LSU football’s 2026 season continues on Saturday night as Lane Kiffin leads the Tigers to face the Kentucky Wildcats in Lexington. LSU is 4-1 overall and 2-1 in conference play. LSU’s lone loss, a Week 3 game at Ole Miss, came on its only road trip so far in 2026. LSU will aim for its first win outside of Tiger Stadium.
SEC games often come down to which team gets the most out of its quarterback. LSU and Kentucky both start transfers at the position. Sam Leavitt for LSU and Kenny Minchey for Kentucky. Leavitt and Minchey were both in the 2023 high school recruiting class, before their journeys took them to the SEC.
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The numbers point to Sam Leavitt and LSU having the edge at quarterback. Per PFF, Leavitt’s passing grade is 79.5, well above Minchey’s mark of 63.7. Leavitt’s 8.8 yards per attempt beats Minchey’s 8.0, which makes sense given Leavitt’s willingness to push the ball downfield.
Minchey’s completion rate of 67.8% is just above Leavitt’s 66.2% mark, but again, Leavitt’s average depth of target is over two yards longer than Minchey’s. With that added context, Leavitt’s completion rate is more impressive.
Minchey has been better at protecting the football, throwing only one interception. Meanwhile, Leavitt leads the SEC with seven picks, but a few of those interceptions haven’t been Leavitt’s fault.
LSU football vs Kentucky: How Sam Leavitt compares to Kentucky QB Kenny Minchey
Kenny Minchey vs. Sam Leavitt: Passing
|
Stat |
Kenny Minchey (UK) |
Sam Leavitt (LSU) |
|
Dropbacks / Attempts |
163 / 143 |
168 / 139 |
|
Completion % |
67.8 |
66.2 |
|
Passing yards |
1,148 |
1,220 |
|
Yards per attempt |
8.0 |
8.8 |
|
Touchdowns |
11 |
8 |
|
Interceptions |
1 |
7 |
|
PFF passing grade |
63.7 |
79.5 |
|
PFF offense grade |
63.0 |
84.1 |
|
Adjusted accuracy % |
76.5 |
78.4 |
|
Big-time throw rate |
1.4% (2) |
5.5% (8) |
|
Turnover-worthy play rate |
1.8% (3) |
1.1% (2) |
|
Sack % |
7.4 |
6.0 |
|
Pressure-to-sack % |
31.6 |
22.2 |
|
Average depth of target |
7.1 |
9.2 |
|
Time to throw (sec.) |
2.57 |
2.90 |
|
Receiver drop rate |
4.0% |
12.4% |
Source: PFF
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LSU QB Sam Leavitt beats Minchey in the dual threat department
Kenny Minchey vs. Sam Leavitt: Rushing
|
Stat |
Kenny Minchey (UK) |
Sam Leavitt (LSU) |
|
Rush attempts |
16 |
35 |
|
Rush yards |
56 |
262 |
|
Yards per carry |
3.5 |
7.5 |
|
Rush touchdowns |
0 |
6 |
|
Scramble yards |
53 |
151 |
|
Designed-run yards |
3 |
111 |
|
Yards after contact / att. |
2.00 |
4.34 |
|
Fumbles |
2 |
2 |
|
PFF rushing grade |
52.7 |
74.9 |
Source: PFF
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU football vs. Kentucky: Comparing Sam Leavitt to Kenny Minchey
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
