In a dramatic Week 7 SEC showdown, No. 13 LSU pulled off a stunning 29-26 comeback victory over No. 9 Ole Miss, with quarterback Garrett Nussmeier leading the charge in the final moments of the game. Despite struggling for much of the night, Nussmeier delivered two crucial touchdown passes—one to tie the game in regulation and the other to secure the win in overtime—rejuvenating LSU’s College Football Playoff hopes.
Nussmeier, who had been having what he described as “one of the worst games of his career,” found redemption in his final two snaps. With LSU trailing in the closing seconds, he converted a critical fourth-and-6 to tight end Mason Taylor, keeping LSU’s hopes alive. Moments later, he delivered a 23-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Anderson with just 27 seconds remaining in regulation, knotting the score and sending the game into overtime.
In the extra period, Ole Miss managed only a field goal on its opening possession, leaving the door open for LSU. Nussmeier capitalized immediately, firing a 25-yard touchdown pass to Kyren Lacy on LSU’s first overtime play. The pass found Lacy near the right pylon, igniting a wild celebration at Tiger Stadium as fans rushed the field to celebrate the Tigers’ first lead of the entire game—a lead that would prove decisive.
The win improved LSU to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in Southeastern Conference play, putting them squarely back in the conversation for a College Football Playoff berth. Meanwhile, Ole Miss, now 5-2 overall and 1-2 in SEC play, saw its hopes for a conference title and a CFP bid take a serious hit.
Nussmeier’s performance was a tale of two halves. The LSU quarterback finished with 337 yards passing and three touchdowns, but he also threw two interceptions and struggled to find rhythm for most of the game. Yet, when it mattered most, he displayed the resilience that defines a seasoned competitor.
His turnaround was especially critical given the challenge posed by Ole Miss’s defense, which had kept the LSU offense off balance for much of the night. The Tigers’ comeback win highlighted not only Nussmeier’s resilience but also the resolve of a team that refused to fold when the pressure was at its peak.
Ole Miss appeared poised for victory after a solid showing by quarterback Jaxson Dart, who passed for 284 yards and a touchdown, and Ulysses Bentley IV, who broke free for a 50-yard touchdown run on a fourth-down play. The Rebels controlled much of the game, leading throughout and holding a 26-19 advantage late in the fourth quarter.
Yet, their inability to close out the game in the final minutes proved costly. After LSU’s tying touchdown, Ole Miss had a chance to regain the lead but could not find the end zone. Instead, they settled for a field goal in overtime, leaving the door open for Nussmeier and LSU to seize the moment.
The loss is a bitter pill for Ole Miss, especially after last year’s offensive explosion against LSU in Oxford, where the Rebels racked up 706 yards in a 55-49 win. This time, however, the Tigers’ defense proved to be up to the challenge.
LSU head coach Brian Kelly emphasized defensive improvement after last season’s shootout loss to Ole Miss, and his team delivered on that front. LSU sacked Dart six times, intercepted him once, recovered a fumble, and made a critical fourth-down stop deep in their own territory. The Tigers held Ole Miss to just 26 points, well below the Rebels’ season average of 44 points per game.
Defensive end Bradyn Swinson, who recorded two sacks in the game to bring his season total to seven, played a key role in keeping the Ole Miss offense in check. The Tigers’ defensive performance was a stark contrast to last year’s meeting, providing the foundation for LSU’s comeback win.
For LSU, the thrilling victory over Ole Miss represents a turning point in their season, giving the Tigers renewed momentum as they push for a spot in the College Football Playoff. Nussmeier’s heroics have cemented his status as a clutch performer, and the Tigers’ defense has shown it can rise to the occasion against tough SEC competition.
Ole Miss, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle in the SEC standings after this setback. The Rebels will need to regroup quickly if they hope to keep their conference championship aspirations alive.
In a game that had all the drama and tension of a classic SEC clash, LSU’s late-game heroics and defensive resolve carried the day, leaving fans with a night to remember and plenty to look forward to in the weeks ahead.