When the clock hit zero at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 27, 2025, the scoreboard read Ole Miss 24, LSU 19. It wasn't just another SEC game. Honestly, it felt like a shift in the gravity of the Magnolia Bowl. For LSU fans, it was a frustrating afternoon of "what ifs" and stalled drives. For the Rebels, it was a statement that Lane Kiffin’s squad isn't just a high-flying circus—they can actually grind out a win with defense.
If you’re looking for the LSU and Ole Miss football score, that 24-19 result is the most recent chapter in a rivalry that's been going since 1894. But the numbers on the screen don't tell the whole story. You've got to look at how a backup quarterback named Trinidad Chambliss basically took over the game while LSU’s offense, usually a powerhouse under Brian Kelly, looked completely lost in the Oxford fog.
The 2025 Magnolia Bowl: A Defensive Masterclass?
Most people expect a track meet when these two teams meet. Remember 2023? That 55-49 explosion in Oxford was basically a basketball game played in pads. But 2025 was different. Ole Miss held LSU to just 254 total yards. That's a staggering stat when you realize Garrett Nussmeier was under center for the Tigers.
LSU actually jumped out to a 7-0 lead early on a tipped-pass touchdown to Nic Anderson. It looked like the Tigers might run away with it. Then, the Rebels' defense decided to drop eight men into coverage for basically the rest of the game. LSU couldn't run the ball without Caden Durham, who was out with an injury, and Nussmeier was forced to try and thread needles against a sea of blue jerseys.
By halftime, Ole Miss had clawed back to a 17-7 lead. Trinidad Chambliss, filling in for the injured Austin Simmons, was dealing. He didn't just throw for 300+ yards; he ran for 71. LSU’s "Bayou Bandits" defense forced some turnovers to keep it close, but the Tigers' inability to convert on third down (they went a dismal 2 of 11) was the nail in the coffin.
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Recent LSU and Ole Miss Football Score History
To understand why this series is so wild, you have to look at the last few years. It’s been a total rollercoaster.
- 2025: Ole Miss 24, LSU 19 – The "Chambliss Game." Defense reigned supreme.
- 2024: LSU 29, Ole Miss 26 (OT) – A Saturday night classic in Death Valley. Nussmeier threw a walk-off touchdown to Kyren Lacy in overtime.
- 2023: Ole Miss 55, LSU 49 – Total chaos. Over 1,300 combined yards of offense. Jayden Daniels vs. Jaxson Dart was peak college football.
- 2022: LSU 45, Ole Miss 20 – Brian Kelly’s first taste of the rivalry, and the Tigers dominated the second half.
Basically, the home team has won 12 of the last 14 times these teams have played on the field. If you’re betting on this game, "Home Field Advantage" isn't just a cliché; it’s a statistical reality.
Why LSU Fans are Frustrated
The LSU and Ole Miss football score in 2025 has sparked a lot of debate in Baton Rouge. Brian Kelly is under fire for a lack of identity. One week they look like national title contenders, and the next, they can't pick up three yards on 4th-and-short.
LSU entered that 2025 matchup ranked No. 4 in the country. They left Oxford with their first loss of the season and a lot of questions about their toughness. Without a reliable rushing attack, the offense becomes one-dimensional. When you're one-dimensional in the SEC, defensive coordinators like Pete Golding will eat you alive.
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The Magic of the Magnolia Bowl
It wasn't always called the "Magnolia Bowl." That name actually came from a student vote back in 2008. The magnolia is the state flower of both Louisiana and Mississippi, so it makes sense. But the rivalry goes way deeper than a trophy.
Think back to 1959. Billy Cannon’s Halloween Run. That 89-yard punt return is still arguably the most famous play in LSU history. LSU won that game 7-3. It was a slugfest, much like the 2025 game.
Then there’s 1972— "The Night the Clock Stopped." LSU scored with one second left (or zero seconds, depending on who you ask in Mississippi) to win 17-16. Ole Miss fans still talk about that "home clock" to this day. There’s a level of pettiness in this rivalry that you just don't find anywhere else. LSU fans yell "Geaux to Hell, Ole Miss," and the Rebels return the favor. Simple. Effective.
Series Stats at a Glance (On-the-Field Results)
- Total Meetings: 114
- LSU Wins: 66
- Ole Miss Wins: 44
- Ties: 4
- Current Streak: Ole Miss (1 win)
Note: These numbers include games later vacated by the NCAA, but we're talking about what happened on the grass.
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What to Expect Next
The next time these two face off is scheduled for September 19, 2026. If the pattern holds, the LSU and Ole Miss football score will likely favor the Tigers since they'll be back in the friendly (and loud) confines of Tiger Stadium.
For Ole Miss, the 2025 win was a massive hump to get over. It was their first win over a top-5 LSU team since 1965. Lane Kiffin has officially made Oxford a place where elite teams go to die. Whether it’s Jaxson Dart or Trinidad Chambliss under center, the Rebels have found a way to bridge the talent gap that used to exist between these two programs.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you're following this rivalry closely, here are a few things to keep in mind for future matchups:
- Watch the Injury Report: LSU’s offense completely changed in 2025 without Caden Durham. They became predictable. If the starting RB is out, expect a lower-scoring affair as defenses tee off on the QB.
- The "Home Dog" Rule: In this series, the home team is incredibly tough to beat, regardless of the rankings. If Ole Miss or LSU is an underdog at home in the Magnolia Bowl, that’s usually where the value is.
- Quarterback Depth: The 2025 game proved that Ole Miss can win with a backup. Lane Kiffin’s system is QB-friendly, whereas LSU’s system under Kelly seems to rely more on individual brilliance from guys like Nussmeier or Daniels.
- Third Down is Key: Look at the box scores. In 2025, LSU lost because they couldn't stay on the field (2-of-11 on 3rd down). In 2023, both teams were highly efficient, leading to a shootout.
The LSU and Ole Miss football score is rarely just a number; it’s usually a reflection of who won the physical battle in the trenches. In 2025, that was Ole Miss. Next year? In Death Valley, everything changes.
Check the official SEC schedule for the 2026 kickoff times and keep an eye on the transfer portal, as both programs are heavily active there to fill defensive gaps.