The Ole Miss Rebels came from behind and delivered a 55 to49 nail biting loss to the LSU Tigers. Defense was optional in the 1st half as 59 points were scored just in the first two quarters alone.
The Tigers were able to clamp down defensively in the 3rd quarter, but it was all for naught as the Rebels scored 21 of the final 28 points in the 4th quarter.
The LSU Tigers defense looked exactly like they did against the Arkansas Razorbacks, even creating a similar game script as they were able to get a 4th quarter lead. This time, Ole Miss made a key stop on LSU’s second to last drive and capitalized on their only two possessions.
Jayden Daniels may have the best receiving duo in the country as Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr combined for 246 yards receiving. We also saw an LSU running game emerge with Logan Diggs out of the backfield. The Notre Dame transfer eclipsed the 100 yard marker, finishing with 101 and two touchdowns rushing.
We’ll take close up look at the performance of both teams, and what caused the Tigers their first SEC conference loss of the season in this week’s good, bad and the ugly.
GOOD:
Brian Thomas Jr and Jayden Daniels. Normally we highlight one of the trio - Thomas, Daniels and Nabers - on the good list, so I decided to highlight the best two options from the offense.
LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels finished the game with over 400 yards passing, and at one point in the game completed 21 of 22 passes. He finished with 414 yards and 4 touchdowns. Wow!
It wasn’t just Daniels’ passing that kept the Tigers in the game; his legs were a big factor in the 49 points scored. Daniels rushed for 99 yards and had a QB sneak for a touchdown. With a win, I think Daniels’ Heisman hopes would still be alive, but with a loss, those hopes are basically crushed.
Last week, I said the win against Arkansas was the “Brian Thomas Jr game.” Well, he carried the offense against the Rebels with three touchdowns on the night. While NFL scouts were drooling over Malik Nabers skillset before the season started, Thomas has now cemented himself as a key concern for college defensive backs.
BAD:
Penalties. The Tigers shot themselves in the foot with false start and illegal substitution penalties. While those infractions didn’t really make a difference outside the two on the final drive, it was the lack of discipline in Brian Kelly’s team that was a surprise…again.
When every possession counts in games that go back and forth like tonight’s shootout with Ole Miss, a penalty that keeps the drive alive or kills it - is a huge factor. It shifts momentum and can determine winning or losing.
3rd Down Defense:
The Rebels played their best “bend but not break” offense, as they finished the night converting 9 of 16 third downs. Keeping QB Jaxson Dart on the field any longer was a bad proposition for the Tigers defense.
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin likes to keep his offense on the field for 4th down, so converting 56% of their third downs was a big factor in the Rebels’ success.
Ole Miss also finished 2 for 3 on 4th down. One was on the first drive of the game, where the Rebels found a wide open receiver for the touchdown.
Getting opponents off the field will definitely be a focus for LSU defensive coordinator Matt House this week.
UGlY:
LSU’s Secondary:
Just like last week, the LSU defense played poorly. There’s no question the weakness of this team is the defensive backs and the ability to defend the middle of the field. Ole Miss finished the game with 700+ yards of total offense.
LSU will probably not be calling itself DBU for the time being, after the performance we witnessed against Ole Miss. With multiple new faces and transfers, the Tigers are having a tough time finding the right players to execute Matt House’s scheme.
Two weeks in a row now, SEC QBs have picked apart LSU’s DB’s - combining for 678 yards passing and seven touchdowns. That’s not winning football, and that’s not going to be acceptable for Coach Kelly. They’ll need to fix it right away, because Missouri and the remaining opponents will continue to attack that weakness.
Up next for LSU is an early 11am kickoff in Columbia, Missouri to take on and undefeated Tigers team. They’re no slouch. One thing we can expect in future games are points and plenty of them - from both teams.