LSU’s defense thought it would be ready for whatever punch No. 23 Ole Miss threw at it during it’s 38-21 win versus the Rebels on Saturday.
Stopping a fast-paced offense? LSU (5-2, 3-1 Southeastern Conference) shut down Missouri’s then-top-ranked Southeastern Conference offense on Oct. 1.
Defending a dual-threat quarterback? LSU faced a solid test against Jacksonville State’s Eli Jenkins on Sept. 10.
“First half was pretty fast,” said sophomore defensive end Arden Key.
The multitude of spread offenses the Tigers faced was enough for them to be ready the high-powered Ole Miss offense, which is first in the league in passing yards per game.
But, in a flash, Ole Miss was leading 10-0 in the first quarter after nearly six minutes of play.
“We were trying to do too much in the first quarter,” said junior defensive end Davon Godchaux. “We don’t let people score on us on the first drive.”
Chad Kelly and Ole Miss’ offense “frustrated” and tested the Tigers, defensive players said.
Sophomore cornerback Donte Jackson was targeted early, and often, in the first half. Jackson drew three pass interference penalties for a total of 31 yards.
Jackson couldn’t catch a break.
“Coach Raymond knew the technique that he taught us how to play,” Jackson said. “He knew I was doing that technique, the ref was just flag happy.”
After a Rebels touchdown made the score 21-19, Ole Miss lined up for a field goal, but Key lost his “composure” and gifted Kelly and the Ole Miss offense a few extra yards after an unsportmanlike penalty. The flag led to a touchdown and a two-point conversion.
The Rebels offense chalked 221 total yards in the first half and LSU allowed 221 total yards of offense and surrendered 21 points — the most points it has all season.
LSU’s defensive veterans had to tell its starters to relax.
“I had to calm Arden down,” said senior linebacker Duke Riley. “I was like man ‘If they tell you something just laugh at it and go on with the next play.’ People are going to talk and say stuff to get you out your game.”
Riley, however, stayed composed and posted a career-high 14 tackles in the victory and in the second half Ole Miss’ offense looked like a shell of itself.
In his assessment of his play, Riley said he could’ve added more to the stat sheet.
“I missed a few honestly,” Riley said. “I give my credit to my D-line and Kendell next to me … It’s easy when you have guys like Davon Godchaux, Lewis Neal, Arden Key.”
Kelly and Ole Miss only gained a mere 104 yards in the second half and Kelly was pressured twice — once by Godchaux and other from Key.
LSU’s defense also forced Kelly to throw an interception to Riley, who said it was his first since high school, and shut down the Rebels’ running game to 47 yards in the second half.
The momentum had shifted. LSU’s players felt it.
“We slowed them down to one dimensional,” Key said. “I was tired the first drive. It kind of caught us off guard.”
For the LSU defense, it’s the second-straight second half shut out, halting the Rebels No. 3 SEC scoring offense to zero points in the final 30 minutes.
LSU’s defensive coordinator, Dave Aranda, made all the right adjustments at halftime, LSU coach Ed Orgeron said.
“He’s like a mad scientist,” Orgeron said. “The preparation that the does during the week to be able to get everybody on the same page … He does a tremendous job of preparation.”
