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For the first time this season, the LSU offense saved the day.
In a game that felt more like a Big 12 shootout than a Southeastern Conference defensive duel, LSU’s season-high 470 yards of total offense kept the Tigers in the game while LSU’s SEC-leading defense allowed 420 yards of offense to Ole Miss — its third-highest total allowed of the season.
Despite the subpar defensive showing, LSU (10-1, 6-1) out-slugged the Rebels (4-7, 1-6) 43-36, marking the first time LSU has notched back-to-back 40-point games since the opening of the 2008 season.
The Tigers’ struggles against the Rebels — who fell, 52-14, to Tennessee just a week ago — didn’t cost them too much in national perception, however.
LSU held on to its No. 5 spot in Sunday’s BCS rankings, making the Tigers the nation’s highest-ranked one-loss team. LSU also stayed firm at No. 6 in the USA Today Coaches Poll but dropped a spot, from No. 5 to No. 6, in the Associated Press rankings.
The dismantling of the Tiger defense came at the hands of yet another dual threat, option-read offense that has given LSU problems all year long.
“The defense has trouble with a running quarterback, there’s no question about that,” said LSU coach Les Miles. “That quarterback was hot as a firecracker. Also, give credit to Houston Nutt and Ole Miss. They came in ready to play.”
Ole Miss quarterback Jeremiah Masoli passed for 177 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 64 more yards and two scores.
Defensive coordinator John Chavis gave credit to the Rebel offense, saying they stretched the Tiger defense thin and created lanes of running room.
“This offense with Masoli running it is a tough offense,” Chavis said. “It challenges you, and it stretches you all over the field, and they did a good job. Some of our badness or the way we looked, you have to give Ole Miss some credit for that.”
But Masoli wasn’t the only quarterback taking care of business.
LSU junior quarterback Jordan Jefferson threw for a career-high 254 yards and scrambled for 45 yards, accounting for two Tiger touchdowns.
Adding to Jefferson’s efforts was redshirt freshman running back Michael Ford, who scampered for 58 yards on just nine carries and had a 54-yard touchdown run shortened to a 14-yard gain early in the third quarter after an official review.
“Mike did a great job, and he’s a great player,” said LSU junior running back Stevan Ridley. “He has done an exceptional job. When you get your number called you have to go out there and do something with it, and that’s what Michael did tonight.”
Ford’s outing marked his second-highest total of the season, behind his 86-yard game against McNeese State on Oct. 16.
And while several underclassmen shined on senior day, the veterans made one final showing in front of a home crowd of 92,915.
The group of seniors went undefeated at home in their final season and have compiled a 38-12 record in the past four seasons.
“I’m really proud of this senior class,” Miles said. “This senior class has played a significant role in what is a series of great seasons here at LSU. They’re in position to get degrees, they’re great leaders, and I think this game is kind of typical of them. It’s a tremendous group of men.”
Senior defensive tackle Drake Nevis garnered four tackles and scooped up a fumble. Fellow senior and starting middle linebacker Kelvin Sheppard also racked up 10 tackles.
But the biggest contributions from the senior class may have come from the special teams. Seniors Derek Helton and Josh Jasper totaled 91 yards in their two punts, an average of 45.5 yards per punt.
Jasper was also a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals on the night, hitting from 24, 25 and 31 yards, respectively.
“It means a lot to me to come out and have a solid day in the last home game,” Jasper said. “I’m just real happy I got to perform to the best of my abilities.”
Jasper leads the entire nation with 23 field goals made and ranks in the top 20 with an 85.2 field goal percentage. Jasper has also made 29 of 30 extra points on the year.
“When you turn and you expect a guy to be steady and to hit it, we count on those 3-pointers,” Miles said. “He steps right up and drills it. We’ll miss him. I can tell you that. We’ll miss him.”
With all the seniors looking back on their four-year careers at LSU, Sheppard said the one lasting memory he will have came just two weeks ago.
“In Tiger Stadium for the Alabama game, I’ll never forget that one,” Sheppard said. “I could tell you every play — play by play — what happened in the Alabama game. The emotions were raised in that game … that’s my biggest memory from Tiger Stadium.”
 
 
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