By Hunt Palmer
After 30 minutes, LSU remains very much in a game Ole Miss has seemingly dominated.
A late turnover and two field goals in the last 34 seconds of the half will do that.
Ole Miss leads 17-13 and gets the football after halftime.
The Tiger defense stood tall in the red zone early. Ole Miss squandered its first two red area chances with a missed 34-yard field goal and a failed fourth down try. Rebel star receiver Tre Harris also dropped a potential touchdown on the Rebels’ second snap of the game.
Those are generally good ways to get beat on the road in the SEC. LSU’s offense was unable to capitalize in those situations.
In the first quarter, Ole Miss outgained LSU 139-42 and held the ball for 10:03, but the score remained 0-0.
The Rebel defense was fierce up front and sticky in coverage. LSU has only run the ball for 31 yards on 12 tries. That has put a tremendous amount on Nussmeier’s shoulders in the passing game. Late in the half, he answered.
The Tiger quarterback is 11-for-26 for 172 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Of those 172 yards, 138 of them came in the second quarter. What looked like his second touchdown of the game was overturned by replay.
Ole Miss has outgained the Tigers 275 to 205
LSU has been a great second half team the entire season. That will have to continue Saturday if the Tigers are to pull the upset.
Health Report:
Zy Alexander started at cornerback. He missed the South Alabama game after suffering a concussion versus UCLA.
Caden Durham entered the game on LSU’s second possession. He dislocated two toes in the South Alabama game.
For Ole Miss, Princeley Umanmielen did start the game at defensive end. He was questionable entering the game.
Harris started the game despite a lower leg injury he suffered last week at South Carolina.
Zavion Thomas left the game after making a third and 13 catch and conversion. He was favoring his lower leg. Shelton Sampson and Trey’dez Green saw action in his absence. Thomas did return to the game.
Kyren Lacy left the game with 1:36 to play in the half. He went up to try to grab a deep ball and came down awkwardly on his left knee. He left the field under his own power and did not go straight to the injury tent. He reentered the game two plays later.
