Instant Reaction: Ole Miss beats LSU, 31-17, in front of 6th-largest crowd in Vaught-Hemingway
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss defeated LSU, 31-17, Saturday in front of 64,523 — the sixth-largest crowd to ever watch a game in Vaught-Hemingway.
Here is our instant reaction on the win that improves the Rebels to 6-1 on the season!
Positive Ole Miss Defense
Once again, this week the Rebel defense stepped up. The unit held LSU to 17 points. Ole Miss notched five sacks and seven tackles for loss.
The Rebels only gave up 77 yards rushing to LSU, and 326 total. A chunk of that 249 through the air came after LSU was so far behind they could no longer rely on the ground game.
Negative: Penalties
What seems to have been a problem all season, continued against LSU. The Rebels had 12 total penalties for 106 yards. Clean those up and this game could have easily been far more out of hand.
Co-Offensive MVPs: Jerrion Ealy and Snoop Conner
Ealy and Conner combined for 214 yards on 26 carries. Conner averaged 8.4 per carry (14 carries, 117 yards), which is what we have come to expect. Ealy notched 97 yards on 12 carries, for 8.1 yards per carry.
It was good to have Ealy, who also scored a touchdown, show an increase in production after missing the Arkansas game due to concussion protocol and not getting much playing time last week.
Defensive Co-MVPs: AJ Finley and Chance Campbell
Defensive back AJ Finley and linebacker Chance Campbell played great games against the Tigers. Finley finished the game with seven total tackles, four of which were solo tackles. He recorded a crucial pass break up in the end zone in the second quarter that was followed by a missed FG from LSU kicker Cade York two plays later. The following drive Ole Miss would take the lead 10-7.
Chance Campbell continues to garner attention on the defense. In addition to his own excellent play, he is making calls out there for the defense and bringing intensity that is contagious. He notched 10 total tackles, three of which were solo. He also tallied one sack, one tackle for loss, and forced a fumble.
Play of the Game: 2-yard TD pass from Corral to Casey Kelley
The touchdown in the second quarter gave the Rebels the 10-7 lead, and they never looked back, ultimately winning, 31-17.
(Feature image: Josh McCoy, Ole Miss)
Nick Filipich
Nick Filipich was born and raised in Biloxi, MS. He is an Ole Miss alum with a degree in Sports and Recreation Administration. A sports junkie with a great passion for all things Ole Miss, Nick played baseball and football in high school — which is where he discovered his love for sports. He is an avid Braves and Saints fan, and in his free time enjoys spending time with family, friends and his black lab, Dixie.
