In what was arguably the biggest game thus far in its season, LSU traveled north to Oxford, Mississippi, to take on Ole Miss. This was the first time since 2003 that the two teams have faced each other in a top-20 matchup. That was Eli Manning’s last year as a Rebel.
Unfortunately for LSU, however, this game’s outcome wasn’t the same as that Oxford game in 2003. The Rebels took down the Tigers 55-49.
“If you like a lot of points, I guess you like the game,” head coach Brian Kelly said following the loss. “I didn’t like it, particularly. It’s not the way I like to play football, but hats off to Ole Miss. They made a couple of plays at the end that they needed to and deserved to win.”
Ole Miss started the night in a dominant fashion. Less than five minutes into the first quarter, quarterback Jaxson Dart fired a short 4-yard pass to his receiver Quinshon Judkins, noting the first score of the game. The Rebels marked their territory early, displaying a type of dominance in all aspects of the ball that the Tigers seemed to lack, especially in the first quarter.
“They know that that’s not the standard, and I expect them to come back Monday ready to make sure they address and we address as coaches what we need to do better as well,” Kelly said.
Though Ole Miss was coming off of a tough loss against Alabama, the Rebels played as if they had something to prove — and prove it they did.
Ole Miss brags a brutal pass-rushing game. With LSU’s ever-wavering offensive line, it was obvious that the Tigers would have to solidify their line of defense quickly and protect their quarterback, Jayden Daniels. The line struggled, though, to do just that throughout the entire game.
The Rebels showcased a dominant offense, led by Dart and his plethora of receivers. Along with Judkins, Jordan Watkins, Tre Harris, Dayton Wade, Caden Prieskorn and Zakhari Franklin also contributed points to the scoreboard for Ole Miss. LSU’s defense, as it has been, was nearly non-existent, allowing wide-open routes and vulnerable receivers to move without a scratch.
“We were in position,” Kelly said. “We didn’t make the plays that we needed to make. Those guys were either one-on-one or in a position to make a play. Ole Miss was better.”
Fortunately for LSU, however, its defense eventually started to tighten up. Though it wasn’t perfect, neither was Ole Miss’. The Tigers matched the strides that the Rebels were setting.
The game eventually became a battle between the offenses. When one team scored, the other quickly responded either with a long drive or a touchdown of their own.
In total, the Rebels collected a quite impressive total of 389 passing yards. They rushed for 317 yards.
LSU collected a total of 414 passing yards. It rushed for 223 yards.
Daniels put together another solid performance. He manages to keep the offense going even when the connections between his receivers are lacking. Fans watch week after week as he hurls himself through defenders. Like a cat with nine lives, the quarterback always comes out unscathed.
In the second quarter of the game, Daniels took his team’s offense by the reins. Maybe it was frustration or maybe it was necessity, but the quarterback seemed to showcase all of the qualities fans were unhappy to witness in his first season at LSU: He rushed. Daniels ultimately accounted for 99 rushing yards. Of Daniels’ 36 attempts, 27 were completed.
That sudden energy from Daniels sent a jolt through the offense, creating the unanticipated high scoring game fans saw.
The Tigers are hoping to glue back together the broken pieces of their team, on both sides of the ball, before they hit the road again for yet another tough Southeastern Conference matchup.
LSU’s next game will be a battle of the Tigers as the team travels to Columbia, Missouri. That game is set to take place on Oct. 7 at 11 a.m.
