Game Recap: A look at the defining moments of Ole Miss’ overtime loss to LSU

OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss lost its second SEC game last night in a 29-26 overtime battle to LSU in Tiger Stadium. Reflecting on the game, here were some key moments from each quarter last night that I feel made the difference in the game.

(Click here for Lane Kiffin’s postgame press conference transcript.)

First Quarter

On the first drive of the game for Ole Miss, quarterback Jaxson Dart took a shot down the field to Tre Harris, but the ball was dropped. With Harris beating the LSU secondary, this likely would’ve been an 81-yard touchdown had he secured the catch.

On the Rebels’ next drive, Caden Davis was given the opportunity to put Ole Miss on the board from 32 yards away, but after a missed field goal, the game remained tied at zero.

Less than one minute later in the game, LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw an interception, giving Ole Miss the ball on the 13-yard line in a prime position to score. The Rebels attempted to run the ball four times in a row, and the LSU defense refused to allow a first down. Ole Miss turned the ball back over to the Tigers, still unable to put any points on the board.

Second Quarter

To start the next quarter, Caden Davis bounced back by nailing a 49-yarder, finally getting Ole Miss on the board with a 3-0 lead.

On the very next possession, LSU was put in a fourth-and-two situation and they decided to go for it. The Tigers handed it off to their running back, but he was met by Suntarine Perkins, who made an incredible tackle for a loss of three yards.

With the ball back in the hands of the offense, Ulysses Bentley IV ran for a 50-yard touchdown, proving his elite speed, strength, and athleticism.

Unfortunately for Lane Kiffin and his squad, LSU responded with a touchdown drive of its own, making it a 10-7 game.

With under six minutes left to play in the second quarter, Jaxson Dart and the offense marched down the field and answered with another touchdown, this time to Tre Harris, who made a ridiculous catch over LSU cornerback Major Burns. 

Tre Harris really did that 😮‍💨@_treharris13 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/AnuolDaxgn

— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) October 13, 2024

Yet again, LSU was able to counter the touchdown, albeit with a field goal. When the ball was given back to the Rebs, Henry Parrish Jr. fumbled, putting the Tigers at the 28-yard line with 26 seconds left to play in the half. The Ole Miss defense remained resilient and held LSU to a field goal. The Rebels led 17-13 going into halftime.

Third Quarter

On LSU’s first drive of the third quarter, kicker Damian Ramos missed a 46-yard field goal, allowing Ole Miss the chance to extend its 17-13 lead.

Kiffin and the team did so with a successful field goal to make it 20-13, up seven. But yet again the Tigers followed up with a field goal of their own on the next drive. Going into the final quarter of the game, the Rebs held on to a 20-16 lead.

Fourth Quarter

On the first four drives of the quarter, both teams threw interceptions that were followed up with punts, keeping the score 20-16 in Ole Miss’ favor with 6:14 left to go in the game.

Ole Miss put together a three-minute drive down the field, setting up for a 37-yard field goal made by Caden Davis. This gave the Rebels a 23-16 lead with 3:14 to go in the contest.

With their backs against the wall and needing a touchdown to tie the game, LSU marched 75 yards downfield and tied it on a 23-yard TD pass from Nussmeier to Aaron Anderson, thus pushing the game into overtime.

Overtime

After back-to-back penalties to start overtime, the Ole Miss offense was unable to generate any forward progress and settled for a field goal that gave them a 23-20 lead as the Tiger offense took the field for their possession in OT.

Nussmeier needed just one play to find Kyren Lacy wide open in the endzone, giving LSU the 29-26 win.

LSU LEFT NO DOUBT.
Garrett Nussmeier to Kyren Lacy for the WALKOFF OVERTIME VICTORY pic.twitter.com/lfN5odD9uP

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) October 13, 2024

For coaches and player press conferences and all of your Ole Miss football coverage, be sure to stay tuned with The Rebel Walk. Hotty Toddy!