Lane Kiffin responds to criticism of red zone offense, decision making

Ole Miss fell 31-20 to Auburn on Saturday night, but it likely could have been closer. 

Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin avoided late-game field goals in favor of going for it on fourth down, and he received widespread criticism for the decision that ultimately sealed Ole Miss’ fate.

At his Monday press conference, the second-year head coach addressed the controversy and defended his decision making at the time. 

“We did not play well on offense, especially in critical situations, kind of like the Alabama game,” Kiffin said. “Those are two games where we’ve struggled on fourth down conversions, and those are a big deal just like they are when you make them. They keep drives alive. When you don’t make them, you don’t get any points.”

Ole Miss was 1-for-4 on fourth downs on Saturday and 2-for-5 against Alabama on Oct. 2. All three failed conversions against Auburn came in the second half when Ole Miss was trailing. 

Rebels lead the nation in fourth down conversion attempts

Kiffin already likes taking the chance on fourth down, as the Rebels lead the nation in fourth down conversion attempts. In their six wins, they are 21-for-25. He suggested the analytics were not pointing him in either direction on Saturday, perhaps increasing the likelihood he would not kick the field goals. 

“We research everything that we do, and I would say just like the book was very right in the middle on the fourth down, on whether to kick when it is 8 [points],” Kiffin said. “So obviously we didn’t make the fourth down, so we would kick if we could redo it. That’s how it goes.”

The plays were a 4th and 1 from the Auburn 20 yard line, a 4th and 7 from the Auburn 13 yard line and a 4th and 3 from the Auburn 18 yard line. Ole Miss did make a 49-yard field goal with 6:31 remaining in the third quarter to cut Auburn’s lead to 8 points. 

“Just kind of felt we had struggled on offense, that it was going to take a lot to make the field goal and also stop, get the ball, and move all the way down,” Kiffin added. “And you’re still going to need to score a touchdown. It’s not like it’s truly a one-possession game that you’re going to a field goal like a 6-point game. So it is what it is.”

The Rebels were able to move down the field, amassing 464 total yards and 26 first downs. They only turned the ball over once. They just could not finish the drives, and the now 6-2 Tigers came out on top of the now 6-2 Rebels.

The loss effectively eliminated them from SEC West contention, but they can still make a run at a New Year’s Six bowl game. 

Ole Miss plays their last non-conference game of the season on Saturday, a road game against former Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze and Liberty. They are 9.5-point favorites. The game kicks off at noon ET on the SEC Network.