No. 5 LSU Vs. Mississippi: Tigers Survive Shootout In Death Valley, 43-36

Our ping-pong game has come to an end, thanks to an excessive celebration penalty and LSU’s offense playing well. I suppose stranger things have happened.

Stevan Ridley punched in a touchdown for the Tigers, followed by a two-point conversion by Jordan Jefferson — the first of the second half after five combined attempts by both teams — to give LSU a 43-36 lead. And thanks to a bit of luck and close calls breaking their way on Mississippi’s last drive, the Bayou Bengals held on to win by that margin.

Holding serve is a lot easier to do when playing ping-pong. And it seems like Ole Miss and LSU are intent on doing exactly that.

Jeremiah Masoli found a wide open Markeith Summers downfield, and Summers outran the lone LSU safety, then dove into the end zone for six points and a 36-35 lead.

So it turns out that good field position can even help LSU’s offense.

The Tigers began their short-field drive with two consecutive pass plays, then turned to their ground game to get points, finishing the drive with an option pitch to Michael Ford for 27 yards and six points.

Wasn’t the strength of LSU’s team supposed to be its defense? For the second time this year, that unit is being exposed.

Jeremiah Masoli executed a read option to perfection, squirting up the middle for a 22-yard touchdown on a third and 5, and gave the Rebels the lead.

In today’s episode of Will Wonders Never Cease, LSU’s offense looked good for an entire touchdown drive.

The Bayou Bengals overcame an early holding penalty thanks to a couple of big plays from Jordan Jefferson to Reuben Randle and Chase Clement, then got a touchdown on a gutty Jefferson run up the middle.

It wouldn’t be an SEC game featuring an LSU team coached by Les Miles without a possibly heart-stopping fourth quarter.

And that’s exactly what today’s LSU-Mississippi game looks like it will be.