The LSU Tigers suffered its first loss of the Lane Kiffin era, and it happened to come against his former team in his return to Oxford, Mississippi. The Tigers came up short in a 32-24 loss on the road to the Ole Miss Rebels in a Top 10 showdown.
LSU erased a 17 point deficit at halftime to tie the game, but Trinidad Chambliss drove the Rebels 75 yards for the go-ahead touchdown and two-point conversion while the Rebels’ defense was able to stop the LSU offense inside the ten yard line.
A morning after their first loss to Ole Miss, here are five of the biggest takeaways from the first loss at LSU under Lane Kiffin.
1. LSU’s Slow Start Was Too Much To Overcome:
Winning masks deficiencies and once again, another slow first half came to cost the LSU Tigers. Although LSU was able to overcome only a 10-7 lead against Louisiana Tech, the Tigers were not able to do so against Ole Miss. LSU’s offense was flustered early going three and out on their first three possessions while the defense simply could not get off the field giving up a 78 yard touchdown drive and then a 92 yard touchdown drive to help give the Rebels a 17-0 lead.
LSU’s offense finally answered with a great touchdown drive that covered 17 plays for 75 yards resulting in a Dilin Jones touchdown run to pull within 10 at 17-7, but again, the defense cold not build off the promising offensive drive as the Tigers gave up a last second touchdown pass from Trinidad Chambliss to Deuce Alexander to make it once again a 17-point deficit. Even though LSU was able to bounce back with a great third quarter, putting yourself in a 17-point hole on the road against a College Football Playoff caliber team is going to work against you almost every time.
2. The LSU Defense Finally Showed It Was Human:
Entering this game, the LSU defense looked like they were the best in the entire country after two dominant performances against Clemson and Louisiana Tech. However, Blake Baker’s defense showed a big clink in the armor as Trinidad Chambliss put on a Heisman worthy performance and made a statement why he is the best quarterback in the country. Chambliss tore apart LSU’s secondary as he completed 33 of 48 passes for 363 yards and two touchdowns. Overall, the Rebels finished with 426 total yards and continued to keep drives alive converting 9 of 15 third down conversions.
Coach Baker and the defense did a better job in the second half shutting out the Rebels’ offense in the third quarter and getting more pressure on Chambliss. Ja’Keem Jackson’s interception ignited the LSU comeback, but when the game was tied and LSU needed one more stop, they were unable to get it giving up not only the go ahead and eventual game winning touchdown, but also a two-point conversion marching 75 yards on 13 plays.
3. LSU Showed Championship-Level Fight And Grit:
Although LSU did not complete the furious comeback, a lot of credit was given from LSU head coach Lane Kiffin on the fight of his team. Trailing 17 at halftime on the road in a game that was filled with plenty of emotion on both sides, a lot of teams would have folded and quit in that situation. However, LSU put themselves in position to come back in the football game with a dominant third quarter.
LSU went on a 17-0 run. Taking advantage of the Ja’Keem Jackson interception, Sam Leavitt started to use his legs to score a touchdown and then found Winston Watkins for a beautiful throw and catch for another touchdown to pull within three. Scott Starzyk converted on a 23 yard field goal to tie the game early in the fourth quarter.
For this roster, there is no such thing as moral victories especially in the SEC. However, LSU showed that they will not panic when adversity comes and there may not be a more adverse situation than what LSU went through in the first half. If LSU can put it all together and start games better like the Clemson blowout, LSU can once again show that they still belong in the College Football Playoff conversation.
4. Sam Leavitt Made His Fair Share Of Plays, But Passing Game Is Still Inconsistent:
One of the catalysts for the comeback was quarterback Sam Leavitt, who played a lot better in the second half and gave LSU a chance to tie the game and send the game to overtime.
Starting in his third game for the Tigers, Leavitt completed 16 of 27 passes for 158 yards, one touchdown and one interception while continuing to improvise when plays broke down with 63 rushing yards and another rushing touchdown.
Trailing by eight on the final drive of the game for the Tigers, LSU drove 69 yards and were knocking on the door, but the inconsistencies seen in the passing game reared its ugly head on the final two plays when it mattered most. On third down and goal, it looked like LSU was going to get a touchdown but Leavitt missed a wide open Zach Grace and then on fourth down, a tipped pass resulted in the game sealing interception for the Ole Miss Rebels. There were times during the game that Leavitt had multiple receivers open and missed them. Whether it was Leavitt processing things too fast, playing with happy feet, or having passes tipped on numerous occasions, the passing game is still a work in progress.
Another problem right now for the passing game is that their most reliable number one receiving option Trey’Dez Green exited the game with a knee injury and it is unclear what his timetable to return is. Until Green comes back, LSU needs a wide receiver to emerge as that clear #1 for Leavitt. Winston Watkins Jr. could be that guy after already having two touchdowns on the season, but other receivers have to start showing separation.
5. LSU’s Loss Was Costly More Ways Than One, But Still Not Out Of The Conversation:
LSU’s margin of error just became a lot smaller falling to 2-1 on the season. A competitive one touchdown loss to a Top 10 SEC team on the road should not drop LSU too much in the rankings and it does not eliminate the Tigers for being in the College Football Playoff conversation. However, being 0-1 in conference play still in the month of September puts a lot more pressure on LSU to execute.
The schedule does not get any easier including a three game stretch in November against Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas, but LSU must focus on its next four games that includes Texas A&M, Kentucky, and Mississippi State. Every one of LSU’s goals is still in front of them, but must address issues like slow starts, defensive breakdowns, and being more consistent in the passing game that plagued them in the loss to Ole Miss.
What makes this loss even costlier is two injuries to two of their most valuable players with one each coming on each side of the ball.
Along with Dilin Jones in the running game, Trey’Dez Green is LSU’s most consistent offensive playmaker and unfortunately, exited the game with a right knee injury. Being without LSU’s 6’7 offensive mismatch is a major storyline to follow and not having him in the red zone for the final drive of the game showed how it significantly altered the offense. Green finished the game with four catches for 60 yards in the game. Needing assistance to get off the field, the injury looked concerning, but hopefully, it is one of those that looked a lot worse than what it really is.
On the other side of the ball, Dashawn Spears had a severe injury himself as he ran into a teammate in the first half and then was seen on crutches. His versatility playing in the STAR position does not go unnoticed and is a big part of what Blake Baker wants to do on defense with his ability to blitz off the edge while dropping back in coverage. It was confirmed later today that Spears is out for the season with a torn ACL, which is a huge blow to LSU’s defense.
LSU head coach Lane Kiffin admitted after the game that he is glad this week is finally over. For the Tigers, they got to immediately move on and get back on track in what is a must win game at home against Texas A&M next Saturday.