LSU traveled to Auburn and was able to beat them with ease, finishing with a final score of 38-17. LSU’s offense and defense were able to outperform Auburn in almost every way. The offense accumulated over 550 yards, while LSU’s defense held Auburn to 271, more than half of LSU’s offensive production. The LSU defense also forced seven three-and-outs throughout the game. They controlled star quarterback Byrum Brown, limiting him to only 21 yards, his season low. The return of star tight end Trey’Dez Green was impressive.
Photo Cred: Tiger Rag
Averaging 10 yards per reception and scoring a touchdown, his return came with great expectations, and he performed well. However, the star of the night wasn’t Green, but the Hawaii transfer Jackson Harris. Harris joined the Tigers this season after spending his previous season at Hawaii. The pressure has been on quarterback hopeful Sam Leavitt, the top quarterback in the transfer portal, and a hefty check from LSU. However, Leavitt might not be the best addition to the LSU team. Leavitt is vital to the LSU offense, obviously, but Harris has proven to be much more important than fans expected.
Since Texas A&M, Harris has continued to show up for the LSU offense when he’s needed. He was leaned on heavily against A&M, totaling 163 yards, averaging 27 yards per reception, and scoring two touchdowns. Since then, he had grown a bit quiet, not reaching the 100-yard mark for the next three games. This past weekend against Auburn, Harris showed the reason Kiffin went after him in the transfer portal. He was targeted 14 times in the game and came down with nine of those passes. He totaled 178 yards, his season and career high, averaging almost 20 yards per reception and scoring two touchdowns.
Along with an electric 70-yard run that led to a touchdown, he showed off his speed and acceleration. If Leavitt keeps targeting him and giving him the opportunity to showcase his skills, Harris might just turn out to be the most valuable transfer LSU has had. Sam Leavitt has continued to show his potential and the hope that LSU fans had for him at the beginning of the season. He has reached over 2,100 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and has a QBR of 85.9, the fifth-highest in college football.
Photo Cred: SEC
Since Texas A&M, Leavitt’s rushing has decreased dramatically. Prior to the Aggies, he averaged 66 yards in three games. Including A&M, his rushing average has decreased to 25.2 yards per game. The Auburn game marked his highest rushing total since A&M, with 54 yards. Though the injury seemed to bring out the best in Leavitt, forcing him to sit in the pocket and rely on his arms. His completion percentage and touchdowns per game have increased, while his sacks have decreased.
Both players have played very well. Leavitt has the obvious advantage of being the quarterback and holding the ball on every play, while Harris is only used when Leavitt decides. However, Harris has two long touchdown runs on the year and has proved to bring electricity to the crowd with his receptions. Once the year is over, it’ll be hard to tell who was the best offensive transfer.
