[Tuck4Bama]

STARKVILLE — About five minutes before halftime Thursday night, LSU led Mississippi State 3-0. Thoughts of an upset at Scott Field were as thick as the humidity.

What happened after that has been well-documented: offensive ineptitude, highlighted by Michael Henig's six interceptions that led to LSU claiming a deflating 17-0 halftime lead and not looking back.

But as for glimmers of hope coming from a 45-0 loss, MSU fans have pointed to the team's early defensive performance. So has coach Sylvester Croom.

"There's no question the defense played very well early," Croom said. "Even at the end of the ballgame when things weren't going well, there was never an area in the ballgame that they gave up or gave in."

Croom liked the play of his secondary, mentioning sophomore corner Anthony Johnson and junior safety Keith Fitzhugh by name. Both made impressive pass break-ups against LSU's Matt Flynn.

Croom cites play of secondary as bright spot in blowout loss