Nussmeier's late touchdown passes lift No. 13 LSU to a 29-26 overtime victory over No. 9 Ole Miss.

 BATON ROUGE, La. — In a dramatic finish, Garrett Nussmeier threw a game-tying touchdown in the final seconds of regulation, then connected with Kyren Lacy for a 25-yard score on LSU’s first play of overtime, lifting No. 13 LSU to a stunning 29-26 comeback victory over No. 9 Mississippi on Saturday night.

This was the first time LSU (5-1, 2-0 SEC) took the lead in the game, and the win sparked a celebration as fans rushed the field. It also thrust the Tigers back into the College Football Playoff conversation.

Despite struggling throughout much of the game and throwing two interceptions, Nussmeier finished with 337 passing yards and three touchdowns, including two on his final two snaps.

Mississippi (5-2, 1-2 SEC) saw its conference title and CFP hopes take a major hit. Jaxson Dart threw for 284 yards and a touchdown, and Ulysses Bentley IV scored on a 50-yard run during a crucial fourth-down play.

The Rebels were moments from victory late in regulation, but Nussmeier kept LSU’s hopes alive with a fourth-and-6 completion to Mason Taylor. He then capped the drive with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Anderson with just 27 seconds remaining.

In overtime, after holding Mississippi to a field goal, Nussmeier quickly fired a game-winning strike to Lacy near the right pylon.

Last season in Oxford, Ole Miss racked up 706 yards of offense in a 55-49 win over LSU. This time, LSU coach Brian Kelly got the defensive performance he wanted.

LSU sacked Dart six times, intercepted him once, and held the Rebels far below their 44-point scoring average.

Ole Miss threatened to extend a 20-16 lead in the fourth quarter, but LSU’s Zy Alexander picked off a 35-yard pass intended for Cayden Lee in the end zone, setting up LSU’s final push.

The Rebels dominated early but missed opportunities. Tre Harris dropped a deep pass that could have been a touchdown, Caden Davis missed a 32-yard field goal, and Ole Miss failed to convert on fourth-and-1 after Jamarious Brown intercepted Nussmeier’s batted pass.

Despite these setbacks, Mississippi built a 10-0 lead on Davis' 49-yard field goal and Bentley’s long run. LSU responded with Nussmeier’s 12-yard touchdown pass to Tray’Dez Green, but Harris extended Mississippi’s lead to 17-7 with a twisting 15-yard touchdown catch.

LSU closed the gap with two Damian Ramos field goals in quick succession, including one set up by a fumble caused by Whit Weeks. The halftime score was 17-13.

The Takeaway

• Mississippi: For the second time this season, the Rebels faltered as road favorites in the SEC, with a previous 20-17 loss at Kentucky.
• LSU: The Tigers proved they can hold their own defensively against one of the nation's top offenses, helped by having two weeks to prepare after a bye.

Injury Suspicion LSU fans repeatedly booed Ole Miss players who appeared to be injured during the game, amid speculation that the Rebels were feigning injuries to slow down the Tigers' offense. On Friday, Ole Miss issued a statement addressing the issue, stating it would provide medical information to national officiating coordinator Steve Shaw and reminding players to "conduct themselves properly."

Up Next

• Mississippi: Hosts Oklahoma on Oct. 26.
• LSU: Travels to Arkansas on Saturday.