One of the most anticipated games of the college football season lived up to the hype.
Unfortunately for LSU, the Tigers dug themselves too big of a hole.
LSU fell behind 17-0 and trailed Ole Miss 24-7 at halftime before mounting an impressive second-half comeback. The Tigers eventually tied the game in the fourth quarter, but the Rebels answered with a decisive touchdown drive and held on for a 32-24 victory Saturday night in a wild atmosphere in Oxford, Mississippi.
LSU drops to 2-1 on the season, while Ole Miss improves to 3-0.
Ole Miss delivers the winning drive
After Scott Starzyk's 23-yard field goal tied the game at 24 in the fourth quarter with 11:21 left, Ole Miss responded with its best drive of the night.
The Rebels marched 75 yards on 13 plays, with quarterback Trinidad Chambliss finishing the drive with a 14-yard touchdown run.
Ole Miss then went for two, and former LSU Tiger and Alexandria Senior High standout JT Lindsey ran it in to give the Rebels a 32-24 lead.
LSU had one final opportunity, but the Tigers could not complete the comeback.
Chambliss makes his case
Chambliss showed why he's considered one of the nation's top quarterbacks.
The Ole Miss quarterback completed 33 of 48 passes for 363 yards and two touchdowns. His lone interception came in the second half, when LSU cornerback Ja'Keem Jackson picked him off to help spark the Tigers' comeback.
Chambliss was especially effective on third down in the first half. He was 8-for-8 on third-down passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns as Ole Miss built a 17-point lead.
The Rebels finished the first half with 289 yards of offense.
LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt had a much tougher night.
The Tigers' offensive line struggled to protect him for much of the game, and there were also several throws Leavitt would like to have back.
But Leavitt never stopped fighting.
He helped LSU erase a 17-point deficit and made several big plays during the comeback. Leavitt finished 16-of-27 passing for 158 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown.
LSU suffers significant injuries
LSU also left Oxford with several major injury concerns.
Ole Miss lost starting running back Kewan Lacy to a shoulder injury in the second half. Lacy finished with nine carries for 43 yards and a touchdown.
LSU lost defensive back Dashawn Spears to a lower-leg injury in the first quarter.
But the most concerning injury came late in the game when tight end Trey'Dez Green took a hard hit and appeared to suffer a significant right-leg injury.
Green led LSU with four catches for 60 yards.
His potential absence could be a major blow to an LSU offense that relied heavily on the 6-foot-7 tight end.
LSU coach Lane Kiffin said after the game that neither Green nor Spears appeared close to returning.
If Green is sidelined for an extended period, LSU will have to find another consistent target in the passing game.
Winnie Watkins caught three passes for 54 yards, including a 26-yard touchdown reception, but there was no clear replacement for Green's production Saturday night.
What does the loss mean for LSU?
This was a frustrating loss for LSU, but the Tigers showed plenty of fight after putting themselves in a difficult position.
LSU was overwhelmed in the first half, struggled to contain Chambliss and lost its composure at times.
But the Tigers responded with a much better second half and had a chance to tie the game in the final minute.
LSU will now have to regroup quickly, particularly with the status of Green and Spears uncertain.
Up next
LSU returns home next Saturday to face Texas A&M.
The ninth-ranked Aggies are licking their wounds after suffering a surprising 31-21 home loss to Kentucky.
Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed threw two interceptions in the loss.
Kickoff is at 6:30 on Saturday.
