No. 13 LSU used some late-night Tiger Stadium magic to edge No. 9 Ole Miss 29-26 in overtime on Saturday. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier hit receiver Kyren Lacy for a 25-yard touchdown on the Tigers’ first offensive play of the extra period to close out the Rebels, who never trailed during regulation.
Hampered by a nonexistent rushing attack, LSU turned to Nussmeier and asked him to play the role of hero. Though he completed just 22 of 51 passes, the gunslinging redshirt junior led a memorable game-tying drive in the final 3:14.
On that series, he converted a fourth-and-6 with a 14-yard pass to Mason Taylor, a third-and-10 with a 19-yard pass to Taylor, and a fourth-and-5 with a 23-yard touchdown strike Aaron Anderson. Nussmeier’s scoring connection with Anderson came with just 27 seconds remaining and left third-year coach Brian Kelly with a difficult decision to make.
Instead of trying a 2-point conversion for the victory, Kelly went with a PAT, which tied the game at 23. The decision could have been interpreted as a sign of faith in a previously shaky defense. It turned out to be the right choice.
Though still imperfect, the Tigers looked better on that side of the ball coming off a bye. Ole Miss did not reach the end zone after halftime and netted -15 yards during its overtime possession. The Rebels were forced to settle for a career-long 57-yard field goal from Caden Davis on the opening series of overtime.
Rebels coach Lane Kiffin was seen exhaling on the sideline as the bomb of a kick cleared the crossbar. However, his relief turned to dismay just moments later as Nussmeier hit Lacy for the game-winning score, which prompted a field-storming in Death Valley and put the Rebels’ CFP hopes on life support.
LSU back in CFP mix
The win…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/lsu-edges-ole-miss-with-walk-off-touchdown-in-overtime-as-tigers-resurrect-college-football-playoff-hopes/
Author : David Cobb
Publish date : 2024-10-13 04:49:14
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