LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier awaits a snap against the Ole Miss defense during their 2024 matchup in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Nussmeier threw back-to-back touchdown passes to end regulation and overtime, lifting LSU to a 29-26 victory. Stephen Lew / Imagn ImagesOXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss fans don’t need a scouting report on Garrett Nussmeier. They remember 2024.
For most of that night in Baton Rouge, LSU’s quarterback was erratic — throwing two interceptions and struggling to find rhythm. But with the Rebels leading late, he converted a fourth-and-6, hit Aaron Anderson for the tying score with 27 seconds left, then threw the winner to Kyren Lacy on LSU’s first snap of overtime. A game Ole Miss controlled for 59 minutes turned into a 29-26 heartbreak.
“I played bad, but we had a chance to win the ball game and I had to focus on that,” Nussmeier said after the game. “Hopefully, this will be a huge growth moment for me in taking my game to the next level.”
Lane Kiffin hasn’t forgotten either. “Perkins has him to go to, what, fourth and 24 or something? And he gets out of that,” he said this week. “He saved the game last year. Really great, savvy player.”
That memory lingers, but Saturday brings a new challenge. Nussmeier returns to Oxford as a more confident passer — and with a system that LSU head coach Brian Kelly says now suits his style.
“We got a little scripted offensively,” Kelly said of LSU’s early-season approach. “It was so planned out… but then the game starts and you’ve got to adapt and adjust. … He loves to throw the football down the field. We’re going to continue to do that.”
Kelly also praised the instincts that Ole Miss knows all too well. “I thought his escape out of the pocket where he threw the touchdown pass was outstanding,” Kelly said. “Those are the things we’re looking for from him.”
The numbers that matter
Nussmeier enters this week ranked second in the SEC in passing yards (962) and completions per game (23), with a 68.6% completion rate (fifth in the league). But he’s not flawless — his 7.0 yards per attempt ranks 16th in the SEC, and he’s thrown two interceptions.
Ole Miss’ pass defense, meanwhile, has been stingy through four games:
- 49.2% completion rate allowed (No. 1 in the SEC)
- 5.45 yards per attempt allowed
- +4 turnover margin
Situationally, the Rebels have thrived on third down, holding opponents to 30.2% conversions. That could be decisive against an LSU offense converting nearly half its third downs.
What’s different this time
Kelly has turned Nussmeier loose. Against Southeastern Louisiana last week, LSU scored five straight first-half touchdowns, with Nussmeier attacking vertically and extending plays. “He loves to throw the football down the field,” Kelly said.
For Ole Miss, the key will be pressure before he escapes. Defensive tackle Zxavian Harris has 5.0 tackles for loss, fourth-most in the SEC. Safety Deshawn Gaddie and corner Trey Washington anchor a secondary that has allowed just three passing touchdowns all season.
The assignment
Nussmeier’s last trip to Oxford is the reason this week feels bigger. In 2023, LSU’s defense faltered while Ole Miss rolled up almost 700 yards in a 55-49 win. In 2024, Nussmeier flipped the script.
Now, with both teams unbeaten, the Magnolia Bowl may come down to the same question as last year: Can Ole Miss close out the LSU quarterback when the game is on the line?