WATCH: Nussmeier presents Daniels-ish challenge for Ole Miss defense, one of nation’s best
Ole Miss fifth-year head coach Lane Kiffin and veteran team leaders Jordan Watkins (wide receiver) and Jared Ivey (defensive line) ushered in LSU game week on Monday.
The Rebels stabilized their season with a 27-3 win at South Carolina over the weekend. They sit 5-1 on an expectations-filled 2024-25 season, including a 1-1 mark in SEC games. They’re back climbing Top 25 polls, too.
Ole Miss was ranked No. 9 by the Associated Press — up three from its six-spot tumble following the Kentucky loss. Up next is No. 10 LSU (4-1. 1-0) Saturday in Baton Rouge. Kickoff is 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC.
“Really big week for us in preparation,” Kiffin said after practice Monday. “Going to play a really talented, well-coached team in a really challenging place to play always, but especially at night, so excited for the challenge.
“A lot of work to do and things to improve on offensively. Really felt good about two (defense and special teams) of the three phases. Our goal is to play a complete game this week.”
LSU suffered a season-opening loss to USC but has since taken down Nicholls, South Carolina, UCLA and South Alabama. The Tigers are coming off a bye week.
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is second in the SEC in passing.
He’s behind only third-year Ole Miss starting quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Nussmeier is averaging 330.4 yards per game. His favorite target is Karen Lacy, who’s tied with star Rebel wide receiver Tre Harris for third in the SEC in receiving touchdowns (5).
“(Nussmeier) is a good player and stouter kind of guy,” Ivey said. Ole Miss tallied a season-high six sacks against South Carolina. The Rebels have notched double-digit tackles for loss in four games, the most since 2015.
“A lot different than Jayden (Daniels), but he’s a good player. We’re just preparing for him like a pocket passer with some legs than can go get a first down when he needs to. They do a good job pushing the ball downfield. They’ve got some fast receivers. Keeping the top on the defense and giving them some rush so the (Rebel defensive backs) don’t have to cover all day.”
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Ole Miss’ three points allowed to the Gamecocks were the fewest for the Rebels against an SEC team since 2015.
“The hit from Daijahn (Anthony) that forced that fumble out was a really big play and momentum swing,” Ivey said, when asked his favorite memory from last year’s Ole Miss-LSU thriller in Oxford.
“I think probably the most memorable thing is just the end of the game — that last (pass break-up) and the fans rushing the field. It was a surreal feeling.”
Bradyn Swinson is the ‘Name to Know’ on the Tiger defense.
He’s third in the conference in sacks (5.0) and 11th in tackles for loss (6.0). Ole Miss last got the better of traditional rival LSU in Death Valley way back in 2008 — a 31-13 Rebel win.
“The game in 2022 was my first time playing in Death Valley,” Watkins said. “I’ve been around that environment already; it’s a very hostile environment. Their fans show up and they’re loud. Just being in that environment once will probably help a little bit.
“Jaxson’s already used to that. We didn’t play at night in 2022, but you know it’s going to be a great crowd. We’re super excited to get out there and go against LSU on their own turf.”
RELATED: Tre Harris injury update: What is the status with Ole Miss’ top receiver?
