LSU avoided a losing season as the Tigers used six takeaways and a record breaking performance from true freshman receiver Kayshon Boutte to earn a hard fought 53-48 win against Ole Miss.
The Tigers sealed the win when Ali Gaye forced a fumble by Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral late in the fourth quarter. The fumble was recovered by Jacoby Stevens with less than a minute to play sealing the LSU win.
Ole Miss struck first when Matt Corral connected with receiver Braylon Sanders for a 20-yard touchdown pass. The score was set up by a 57-yard reception from Casey Kelly that moved the Rebels into LSU territory.
LSU got on the board later in the quarter when Cade York hit a 34-yard field goal. The Tigers took the lead, 10-7, on Ole Miss’ ensuing drive when Jay Ward returned an interception 31 yards for a touchdown.
The Tigers stretched the lead to 17-7 when Max Johnson capped a nine-play, 86-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. The drive was set up by a Todd Harris interception of Corral.
Ole Miss was able to narrow the LSU lead to just three when Jerrion Ealy returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown.
LSU was able to stretch the lead to 24-14 later in the second when Johnson connected with Kayshon Boutte for a touchdown on a 32-yard catch and run. The score finished a four-play, 40-yard drive that started when Ali Gaye intercepted Corral.
Ole Miss answered with a score of its own on the following drive when Henry Parrish capped a six-play, 61-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run.
LSU stretched the lead back to 10 when Johnson connected with Boutte for an 18-yard score.
The Tigers added one more field goal before the half when York connected on a 34-yarder with two seconds remaining to give LSU a 34-21 lead. The kick was set up by a Jabril Cox interception.
Ward snagged his second interception of the game on Ole Miss’ opening drive of the second half which set up 23-yard York field goal.
With 8:11 to play in the third quarter, Parrish capped a five-play, 65-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown run. The Rebels two-point attempt failed and left LSU with a 37-27 lead.
Ole Miss closed the gap even further when the Dontario Drummond capped an eight-play, 77-yard drive with a 5-yard touchdown reception.
LSU brought the lead back up to 40-34, with 2:16 to play in the third warted when York hit a 50-yard field goal.
Ole Miss took a 41-40 lead to start the fourth quarter when Corral connected with Braylon Sanders for a 25-yard touchdown.
The Tigers appeared poised to retake the lead but Johnson’s pass intended for Boutte was intercepted by Keidron Smith.
Ole Miss then when 80 yards in 11 plays to take a 48-40 lead on Matt Corral’s two-yard run.
LSU pulled within a field goal on its next drive when Max Johnson capped a 10-play, 75-yard drive with a 1-yard run. The Tigers two-point attempt failed.
The Tigers then retook the lead with 1:34 to play when Boutte scored on a 45-yard touchdown pass from Johnson.
The touchdown catch gave Boutte an LSU single game record for receiving yards with 308.
