Jeff: The good, bad, and ugly from LSU’s frustrating 25 to 23 loss to Ole Miss

Jeff: The good, bad, and ugly from LSU’s frustrating 25 to 23 loss to Ole Miss  

THE GOOD

LSU’s Red Zone Defense

The box score shows Ole Miss was 4-for-4 in the red zone, but three times the Rebels had to settle for a field goal. LSU’s ability to keep Ole Miss out of the end zone kept them in the ball game. 

Special Teams

Al Woods block of an Ole Miss’ field goal led to a 53 yard return by Patrick Peterson. It was a huge play, as LSU needed a spark, after a deflating interception by Jordan Jefferson. You also have to credit the defense for forcing the field goal after the Rebels had excellent field position at the LSU 34-yard line.

Ron Brooks also had a 41-yard kickoff return that set up LSU’s first offensive touchdown of the game. And the Tigers executed the on-side kick perfectly to give them one more shot to win it. You also felt good about Josh Jasper’s chances of kicking the game winning field goal, especially after he connected from 50-yards in the 2nd quarter. 

Rueben Randle

We’ve been waiting all season long for true freshman Rueben Randle to have an impact game. He’s made some nice catches this year, but he finally got into the end zone for the first time when he caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Jefferson late in the 1st quarter. Randle’s second TD catch late in the fourth quarter gave the Tigers hope they could actually pull this game out. 

THE BAD 

Offensive Line Still Struggling

The offensive line had one of its worst games of the season. They allowed the Rebels to put constant pressure on Jefferson, especially in the fourth quarter. They allowed four more sacks and have given up 31 for the year, which is the second worst total in the SEC. Offensive tackle Ciron Black was beaten badly on the play that resulted in the Jefferson sack on the final drive. LSU also only had 40 yards rushing. 

Play Calling on the 2-pt conversion

LSU is two points away from tying the game after Randle’s second touchdown. The Tigers try a fade pass to Terrance Toliver, but interference is called on the Ole Miss defender giving LSU the ball inside the 2-yard line. This gives LSU the chance to call several different plays, instead they try another fade route to Toliver and it’s badly thrown by Jefferson. I think they went with that play again, because they didn’t have enough faith in the offensive line to protect Jefferson or hand the ball off to Ridley to see if he can get in the end zone. 

Defense

For the second straight game the defense allowed over 400 total yards to an SEC offense. They had a hard time containing Dexter McCluster, who finished with 148 rushing yards. LSU’s defense was burned badly on McCluster’s half-back pass to Shay Hodge that resulted in a 27-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. Ole Miss was also 6 of 14 on third down opportunities. 
 

UGLY 

Keiland Williams injury

You have to feel bad for Keiland Williams. It appears his LSU career is over. Coach Les Miles announced after the game that the senior broke his ankle. If it’s a significant break, it could hurt Williams ability to impress scouts for the NFL draft. The injury also leaves the Tigers with only two healthy running backs, Stevan Ridley and Trindon Holliday.  

The final drive

I don’t think I have to rehash what happened after the Tigers recovered an onside kick and put themselves in field goal position after a screen pass to Brandon LaFell. The coaches completely screwed up the final minute of the game. Why they didn’t the run the ball when they got the ball to the Ole Miss 32-yard line, I will never know. They did that against Georgia and it resulted in a 33-yard touchdown run by Charles Scott. (Actually it was an audible by Jefferson that resulted in the Scott touchdown.) 

And then they allow 17-seconds to come off the clock after Stevan Ridley losses seven yards on a pass play. And then they don’t have the field goal team ready when they complete the long pass play to Toliver. It’s completely unacceptable!

I don’t believe Miles and his coaching staff will ever live this game down. Even the biggest Miles’ supporters are scratching their heads. 

The final drive typified the season. There was potential for good things to happen, but the coaches screwed