LSU Had Seven Plays Near the Goal Line. It Still Couldn’t Score
LSU did almost everything necessary to turn a 17-point comeback into one of the defining wins of Lane Kiffin’s first season. Then the Tigers got six yards away from overtime and discovered the same problem that had haunted them earlier in the night: finishing.
Quick Answer
LSU reached the Ole Miss 6-yard line on its final possession trailing 32-24. The Tigers then ran seven plays from inside the 10, including multiple snaps from the 6, without scoring. On fourth-and-goal, Sam Leavitt’s pass was tipped and intercepted by Jaylon Braxton, ending the comeback.
The drive put LSU exactly where it wanted to be
After Ole Miss reclaimed the lead with a touchdown and two-point conversion, LSU still had enough time to answer. The Tigers moved into scoring position and reached the Ole Miss 6 with the game hanging in the balance.
At that point, the mission was simple: score a touchdown, convert the two-point try and force overtime.
Seven snaps became a study in red-zone stress
Instead, LSU stalled. The field compressed. Throwing windows shrank. Ole Miss could attack the line of scrimmage without worrying about defending 50 yards behind it. Each failed snap increased the pressure on the next.
That is the part of red-zone offense that does not show up in raw yardage totals. LSU had moved the ball well enough to create the chance. Once the Tigers got near the goal line, the offense needed a decisive answer and never found one.
The interception was the final play, not the only problem
Jaylon Braxton’s interception ended the game, but focusing only on the turnover misses the larger issue. LSU had multiple opportunities to finish before fourth down. Better first-down efficiency, a cleaner run look, a quicker throw or one winning matchup could have changed the entire sequence.
Why this matters against Texas A&M
Close SEC games are usually decided in compressed spaces. LSU will face another physical defense next week when Texas A&M comes to Tiger Stadium. The Tigers cannot count on reaching the red zone seven times and eventually finding an answer. The plan has to be cleaner before the final snap.
Read the LSU–Ole Miss final recap.
See how the comeback unfolded in LSU’s 17-point rally breakdown.
Next up: LSU vs. Texas A&M.
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