Lane Kiffin didn’t spend Monday trying to hide from the sting of Saturday’s 32-24 loss to Ole Miss. He leaned into it, talked through the emotions, and made clear the film session brought the frustration right back.
“It was a lot (of emotions). Obviously I talked about mine right after the game when I was asked, but I think that they went through a lot... I think initially was like one feeling with that happening and losing the game.
“And then like I said, I went through it yesterday watching the film and they went through it this morning watching the film, going, 'Wait, the game was right there to be won.'”
Kiffin said the mood had settled some since Saturday night, but Monday morning’s film review reopened the door to all the missed chances. That’s the reality of a first loss - the pain doesn’t just fade because the next week is already here.
One of the clearest issues from the Ole Miss game was up front. Kiffin pointed directly to pass protection, saying the line had too many one-on-one losses.
“Pass protection, too many breakdowns in 1-on-1 matchups.”
He did note that the run game has been solid, but the passing game is where the Tigers need cleaner work. The quarterback play, naturally, is tied to that. Kiffin said Sam Leavitt’s struggles against the Rebels were affected by the pressure he faced early.
“When you get impacted early in the game by rush, which (Ole Miss) did a really good job with, you can't step up and throw in rhythm. It affects you. Confidence is fragile at every position, but especially at QB.”
That fed into his bigger point about the passing game overall: LSU needs more completions, fewer dead plays, and better movement from the defense when the ball does come out.
“I think we've got to do a better job in our passing game of being consistent with more completions. We have a lot of incompletions, a lot of dead plays where you're not getting anything, and you're not making the defense run sideline-to-sideline when you're not completing the ball, and that's been part of it.
“So just dealing with that and getting guys' hands down and getting the ball in the throwing lanes.”
Now the focus turns to Texas A&M, and Kiffin knows exactly what kind of challenge is waiting. Marcel Reed has been a problem for LSU before, and Kiffin didn’t pretend otherwise.
“This is a big test. Like you said, we've struggled here with him before.
I think we lead the country in run defense, but that hasn't been against a ton of QB schemed runs. Last week was just him making stuff on his own...
So that's a different set of challenges. Takes a lot of discipline.”
He also addressed the atmosphere piece after Texas A&M took over Tiger Stadium last season. His answer was blunt.
“By winning and getting up. That's what happens in this sport.”
Kiffin added that Texas A&M’s own game this past weekend was another reminder that any team can find itself on the wrong side of the crowd if things go sideways.
As for how LSU keeps its attention on what’s next, Kiffin said the team uses the same approach regardless of result.
“Just to make sure their mind is always going to the next game and not on the last one. Whether you win or lose, we do the same thing.”
In Other News...
LSUs Quarterback Situation Just Got Dragged Into A New Controversy
LSUs quarterback room has already carried plenty of weight this season, and now Sam Leavitts move to Baton Rouge has been pulled into a very different kind of spotlight. The Tigers loss to Ole Miss was the backdrop, but the noise afterward centered on social media attention around an account believed to be linked to Leavitts father, Jared Leavitt, a former BYU linebacker.
The posts drew controversy for comments about Muslims, and they quickly became part of the conversation around LSUs quarterback situation. As of now, LSU has not issued a statement about the social media posts, and there has been no apology from the account, leaving another off-field issue hanging over a team trying to settle things on the field. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Fans Had Plenty To Say About This Ole Miss Sideshow
The LSU-Ole Miss matchup had plenty of on-field intrigue, but a separate social media subplot quickly grabbed attention around the game. A fan seated next to Barstools Ben Mintz was identified online as Hannah Minch, an Ole Miss supporter who already had a sizable following, and her appearance in the seats turned into one of those viral side stories that can travel fast during a big SEC weekend.
For LSU fans, it was another reminder of how much the conversation around this rivalry now spills well beyond the stadium. Minchs profile surged after the moment spread, while Lane Kiffin added his own layer to the night by speaking about the emotional closure he felt connected to his Ole Miss past and his current LSU role. It left plenty for both fan bases to debate long after the game itself faded from view. [Read more 🡒]
Trinidad Chambliss Had A Message LSU Fans Wont Like
Ole Miss left Baton Rouge with a 32-24 win, and Trinidad Chambliss made sure the tone afterward matched the result. The Rebels quarterback was sharp from the start, finishing 33 of 48 for 363 yards and two touchdowns, and his play helped Ole Miss build a 24-7 lead by halftime before LSU tightened things up in the second half.
Chambliss also had a message for anyone still sizing up the Rebels after the game. He said Ole Miss is here to compete, a confidence that fit the way he played when the pressure was at its highest. For LSU, it was the kind of loss that leaves a sting because the early deficit made the comeback chase so difficult, and because the opposing quarterback sounded anything but surprised by the stage. [Read more 🡒]