The Ole Miss football team defeated the #13 LSU Tigers at home this week, recording their first-ranked win of the season. The Rebels went up four spots in the newest AP Poll rankings and are now ranked #16 heading into their week six matchup.
Last year, then-ranked #13 Rebels were undefeated heading into Baton Rouge but would suffer a 45-20 defeat. This time around, LSU would come into Oxford likewise; ranked #13.
Ole Miss would get the ball first after LSU would win the toss and defer to the second half. That would prove to be a mistake on the road in the SEC, as the Rebels drove down the field and scored first with a 4-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jaxson Dart to Running Back Quinshon Judkins. After LSU would go 3-and-out on their opening possession, Ole Miss would add on with a 43-yard touchdown run from running back Ulysses Bentley IV to make the game 14-0. The Tigers would respond on the ensuing possession with a 20-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jayden Daniels before the Rebels would quickly nullify it a minute later with a 63-yard touchdown pass from Dart to wide receiver Jordan Watkins to finish the first quarter with the Rebels in front, 21-7.
To start the second quarter, LSU would score first with a one-yard touchdown run to cut the score down to 21-14. The Rebels answered on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Dart to receiver Dayton Wade, extending the lead to 28-14. The Tigers would cut down the deficit to 28-14, with a 11-yard touchdown pass from Daniels. The Rebels would respond back with a 28-yard field goal from kicker Caden Davis to make the lead 31-21. 50 seconds later, the Tigers would cut the deficit to 31-28 with a 29-yard touchdown pass from Daniels heading into halftime.
LSU opened up the second half with a 1-yard touchdown run from Daniels, giving the Tigers the lead for the first time 35-31. The Rebels cut the Tigers lead down to 1 with a 48-yard field goal. The Tigers ended the third quarter on a 12-yard touchdown run to extend their lead to 42-34.
Ole Miss opened up the 4th quarter on an 11-yard touchdown run from Running Back Quinshon Judkins but would miss the two-point conversion that would tie the game. The Tigers answered once again with a 34-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to 49-40, and more importantly, a two-possession game with 8:34 left in the game. This would prove to be a back-and-forth game, as Ole Miss scored with 5 minutes left in the game on a 1-yard touchdown run from Dart to cut the lead to 49-47. After the Rebel defense forced LSU to punt, Ole Miss scored on a 13-yard touchdown pass and then converted on a 2-point conversion to reclaim the lead 55-49. On the final drive of the game, LSU went all the way down the field to the Ole Miss 26-yard line, before ultimately failing to score a touchdown on the final play of the game.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart was no doubt the MVP of this game. The Junior quarterback accounted for 539 passing yards and 5 total touchdowns (4 passing, 1 rushing).
For week six, the #16 Ole Miss Rebels (4-1) will host the Arkansas Razorbacks (2-3) at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. The Rebels opened up as 11-point favorites at home next week.
The biggest question for the Rebels is if their defense can improve and step up next game. The defense allowed an average of 31 points in the past three games. On the other side, Arkansas is seeking their first conference win. The Razorbacks are 0-2 in SEC play with losses to Texas A&M and LSU.
Week Six Prediction: Ole Miss 41, Arkansas Razorbacks 30.
