The LSU Tigers ended their season on a high note.
LSU held off the Ole Miss Rebels to finish their season 5-5 overall. The Tigers won the turnover margin, received a great performance from Kayshon Boutte and defeated the Rebels 53-48.
How It Happened:
It didn’t take long for Ole Miss to get on the scoreboard.
The Rebels held LSU to a three-and-out on their first drive. They proceeded to take a 7-0 lead with 11:18 left in the first quarter after a Matt Corral 20-yard touchdown pass to Braylon Sanders.
The Tigers next drive stalled just past midfield and punted it back to Ole Miss, but the Rebels could not dig themselves out of field position.
LSU got the ball back on Ole Miss’ 31-yard line but could not fully capitalize. The Tigers settled for a 34-yard field goal by Cade York. LSU trailed 7-3 with 5:35 left in the first.
It was the Tigers defense to score the first touchdown for LSU. A Jay Ward 31-yard interception return for a touchdown gave LSU a 10-7 lead.
Ole Miss was intercepted for the second time in the opening quarter. This time it was Todd Harris coming away with the pick.
Tigers running back Josh Williams broke off a 30-yard run to the Rebels four-yard line, which set up a Max Johnson quarterback sneak for a touchdown. LSU led 17-7 with 12:17 remaining in the first half.
Ole Miss responded right away with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Jerrion Ealy. LSU still led 17-14 with 12:03 left in the half.
The third interception for the Tigers came courtesy of Ali Gaye. It was the second interception for Corral.
The Tigers started their drive on the Rebels 40-yard line and ended with a 32-yard receiving touchdown by Kayshon Boutte on fourth down. LSU led 24-14 with 4:50 remaining in the half.
Ole Miss responded once again. The Rebels used six plays for 61 yards on a touchdown drive that only took 1:33 off the clock. They then trailed LSU 24-21.
Johnson connected with Boutte again for an 18-yard touchdown pass before halftime. LSU went 75 yards in 2:09 and took a 31-21 lead.
LSU’s Jabril Cox intercepted Corral before halftime. The Tigers began their next drive on the Rebels 19-yard line. York kicked a 34-yard field goal to give the Tigers a 34-21 lead entering the second half.
Corral opened the second half with another interception. It was the Tigers fifth interception of the day.
York gave LSU a 37-21 lead after a 23-yard field goal with 9:50 left in the third quarter.
The Rebels trailed by 10 points after a 10-yard rushing touchdown by Henry Parrish. Ole Miss failed to cut the deficit to just eight points after a failed 2-point conversion. LSU led 37-27 with 8:11 left in the third.
The Rebels forced LSU to punt on the next drive and put together another scoring drive. Ole Miss went on a 77-yard scoring drive that ended in a 5-yard touchdown pass by Corral and they brought the lead down to three.
A 50-yard field goal by York increased LSU’s lead to 40-34 with 4:03 in the third.
Ole Miss regained a one-point lead behind a 25-yard touchdown reception. The Rebels led 41-40 with 14:53 remaining in the game.
LSU drove the ball down the field, but Johnson threw his first interception of the day in the end zone trying to go to Boutte. Ole Miss took over on the 20-yard line with 12:35 left.
Ole Miss took advantage of the turnover and scored a touchdown on fourth down by the goal line. The Rebels led 48-40 with 8:43 remaining.
LSU took the ball down the Ole Miss’ one-yard line on their proceeding drive. Johnson punched it in for a touchdown, but failed the two-point conversion. The Tigers trailed 48-46 with 5:31 left.
The Tigers forced Ole Miss to punt and took over possession on LSU’s 44-yard line with 2:36 remaining. Boutte gave LSU a 5-point lead after a 45-yard touchdown reception from Johnson. The Tigers led 53-48 with 1:34 left.
The Tigers sacked Corral and recovered the fumble. LSU lined up in victory formation to end the game.
Big Number: .500
The season was slipping away from the defending national champions. They were 3-5 entering their final two games. They upset Florida and held off Ole Miss to finish the season with a .500 record.
Player of the Game: Kayshon Boutte
The freshman wide receiver caught 14 passes for 308 yards and three touchdowns. Boutte was Johnson’s go-to receiver all night and it led to an LSU season finale win.