LSU's Garrett Nussmeier triumphs over challenges to secure victory in overtime.

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Garrett Nussmeier's college experience has underscored the importance of patience, whether he is preparing to direct LSU's offense or enduring a challenging performance during Saturday night's game. He understands that as long as there is time on the clock, he has the chance to alter his circumstances and those of his team. LSU's defense provided Nussmeier with a final opportunity to score against No. 9 Ole Miss, followed by an additional chance in overtime to achieve an unexpected victory. The quarterback seized both opportunities, leading LSU to its first and only lead when he connected with Kyren Lacy in the end zone, culminating in a 29-26 triumph that ignited a celebration at Tiger Stadium. Nussmeier, who stepped in for Heisman Trophy winner and No. 2 NFL draft pick Jayden Daniels, completed 22 of 51 passes—marking the third-highest number of attempts in the team's history—and was intercepted twice. Nevertheless, his late-game performance was crucial in maintaining the 13th-ranked Tigers' undefeated status in SEC play and keeping their College Football Playoff aspirations alive. LSU has now secured its eighth consecutive home victory against Ole Miss. "I probably had one of the worst games of my career tonight," Nussmeier remarked, noting that he attempted 16 passes of 20 yards or more, completing only two of his first 14 before finishing strong. "The best part is that I can learn from this experience, and we achieved the win. I look forward to reviewing the film to address those issues and rectify my mistakes. I hope this will be a significant moment for my development." Coach Brian Kelly is not merely optimistic about Nussmeier's growth following Saturday night's victory; he recognizes that the redshirt junior made considerable progress during a game that, for over three quarters, was fraught with challenges. "He developed more today than at any other time during his tenure here," Kelly stated. "That was a pivotal game for his growth, and while perspectives may vary, as a coach, I see the development he demonstrated throughout the game and especially at the end, which will benefit him greatly." LSU struggled initially, failing to score on its first five drives and only managing to enter Ole Miss territory once. Then,

Kelly remarked on the situation, stating, "It would have been easy for those of us watching the game to feel frustrated, but Garrett maintained his composure, and the conclusion of the game illustrated why I considered it a significant growth opportunity." He continued, "Garrett executed the necessary plays at critical moments. As Lacy returned from the south end zone after scoring the game-winning touchdown, he and Nussmeier shared an embrace near the 15-yard line. Nussmeier targeted Lacy a game-high 16 times, successfully connecting on five occasions for a total of 111 yards. Additionally, he found Aaron Anderson on a crucial fourth-and-5 for a 23-yard touchdown with just 27 seconds remaining in regulation, culminating another impressive 75-yard scoring drive. Lacy praised Nussmeier, stating, 'He played exceptionally well. He shows up every day, never cuts corners in the weight room, and holds me accountable when I consider skipping a rep. We support each other unconditionally. ... I cherish my brother.' The opportunity for such heroics was made possible by a defense that redeemed itself after a notably poor performance against Ole Miss last year. In that game, LSU conceded 55 points and 706 yards, marking the highest total ever allowed by a Tigers defense. Despite implementing a new scheme this season under coordinator Blake Baker, many of the same defenders and Ole Miss offensive stars from 2023, including quarterback Jaxson Dart and wide receiver Tre Harris, were present on the field Saturday. Cornerback Zy Alexander expressed, 'We have been anticipating this matchup. From the moment we saw the schedule, we circled Ole Miss, knowing we had to be prepared for this game.' After allowing 21 points in the fourth quarter last year, LSU's defense did not permit a touchdown in the second half this time. With standout performances from Bradyn Swinson and Major Burns, the Tigers recorded six sacks, the highest total under Kelly, while linebacker Whit Weeks contributed with 18 tackles and a forced fumble. Weeks noted, 'We haven't discussed last year, but it has been in our minds as a defense. We understood the importance of coming out strong.'"

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin expressed disappointment, stating that his team "should have secured the victory," while Kelly remarked that his squad was "consistently ... one step behind." However, LSU, which believed it had squandered its season opener against USC—leading to Kelly's well-known table slam—managed to execute the most crucial plays during pivotal moments. "At the beginning of the season, our preparation was exceptional, yet it was not reflected in our performances," Kelly noted. "The players were not as precise as I had anticipated. Now, we are beginning to see some improvement in that regard."