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.
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