It was an inglorious end to a strange week for the LSU Tigers.
LSU surrendered 31 unanswered points over the second and third quarter and lost to the Mississippi Rebels 31-17 in Oxford.
After rushing for 468 yards in their previous two games, the Tigers were held to 77 yards on 35 carries by the Rebels. Ole Miss came into the day allowing nearly 200 yards per game.
Ty Davis-Price led the Tigers with 53 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries, but failed to manage a run longer than eight yards.
Max Johnson threw for 146 yards and an interception before being relieved by Garrett Nussmeier in the fourth quarter. Nussmeier finished 7-12 passing for 103 yards, including a nine yard scoring connection with Malik Nabers. It was the freshman quarterback’s first career touchdown pass.
LSU’s 326 yards of total offense represented its second-lowest output of the season, and the Tigers’ 17 points was their lowest total since Dec. 5, 2020.
After forcing an Ole Miss punt that went out of bounds at the LSU 10 yard line, Johnson led the Tigers on a nine-play, 90-yard drive that was finished off by a one yard plunge by TDP.
LSU got deep into the red zone on their next drive, but Johnson was intercepted by Tysheem Johnson at the one yard line.
From there, it was all Rebels.
Defensively, Ole Miss was able to get to Johnson time and time again, even with just a three man front.
On LSU’s next six drives, they produced a missed field goal, three punts, and two fumbles.
Yes, even Cade York was off the mark on this day, as he pushed a 55-yarder to the left that could have given LSU a 10-3 lead.
Meanwhile on offense, the Rebels would score on five of their next six possessions to put the game out of reach.
Heisman candidate Matt Corral wasn’t spectacular, but he kept the chains moving all game long with both his arms and his legs. He finished with 185 yards passing with one passing and one rushing touchdown.
After piling up more than 300 yards on the ground in its win over LSU last season, Ole Miss rushed for 266 yards and three scores Saturday afternoon.
Leading the way were Snoop Conner (117 yards) and Jerrion Ealy (97 yards, TD).
If this was Lane Kiffin’s unofficial interview for the LSU coaching job, it was an impressive one.
For his counterpart on the opposite sideline, Coach O, it was another frustrating day at the office.
LSU (4-4, 2-3 SEC) will take the week off before returning to action against the Alabama Crimson Tide on Nov. 6 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Ole Miss (6-1, 3-1) will hit the road to face 19th-ranked Auburn as the Rebels try to keep pace in the race for the SEC West title.