If you were looking for a high-flying track meet like we saw a few years back, the most recent LSU vs Ole Miss score probably came as a bit of a shock to the system. Oxford was rocking, but it wasn't the offensive explosion everyone predicted. Instead, we got a 24-19 grit-fest that saw No. 13 Ole Miss pull off a massive upset against a fourth-ranked LSU team that looked, honestly, a little lost in the sauce.
Vaught-Hemingway Stadium has a way of swallowing up top-five teams. This wasn't the 55-49 chaos of 2023. This was Lane Kiffin proving he can win when the game gets ugly.
The Shocking Reality of the 24-19 Scoreline
Most people expected Garrett Nussmeier to walk into Oxford and light up the scoreboard. He's been touted as a Heisman candidate for a reason. But the LSU vs Ole Miss score tells a different story—one of a stagnant Tigers offense that only managed 254 total yards. That's it. For a Brian Kelly team, that's basically a scoreless drought.
Ole Miss, on the other hand, found an unlikely hero in Trinidad Chambliss. He’s a Division II transfer. Most fans outside of Mississippi hadn't even heard his name a month ago. Now? He’s the guy who threw for 314 yards and outplayed one of the best quarterbacks in the country.
Why the LSU Offense Sputtered
You've gotta look at the injuries first. LSU was playing without Caden Durham, their explosive freshman back, and it showed. They couldn't run the ball to save their lives. They finished with only 57 rushing yards. When you can't run, the defense just sits back and waits for you to throw.
Ole Miss did exactly that. They dropped eight men into coverage constantly. Nussmeier was forced to check down or force balls into tight windows. He ended up with one touchdown and a costly interception to Wydett Williams Jr. that basically killed a momentum-shifting drive in the second quarter.
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- LSU Third Down Conversions: 2-of-11 (Ouch)
- Total Rushing Yards: 57
- Time of Possession: Dominated by the Rebels
Basically, the Tigers were stuck in mud. Even when Harlem Berry—another freshman—scored a late touchdown to make it 24-19, the two-point conversion failed. It felt like every time LSU caught a spark, Ole Miss had a bucket of water ready.
Key Moments That Defined the Game
The game actually started out great for the Tigers. Nussmeier found Nic Anderson on a wild, tipped-ball touchdown to go up 7-0 early. It was one of those plays where you think, "Okay, luck is on their side today."
It wasn't.
Ole Miss responded with an 18-play drive. That matches the longest drive of the Lane Kiffin era. They only got a field goal out of it, but it sent a message: We are going to grind you down.
The Fumble and the Flags
If there is one thing LSU fans are still screaming about, it’s the penalties. The Rebels' first touchdown drive was basically gifted to them by 49 yards of LSU penalties. You can't give a Lane Kiffin offense four free first downs and expect to keep the lead. Kewan Lacy eventually punched it in from 15 yards out to give Ole Miss a 10-7 lead they never gave back.
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There was also that weird fumble by Cayden Lee. He was sprinting for a touchdown, got hit by A.J. Haulcy, and the ball popped into the end zone for a touchback. LSU got the ball back, but they couldn't do a thing with it.
The Redemption of Logan Diggs
Talk about a narrative. Logan Diggs, who used to wear the purple and gold for LSU, was the one who effectively put the game away. In the fourth quarter, he hammered home a 6-yard touchdown to push the LSU vs Ole Miss score to 24-13.
Seeing a former Tiger celebrate in the end zone against his old team is the kind of drama that makes the Magnolia Bowl special. It was a "stab in the heart" moment for the traveling LSU fans who had been quieted by the Oxford crowd all afternoon.
Trinidad Chambliss: The New King of Oxford
We have to talk about Chambliss again. Filling in for the injured Austin Simmons, he’s now 3-0 as a starter. Kiffin called him a "little short kid from Division II," and while that’s a bit of a backhanded compliment, the kid has ice in his veins.
With under two minutes left, on a 4th-and-3, Kiffin didn't kick the field goal. He put the ball in Chambliss’ hands. The result? A 20-yard strike to Dae’Quan Wright to seal the victory. That’s big-boy football.
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What This Score Means for the SEC Race
This result flipped the script for 2025. LSU came in at No. 4, looking like a lock for the College Football Playoff. Now? They’re 4-1 and have a lot of questions to answer about their offensive line and their ability to handle physical defenses.
Ole Miss jumped into the top 10 and established themselves as a legitimate threat to win the conference. They are 5-0 and 3-0 in the SEC. For a team that usually relies on out-scoring people 50-45, winning a 24-19 defensive battle proves they have the "toughness" that critics said they lacked.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following the trajectory of these two teams, here is what you need to watch for moving forward:
- Watch the LSU Injury Report: The Tigers' offense is a different beast without Caden Durham. If he’s out for an extended period, expect more low-scoring struggles.
- Monitor the Ole Miss QB Situation: Austin Simmons might be the "starter," but Trinidad Chambliss just beat a top-5 team. Kiffin has a "good problem" on his hands.
- Betting the Under: This game proved that the Magnolia Bowl isn't always an "over" lock. Both defenses are much better than they were two years ago.
The next meeting is set for September 19, 2026, back in Baton Rouge. You can bet the Tigers have that date circled in red. Until then, the Rebels own the Magnolia Bowl trophy and the bragging rights that come with a signature top-5 win.