LSU Triumphs Over Ole Miss In a Sensational OT Thriller

© Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

The LSU Tigers (5-1, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) hosted the Ole Miss Rebels (5-2, 1-2) on Oct. 12 in Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. The Tigers celebrated 100 years of Tiger Stadium in the 113th meeting between the two teams. The game provided celebration-level fireworks as LSU downed the Rebels 29-26 in overtime.

Game Summary

The Magnolia Bowl was one of the more highly anticipated games coming into the season, and it did not disappoint. After each team started the game with a three-and-out, and both teams were held scoreless in the first quarter, the offenses came alive. Through the first seven drives of the game, the Tigers and Rebels combined for 0 points and 129 total yards. Over the next eight drives, they combined to score 30 points in the second quarter, including 20 total points in the last 5:33 of the first half.

While the scoreboard didn't quite reflect the offenses' production, the teams combined for 885 yards of total offensive yards.

It was a game of miscues and missed opportunities. Both teams dealt with turnovers, penalties and injuries. The nation's leading receiver, Ole Miss' Tre Harris, dropped a potential touchdown bomb from Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart but recovered and finished the game with over 100 yards and 1 touchdown.

Dart and the Rebels were without Harris in the crucial moments of the fourth quarter and overtime after he left late in the game with an injury.

LSU entered the game with injury issues at the receiver position. But, LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier threw more passes of 20-plus yards in this game than in any previous game in his career.

Neither quarterback was overly efficient, but they combined to throw for over 620 yards.

Standout Performances

The LSU defense stepped up. While Dart entered the matchup averaging 350 yards passing per game, LSU held him under 300 yards, allowing him to complete only 57 percent of his passes. The Tigers hit Dart all game and sacked him 6 times including on the last play of regulation.

Nussmeier also did not have an impressive completion percentage, but he repeatedly completed passes that the Tigers needed, including multiple completions resulting in crucial third and fourth down conversions. With 27 seconds left in the game, Nussmeier hit receiver Aaron Anderson for a 23-yard score. LSU kicked the extra point to send the game into overtime.

After the Tigers defense once again stood tall against Dart and held the Rebels to a field goal, Nussmeier hit his biggest throw of the night, a beautiful back shoulder dime to receiver Kyren Lacy. It doesn't get much better than a walk-off dot in overtime at night in Death Valley.

Looking Ahead: LSU

The win keeps the Tigers firmly in the mix for the SEC Championship and a playoff appearance. Up next is a road trip against the rival Arkansas Razorbacks (4-2, 2-1). The Razorbacks have proven to be no pushover. The Tigers will have to avoid a letdown after the emotional victory.

Looking Ahead: Ole Miss

It's not all over for Ole Miss. The Rebels probably can't afford another loss, but with the parody in college football so far this season, Ole Miss may still have a road to the playoffs. The schedule doesn't get any easier as they get the No. 18 Oklahoma Sooners (4-2, 1-2) at home in the next game.