Sam Leavitt played through an apparent lower-body injury in LSU’s Week 4 win over Texas A&M on Saturday, and he still managed a strong performance. The win marks LSU’s first SEC victory of 2026 and the first of Leavitt’s LSU career.
Leavitt put up two touchdowns and threw for 312 yards, completing 74% of his passes. He added five carries for 22 yards. The injury pushed him to move through his reads faster in the pocket, resulting in a strong performance. Four receivers caught passes from him, with two finishing with more than 100 receiving yards.
Leavitt’s Day Against Texas A&M
Leavitt’s numbers were consistent across the board. He completed nearly three-quarters of his passes while throwing for 312 yards and two touchdowns. His five carries for 22 yards showed he was not limited to the air, though the ground game was modest.
The damage required him to move through his reads from the pocket at a quicker pace, and that change produced a remarkable performance. The shift in timing shows he was adapting while facing pressure.
The Receivers Who Stood Out
Four receivers caught passes from Leavitt throughout the contest. Two of those pass-catchers reached over 100 receiving yards apiece, a detail that speaks to how the team spread its throws around. The remaining two receivers between them accounted for the rest of the targets.
How the Rating Changed
In ESPN’s adjusted total quarterback rating (QBR), Leavitt jumped up to No. 31 nationally with a 79.6 rating. That is almost four whole points better than last week.
A week of noticeable improvement in Leavitt’s play came before this rise. The figure measures every action a quarterback takes on the field, including passing, running and choices made under pressure.
The SEC Race
Five SEC quarterbacks rank ahead of Leavitt in QBR:
- Georgia’s Gunner Stockton (90.6)
- Alabama’s Keelon Russell (89)
- Mississippi State’s Kamario Taylor (87.1)
- Ole Miss’ Trinidad Chambliss (85.6)
- Florida’s Aaron Philo (85.4)
At the head of the group is Stockton, who takes the lead at 90.6. Russell follows closely behind him, landing at 89. Leavitt trails slightly further back, settling into position just outside the top five at 79.6.
What the Injury Means for LSU
LSU’s upcoming game against McNeese on Saturday is likely to keep Leavitt’s health at the center of attention. After that, the remainder of the conference schedule follows.
The Tigers’ quarterback played with evident assurance even though he was hurting. His composure under pressure stands out particularly given the injury he had to play through.
The Road Ahead
LSU’s upcoming schedule includes McNeese, followed by the rest of the conference slate. Leavitt’s injury status will be closely watched each week.
So far, the initial results look promising. Leavitt played through his injuries, produced strong statistics, and demonstrated poise under pressure in the pocket.
See the a run of 16 images at Yahoo Sports.
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