Saunders, Ole Miss defense were ‘locked in’ for South Carolina. They’ll look for a repeat at LSU.

Ole Miss hasn’t won at LSU since 2008. However, the Rebels have taken two of the last three in the series.

They were mostly carried by their offense in those wins — as was the case last season, a 55-49 win in Oxford. But the Rebel defense has proven the calling card for Ole Miss so far in 2024-25.

The No. 9-ranked Rebels (5-1, 1-1 SEC) bounced back from an upset loss to Kentucky with a 27-3 win at South Carolina. They next take on No. 10 LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC.

“Last week was amazing,” senior Ole Miss safety John Saunders, Jr., said. “Our whole week of preparation was different coming off a loss. It was like everybody’s focus was intensified. We were just locked in from Monday meetings to Tuesday practice to Wednesday practice. 

“It was just totally different. We were all just hungry. Coach (Pete Golding) gave us some very powerful words — just letting us know everything is still in front of us. Just work hard and stay locked in and stacking games like that.”

Saunders and Co. are sure to be challenged this week with a Tiger offense ranked No. 12 nationally in pass offense efficiency, as well as No. 11 in third-down offense and No. 31 in offensive explosive plays. 

Ole Miss is No. 2 in the explosive category.

RELATED: Scouting LSU: What Ole Miss should watch out for against the Tigers

“Last year saw our steps of progress,” Saunders, Jr., said of the defensive improvement.

The three points allowed to the Gamecocks were the fewest by the Rebels against an SEC opponent since 2015. 

Saunders, continued: “This year just seeing us continue to progress. We’re just going to keep getting better every week. That’s the main focus — getting a little better every day.”

The Tigers are led offensively by quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and wide receiver Kyren Lacy.  Nussmeier is No. 2 in the SEC (behind Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart) in passing yards per game. The Rebel secondary is giving up just 203.8 on average through six games.

Lacy has five receiving touchdowns on the year, tied with Ole Miss’ Tre Harris for third in the SEC.

“He’s a good player,” Saunders said of Lacy. “They’ve got a couple good receivers and tight ends. We’ve got to make sure everybody knows where they’re located and if they’re going in motion. Work on our technique when they come and release and stuff.”

Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen is in a two-way tie for fourth in college football in quarterback pressures (7). The Senior Bowl this week named Nolen and Harris mid-season All-Americans.

RELATED: Hit That Line: It’s simple: Ole Miss needs 1-0 every Week or else

“I’m so excited and happy to play behind them,” Saunders said of the Rebels’ front seven.

“They make my job a lot easier. The defensive backs, all we pretty much gotta do is cover. 

“They’re cleaning up everything. A lot of times, the ball’s not even getting to the third level; it’s getting chipped down like two yards. Definitely give them a lot of kudos and respect and appreciation. They’re balling out right now.”

Ole Miss is likely to again be without EDGE Princely Umanmielen, who missed South Carolina with an injury. Second-year EDGE/linebacker Suntarine Perkins replaced him in the starting lineup and had 12 tackles in a career game for the former On3 Five-Star Plus+ recruit.

“P and TJ (Dottery, starting Ole Miss linebacker), they’re very vocal,” Saunders, Jr., said. “They bring us all together and talk to the DBs. They’re talking to the d-line. They just keep us up. They’re the glue that keeps all the defense together. They’re doing a great job in there.