Tigers stun Ole Miss in OT thriller

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana— Garrett Nussmeier was having what he considered one of the worst games of his career as the LSU quarterback. However, his fortunes changed with his last two snaps. In a dramatic turn of events, Nussmeier threw a game-tying touchdown pass to Aaron Anderson in the closing moments of regulation.

He then connected with Kyren Lacy for a 25-yard touchdown on LSU's first play in overtime, securing a remarkable 29-26 comeback win over Mississippi. Nussmeier acknowledged the need for growth from this experience, aiming to elevate his performance to the next level despite his initial struggles.

The victory, where LSU (5-1, 2-0 SEC) took the lead for the first time in the game, prompted jubilant fans to rush the field in celebration. This win positioned the Tigers back in the conversation for the College Football Playoff.

Nussmeier emphasized the significance of the win, stating that it showcased LSU's strength and potential in the competitive league. Despite facing challenges throughout the game, Nussmeier rallied late to amass 337 yards and three passing touchdowns, with two of them coming in the critical final snaps.

Jaxson Dart threw for 284 yards and a touchdown, while Ulysses Bently IV scored a 50-yard touchdown on a crucial fourth-down play for Mississippi (5-2, 1-2), dealing a significant blow to their chances of winning the conference title or securing a spot in the College Football Playoff.

After the game, Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin expressed his empathy for the team, stating, "This is a tough situation, guys. I understand how you feel."

Kiffin further remarked, "There aren't many positives to take from this. It's easier to accept defeat by a larger margin. We had control of this game and let it slip away. Heading into the break at 6-1, or whatever the record would have been, would have put us in a great position to regroup and recover. This loss will be difficult to overcome and will linger for a long time."

Ole Miss was on the verge of victory in the final minutes of regulation, but Nussmeier's successful fourth-and-6 pass to Mason Taylor sustained a crucial drive that ended with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Anderson with only 27 seconds remaining.

Following LSU's successful defensive stand that limited Mississippi to a field goal in the first overtime possession, Nussmeier quickly executed a crucial play to Lacy near the right pylon.

During the previous season in Oxford, the Ole Miss offense amassed 706 yards in a 55-49 win against the Tigers. This year, LSU coach Brian Kelly aimed for a more solid performance from his defense, and he achieved it.

LSU recorded six sacks on Dart, intercepted him once, recovered a fumble, and made a fourth-down stop at their own 5-yard line, effectively containing the Rebels well below their average of 44 points per game. Bradyn Swinson contributed two sacks, bringing his season total to seven.

LSU linebacker Whit Weeks, who led the game with 18 tackles, two for losses, including a sack, commented, "We didn't discuss last year, but it was in the back of our minds as a defense. We understood the need to step up our game."

As Ole Miss threatened to extend their 20-16 lead in the fourth quarter, LSU's Zy Alexander intercepted Dart's 35-yard pass in the end zone, preventing the Tigers from falling further behind.

Although Ole Miss dominated the first quarter, they failed to capitalize on several scoring opportunities.

In an open field, Tre Harris failed to catch a deep pass down the middle. Davis also missed a 32-yard field goal, and despite defensive tackle Jamarious Brown intercepting Nussmeier's batted pass, Ole Miss couldn't capitalize as they failed to convert on fourth down.

Despite these missed opportunities, the Rebels managed to take a 10-0 lead with Davis' 49-yard field goal and Bentley's impressive tackle-slipping run.

However, the Tigers quickly responded with Nussmeier's 12-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tray'Dez Green.

Even though Harris scored a 15-yard touchdown with a spectacular catch in tight coverage, LSU's Damian Ramos kicked two field goals within 29 seconds — the second one coming after Whit Weeks caused a fumble by Ole Miss' Henry Parrish Jr. — bringing the score to 17-13 by halftime.