LSU pulled off a stunning 29-26 overtime victory against Ole Miss, extending their win streak over their SEC rival at home for over a decade and a half. Ole Miss had not won in Death Valley since 2008 or back-to-back games in the rivalry since 2008-09, and those streaks continued after Saturday’s game. Despite being one play away from securing a win, LSU managed to tie the game in the final minute of the fourth quarter with a 23-yard touchdown pass. In overtime, their 25-yard touchdown pass sealed the victory.
Throughout the game, LSU caught some breaks to stay in contention. They recovered a fumble just before halftime, allowing them to kick a late field goal and keep the deficit at just four points. Ole Miss, on the other hand, missed opportunities, such as turning the ball over when trying to run out the clock late in the game. Despite holding Ole Miss to a field goal and needing a touchdown to tie, LSU managed to respond quickly with a game-tying score in the subsequent drive. LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier finished the game with three touchdown passes and 337 passing yards after a shaky start with two interceptions.
Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart passed for 284 yards with one touchdown and one interception, supported by receivers Cayden Lee and Tre Harris each with over 100 receiving yards. LSU, coming into the game with a four-game winning streak, had previously faced weaker teams like UCLA and South Alabama. Both LSU coach Brian Kelly and Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin, with 100 career FBS wins, are the only active coaches in the conference with such a record. Kiffin has earned 39 wins since joining Mississippi, and would have become the fastest to reach 40 wins in Ole Miss program history if his team had won on Saturday.
Ole Miss had to deny allegations of their players faking injuries ahead of the big game against LSU. Despite this off-the-field distraction, they were close to securing a significant win, with a 94% chance of winning in the final minute of the fourth quarter. LSU’s dramatic comeback, fueled by Nussmeier’s clutch plays, sealed the game in their favor. The win reaffirmed LSU’s dominance over Ole Miss at home, highlighting their ability to rise to the occasion in critical moments. Despite the close game and missed opportunities on both sides, LSU managed to extend their impressive win streak over their SEC rival.
Looking ahead, both teams will have to regroup and prepare for their upcoming games in the competitive SEC. LSU will aim to build on this thrilling victory to continue their success in the conference, while Ole Miss will look to bounce back and secure wins in their remaining games. The historic rivalry between these two teams promises more exciting matchups in the future, with both sides striving to come out on top. As the season progresses, fans can expect more intense battles and memorable moments between LSU and Ole Miss as they compete for supremacy in the SEC.
