After opening the season with impressive televised wins over Mississippi State and then-No. 9 Virginia Tech, LSU's 44-0 victory over Middle Tennessee offered more business than excitement.

That's still an important step for the second-ranked Tigers to take in their goal to contend for the national championship. Instead of letting up between big games, they took care of business.

"I like the fact that our football team, no matter who we play, comes out with a level of excellence and with passion," LSU coach Les Miles said.

The performance was impressive on several levels that go beyond the fact that LSU (3-0, 1-0 SEC) has now won three games by a combined score of 137-7.

It started with sophomore quarterback Ryan Perrilloux's performance in his first start. LSU decided to rest starter Matt Flynn's sore ankle and Perrilloux stepped in to complete 20 of 25 passes for 298 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 37 yards.

Senior wide receiver Early Doucet did not play because of an unspecified injury so sophomore Jared Mitchell stepped in and led LSU with six receptions for 82 yards. Two first-year receivers, freshman Terrance Toliver and junior college transfer Demetrius Byrd, both caught touchdown passes.

"When you play at LSU," Miles said, "just because you go on the field with 11, it doesn't mean that the guys that are 12 and 13 and 14 behind you, that are waiting to get on the field, don't have talent.

"If somebody gets a little nicked and we want to rest him, we turn to a guy like Jared Mitchell, we turn to a guy like Byrd, who has to come in and play. They understand that it's the responsibility of the position to play like the guy that was there in front of them, and/or better. We challenged some young guys today to come in and add their talents to the room, to the team, and to me they performed well."

That developing depth could be a big factor as the Tigers move toward their goals this season. In the meantime, they've got to prepare for Sept. 22's home game against a South Carolina team that won 16-12 at Georgia two weeks ago.

"It will be a great game," senior strong safety Craig Steltz said. "It will be electric when we play an SEC team at home. We are preparing ourselves."

GAME BALL GOES TO: QB Ryan Perrilloux -- With starter Matt Flynn held out by a sore ankle, Perrilloux made his first start and completed 20 of 25 passes for 298 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 37 yards on eight carries.

KEEP AN EYE ON: WR Jared Mitchell -- With leading receiver Early Doucet sidelined by an injury, Mitchell made his first LSU start and led the Tigers with six catches for 82 yards.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "He just told me to stay focused and stay calm. He helped me out with different stuff like protections. He was there for me the whole time." -- LSU backup quarterback Ryan Perrilloux, on the role of starter Matt Flynn in Perrilloux's first start.

LOOKING GOOD: Defensive line -- The defense has allowed only seven points in three games and held a Middle Tennessee offense that produced 42 points and 555 yards in a loss to then-No. 9 Louisville to just 90 total yards and no points. It's a total team effort, but there's no doubt the line is the foundation. "It starts up front with the defensive line," MTSU running back DeMarco McNair said. "They've got a strong, solid defensive line. The linebackers are pretty fast, they move side to side and move pretty good. The defensive line, that's the main thing. If you can't get the play started then they cause a lot of trouble up front."

DB Danny McCray -- McCray plays a valuable role as a nickel back and made the most of some extended playing time against MTSY by recording two sacks on blitzes.

RB Richard Murphy and WRs Terrance Toliver and Demetrius Byrd -- Three first-year players took advantage of their own extended opportunities by scoring touchdowns.

STILL NEEDS WORK: QB Ryan Perriloux -- For all the good he did, he also threw an interception with LSU leading 10-0. The pass went directly to Middle Tennessee free safety Dana Stewart. The Tigers went 185 consecutive plays without a turnover before Perrilloux's interception.

TE Keith Zinger -- LSU's tight ends don't get the ball a lot so Zinger can't afford to be fumbling away his opportunities as he did following a six-yard reception.

Penalties -- The Tigers did a lot of things right but they also committed 10 penalties, something that might have more of an impact in a close game. One came when kicker Colt David sent a kickoff out of bounds.

ROSTER REPORT: Perrilloux made his first start because the coaches decided to rest fifth-year senior Matt Flynn, who sustained a high ankle sprain the previous week against Virginia Tech. LSU coach Les Miles indicated Flynn could have played if necessary, but the game provided the right opportunity to give Perrilloux the start and his most extended playing time.

Senior WR Early Doucet did not play with an unspecified injury that Miles said Doucet suffered in practice the day before the game, which is usually a light day for the Tigers. "The only thing I can say is it's the damndest thing I've ever been around," Miles said. "I hope we get him back." Even though Miles would not reveal the nature of the injury, the Shreveport Times reported that Doucet's teammates said it was a groin pull. "I don't think Early could have played tonight," Miles said. "I want him to heal quickly." As for Doucet's status for the South Carolina game, Miles said, "I don't have any idea."

Senior OT Will Arnold continues to be hampered by knee and ankle injuries carried over from last season and did not play.