Ole Miss would win the toss and deferred to the second half.
LSU came out firing on all cylinders, right where they left off last week in
Tuscaloosa. Going fast, going tempo, crossing the 50 in just four plays and
scoring in a mere seven plays. The Tigers definitely came to play tonight, and
are showing no signs of a hangover from lasts weeks win against Bama.
The Tigers got off to a fast start and scored on every drive
in the first half except for a missed 48 yard field goal attempt by Cade York.
Quarterback Joe Burrow would set two LSU school passing records in the first
half of play tonight as well. The first and most impressive on the night, was
the single season passing record. At roughly nine and a half games into the
season, he threw for more than 3,354 yards, breaking former Tigers quarterback
Rohan Davey’s record of 3,347. Burrow continued his night of dominance by
completing 16 straight passes going in at halftime. The previous record was
held by JaMarcus Russell, Matt Mauck, and Chad Loupe at 14.
The Tigers were looking like the infamous 2011 team that
took a knee against Ole Miss with more than five minutes left to go in the fourth
quarter. It was looking like a blow out, until the Rebels were able to put
together a scoring drive late in the second quarter. The Rebels would manage just
seven points in the first half to the Tigers 31.
After halftime, the Rebels looked like a completely
different team. Taking over at their own 25, Ole Miss, would need just two
plays and 31 seconds to find the end zone. Freshman quarterback John Rhys
Plumlee took off down the sideline on a quarterback read for 46 yards and the
score to open up the second half. The Rebels would then try a two point
conversion to receiver Elijah Moore to bring them back within three scores.
31-15
The Tigers then went on one of their longest drives of the
season, 17 plays for 66 yards. They would end up settling for a field goal. Bringing
the score to 34-15. It looked like the Rebels had figured out the Tigers
defense, as on their very next drive, Plumlee again had a huge run of 60 yards
and a score, to cut into the Tigers lead again.
The Tigers defense would answer the call stopping the Rebels
on two straight drives, and on a fourth and short that would get them the ball
back at their own 20 yard line. This however, would be short lived. Quarterback
Joe Burrow would throw his first interception in the fourth quarter this
season, the Rebels would take over at the Tigers 35. A fake reverse would get
safety Grant Delpit moving out of position and open up a rushing lane for
quarterback Plumlee, the quarterback had no problem finding the end zone on the
play.
On their next drive, the Tigers looked to have regrouped and
were driving, but an errant throw by quarterback Joe Burrow led to another
turnover. LSU held strong and kept the Rebels out of the end zone. That drive
for the Rebels took over five and a half minutes, and netted them no points.
The Tigers would get the ball back and let the Rebels know why
they were ranked the No. 1 team in the Nation. Scoring on a three play, 65 yard
drive. The Rebels however would not lay down in this rivalry and returned the
favor. Six plays and 75 yards later, Ole Miss was in the end zone. The Tigers
lead was cut to 14. Ole Miss would try an onside kick, but that would be
recovered by Tigers receiver Justin Jefferson at the Rebels 49.
Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire had his biggest play of
the night, rushing for 49 yards and a touchdown to put the Tigers up by 21 and
solidify the final score. The Tigers offense also set or tied four school records
tonight as well. Joe Burrow set the single season passing record, in the first
half tonight. He also set the most passes caught in a row with 17. He tied a
single game touchdown record with five. The Tigers also racked up over yards of
total offense, the first time since the 1977 season when the Tigers put up 746
yards against the Rice Owls.