LSU Beat Auburn 38-17 as Leavitt Throws for 387 Yards and Four Total Touchdowns

LSU beat Auburn 38-17 at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday behind the best game of Sam Leavitt's LSU career. Leavitt completed 32 of 45 passes for 387 yards and three touchdowns and ran for a fourth score, and the Tigers built a 31-10 halftime lead that Auburn never threatened. Jackson Harris caught nine passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns, both career highs. LSU improved to 6-2 with its first road win since the 2025 season opener at Clemson. Auburn fell to 4-3 and 2-3 in the SEC, one week after its upset of No. 1 Georgia.

The teams traded field goals early, Scott Starzyk from 30 yards for LSU and Alex McPherson from 23 for Auburn. Leavitt then found Harris for a 10-yard touchdown with 3:48 left in the first quarter, and the second quarter broke the game open. Trey'Dez Green, back after missing four games with a knee injury suffered at Ole Miss, capped a 95-yard drive with a 15-yard touchdown catch. Auburn answered once, Byrum Brown scrambling for a long gain and then plunging in from a yard out to cut the lead to seven. It lasted three plays. Leavitt hit Harris for a 70-yard touchdown, then ran for a four-yard score late in the half. Auburn's defense had forced a turnover in every game this season until Saturday. LSU gave it none that counted, and an apparent Leavitt interception in the second quarter was overturned.

Why it matters

Auburn's win at Georgia last week was the result of the SEC season, and Saturday showed how fast the league punishes a team that celebrates too long. Coach Alex Golesh warned all week about a hangover. It arrived anyway. His team allowed 552 yards, the most it has given up this season, and managed 271 yards of offense, its lowest total of the year. LSU, meanwhile, answered the question that followed it out of September. The Tigers had lost every SEC road game they played since 2024. Winning by three touchdowns at Jordan-Hare, against a ranked-caliber defense, ends that conversation.

The context

Leavitt's day was built on Harris. The two connected four times for 47 yards on LSU's second possession alone, and Auburn defensive coordinator DJ Durkin never found an answer. Brown was sacked six times, three of them in a scoreless third quarter when LSU's defense, run by Blake Baker, closed the game down. LSU added its final touchdown early in the fourth quarter, Dilin Jones spinning through contact on a 12-yard run. Auburn backup Tristan Ti'a threw for 44 yards and ran in a late touchdown for the final margin. At halftime, LSU coach Lane Kiffin credited his line. "They've moved the ball really good," he said. "We've really controlled the line of scrimmage really well."

What happens next

Auburn travels to Ole Miss next week, and the schedule does not soften after that. LSU goes home at 6-2 with its offense in its best form of the season and a defense that has now dominated two straight games. The Tigers' road problem is solved. The next question is how far Leavitt and Harris can take them in November.

Key numbers

• Final score: LSU 38, Auburn 17
• Sam Leavitt: 32 of 45 passing, 387 yards, 3 passing touchdowns, 1 rushing touchdown, no interceptions
• Jackson Harris: 9 catches, 178 yards, 2 touchdowns, all career highs
• LSU total offense: 552 yards. Auburn total offense: 271 yards
• Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown was sacked six times
• Halftime score: LSU 31, Auburn 10