Some things are just meant to be.
The No. 16 LSU football team defeated No. 7 Ole Miss, 10-7, on Saturday because of its persistent and revenge-driven defensive unit.
“[Defensive coordinator John] Chavis challenged us early in the week to be prepared and to take on the challenge because last year, those guys threw for over 300‐plus yards on us,” said LSU senior safety Ronald Martin. “[Defensive backs coach Corey] Raymond challenged us also. We just have to step up to the challenge.”
The Tigers (7-2, 3-2 Southeastern Conference) shut down an Ole Miss (7-1, 4-1 SEC) offense ranked third in the SEC, giving LSU its fifth win in the past five years against a top-10 opponent in Tiger Stadium.
The LSU defense suffocated the Rebels’ offense, allowing 206 yards and forcing a punt or turnover on downs on four of the Rebels’ five first-half possessions. But with the offense struggling to get the ball in the end zone, the plays the Tigers didn’t make in the first half almost proved to be vital.
The Tigers dropped three potential interceptions in the first half, including a drop by LSU junior defensive back Jalen Collins in the red zone, which set up the Rebels for an early 7-0 lead.
“You just got to capitalize on those plays, but we just kept fighting and tried to get as many stops as possible,” Collins said.
The Tigers were concerned by the lack of plays made in the first half, with their offense seemingly controlling the game but having only a field goal to show heading into the locker room. LSU controlled time of possession in the first half, holding on to the ball for 20:03 compared to Ole Miss’ 9:57.
LSU sophomore defensive back Tre’Davious White said defensive backs pride themselves on turnovers and not coming up with those plays was troubling.
“Coach [Les] Miles always stresses if we win the turnover margin, we win the game, and for us to not come up with those, come Monday we’ll be on the jug machine for sure,” White said.
The Tigers went into halftime holding Ole Miss under 45 percent on third downs, but LSU senior defensive end Jermauria Rasco said the defense needed to work out some kinks to fully execute its game plan.
“The whole first half we were doing what we were supposed to be doing as a defense, we just had to work on the little things,” Rasco said. “We talked about certain adjustments, and we got that done. We just went out in the second half and finished the best way we can.”
The Tigers stiffened up after giving up a 55-yard drive on the Rebels’ first possession of the second half, forcing four straight three-and-outs leading to LSU’s go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
LSU swamped Ole Miss’ offense, holding it to (-23) yards during the 12-play span, putting ample pressure on Ole Miss senior quarterback Bo Wallace and forcing the Rebels’ offense to commit penalties.
“We responded well as a whole, and we knew what we had to do,” said LSU sophomore linebacker Kendell Beckwith. “We tried to capitalize on the big plays and the opportunities we were offered. We came back in the second half and made those plays happen. I feel like we had them where we wanted them, and I thought we needed to finish it off.”
The Tigers sacked Wallace twice, and he struggled to make plays on offense in the second half. Miles said the pressure on the quarterback was key to quieting the Rebels’ potent air attack in the second half.
“The pressure on the opponent, specifically the front four, were always around the ball,” Miles said. “Can’t tell you the number of balls we knocked down. That’s nerve-wracking to a quarterback, and I think it doesn’t allow them the ability to have easy plays. When you do that, that means every play is on address and being worked.”
After the Tigers forced the Rebels to turn the ball over on downs with 1:44 remaining in the fourth quarter, Ole Miss had one more shot at points with 1:19 remaining. The Rebels drove down the field, but Wallace heaved a ball to the end zone with 9 seconds remaining.
This time, LSU’s defense made the play. Martin came down with the interception at the two-yard line, sealing the upset victory for the Tigers.
“I just read the quarterback,” Martin said. “I saw him roll to the left, and once he threw it, I broke to the ball as fast as I could, and I made the play.”
After missed opportunities to come down with the ball in the first half, Martin secured a long-awaited turnover for the Tigers’ first and only forced turnover of the game.
The Tigers struggled to catch the break they needed on defense for three-plus quarters, but they came through in a big way when they needed it most.
“It was [fitting for the game to end on an interception] with Ronald [Martin] trying to get that pick a couple plays before when Jalen Mills got the pass interference,” White said. “That’s what we come here for, for big time games like this, and to bring DBU back.”
You can reach Jack Chascin on Twitter @Chascin_TDR.