LSU’s ‘finest gamers performed their finest’ in upset of Ole Miss

BATON ROUGE, La. — Jayden Daniels ran for 3 touchdowns and handed for 2 scores, and LSU roared again from an early two-touchdown deficit at hand No. 7 Mississippi its first loss this season, 45-20 on Saturday.

The efficiency gave the dynamic Daniels the LSU report for touchdowns dashing in a season by a quarterback with 9. Daniels additionally has accounted for 11 TDs dashing or passing mixed within the span of two video games. He had three of every in a 45-35 victory at Florida final weekend.

Reveling within the resounding overcome a historic and highly-ranked rival, LSU followers stormed the sector as the sport ended. Now LSU (6-2, 4-1 SEC), in coach Brian Kelly’s first season, is again within the race to win the SEC West — if the Tigers can beat No. 6 Alabama.

Based on ESPN Stats & Info analysis, LSU grew to become the primary workforce since not less than 2005 to defeat an AP High-10 workforce by 25-plus factors after trailing at halftime.

“Our guys needed this chance,” Kelly mentioned. “They noticed this as a privilege to play on this stadium, and actually needed this chance. And clearly, the final three quarters, they performed nice soccer.”

After being outgained 200-80 within the first quarter and falling behind 17-3 on Jonathan Cruz’s subject objective to start out the second quarter, LSU outscored Ole Miss (7-1, 3-1) 41-3 the rest of the sport.

The Tigers completed with 500 whole yards to 404 for coach Lane Kiffin’s vaunted Mississippi offense.

Daniels handed for 258 yards and ran for 121 with no turnover. His scoring passes went for 34 yards to Jaray Jenkins and 1 yard to tight finish Mason Taylor. He ran for touchdowns of three, 11 and 17 yards, the longest all however salting the sport away within the fourth quarter.

Josh Williams ran 1 yard for the Tigers’ last TD late within the fourth quarter.

“On the finish of the day, when you’ve gotten a prime workforce coming in, that is why you come to LSU,” Kelly mentioned. “And our greatest gamers performed their finest. And we wanted that.”

Practically the whole lot went proper for LSU within the second half. Even linebacker Harold Perkins Jr.’s unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after a third-down cease on the Rebels’ 15-yard line early within the fourth quarter could not flip the tide within the Rebels’ favor. Down 11 factors on the time, Ole Miss wound up having to punt anyway minutes later.

“Missed tackles,” Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin mentioned, summing up the collapse. “We received pushed round. Had some accidents up there throughout the recreation, clearly does not assist. We did not do quite a bit proper defensively.”

Daniels then drove the Tigers 75 yards for a landing to make it 38-20.

After first-quarter landing runs of three and 6 yards by Judkins, Ole Miss was threatening to go forward 21-3 when LSU’s protection lastly received a cease on third-and-5 from the LSU 13, limiting the Rebels to a subject objective.

The Tigers then scored two touchdowns to tie it. Daniels hit Jaray Jenkins with 34-yard scoring cross and Daniels capped the Tigers’ subsequent possession by maintaining the ball on a read-option run from the three.

Jonathan Cruz’s 48-yard subject objective gave Mississippi a 20-17 lead that stood till halftime.

However LSU’s protection battered Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart within the second half. The Rebels QB completed 19 of 34 for 284 yards. He was intercepted within the LSU finish zone by Joe Foucha within the third quarter on a cross thrown underneath strain from linebacker Micah Baskerville.

Three weeks after a disheartening loss to Tennessee at house, Kelly has the Tigers taking part in their finest soccer. LSU additionally once more confirmed its resolve in successful for the third time this 12 months after trailing by 13 or extra in convention play.

The Tigers will tackle the Crimson Tide on Nov. 5.

The Related Press contributed to this report.