percent of his passes (35-of-45) for 346 yards and no interceptions.
• 11 players caught passes vs. Southern led by Chris Hilton (5-47) and Kayshon Boutte (5-42-1 TD).
• Offensively, LSU is averaging 449.0 yards per game (184.5 rushing, 264.5 passing).
• Daniels leads the Tigers in rushing with 132 yards and 1 TD on 19 carries. He’s averaging 6.9 yards a rush.
• Armoni Goodwin (99 yards) and Noah Cain (74) are LSU’s top two rushers out of the backfield Both players have 2 rushing TDs.
• Malik Nabers leads LSU in receptions (8) and receiving yards (123), while Jaray Jenkins is tops on the team in receiving TDs with 2.
• Defensively, LSU is allowing 327.0 yards per game (166.5 rushing, 160.5 passing).
• LSU has allowed only 7 first half points in 2 games and the Tigers are limiting opponents to just 4-of-7 on redzone opportunities (2 TDs, 2 FGs).
• S Major Burns and LB Greg Penn lead the Tigers in tackles with 11 each. Burns is also tops on the team with 2.5 tackles for loss.
• In his first career start (he started in place of BJ Ojulari), JACK LB Desmond Little had 6 tackles, recovered a fumble and broke up a pass in win over Southern.
• Thru 2 games, 12 players have earned their first start in an LSU uniform (vs. Florida State – QB Daniels, LT Campbell, LG Frazier, RB Cain, CB Richardson, CB Garner, and Nickel Brooks; vs. Southern – RB Goodwin, TE M. Taylor, LB Little, DE S. Jones, DB Bernard-Converse).