LSU football suffered the first loss of the Lane Kiffin era on Saturday. The Tigers fell to Ole Miss, Kiffin's former team, 32-24 in a nail biter that came down to the wire. They mounted a comeback in the second half but ultimately fell short.
In the first real test of his time with LSU, quarterback Sam Leavitt threw for 158 yards and a touchdown while also running for 63 yards and a touchdown. His pass on fourth and six with seconds left in the fourth quarter was tipped and intercepted by the Rebels.
Leavitt and the LSU offense didn't score until the back half of the second quarter. Dilin Jones rushed for 33 yards on the scoring drive, including a two-yard touchdown run. Ole Miss responded quickly as quarterback Trinidad Chambliss led a two-minute
drill that resulted in a touchdown, giving the home team a 24-7 lead at the half.
LSU scored 14 points in the third quarter as Leavitt came alive through the air and on the ground. The defense dug in to contain Chambliss and started the half with an interception. LSU scored on the ensuing possession thanks to a combined 33 rushing yards from Leavitt and Jones. After a missed field goal attempt by the Rebels, LSU scored on a 26-yard pass from Leavitt to Winston Watkins.
The Tigers tied the game on a field goal but got behind quickly after Chambliss ran for a score. The Rebels' quarterback finished with 363 passing yards and two touchdowns.
How did social media react to LSU losing to Ole Miss?
Just want to make this clear, the season is not over by any means.
— Jonah⚜️ (@BuiltinDaBoot) September 20, 2026
Its still Geaux Tigers. #ForeverLSU
LSU will be back. No doubt in my mind.
I tell you what… I feel waaaay better at the end of this game than I did at halftime.
— Dylan Mckneely (@DylanMckneely) September 20, 2026
It’s still GEAUX TIGERS!
You win some and you lose some!! Good game Ole Miss. Way to fight boys. Still & always #GeauxTigers
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) September 20, 2026
Some social media users expressed confidence and optimism in LSU, despite the loss. Formerr LSU star Ryan Clark was among them.
Leavitt missed so many open receivers all night.
— PPT (@ProPelsTalk) September 20, 2026
He had an incredible 2nd half, but overall way too many mistakes
Trinidad Chambliss is the difference in this game right now
— T-Bob Hebert (@TBob53) September 20, 2026
Sam Leavitt doesn't look like he belongs on the same field
Impressed LSU battled back from 24-7 at half. But Sam Leavitt was seeing ghosts all night, resorting to pocket-bolting scrambles, relying more on his feet than his accuracy, which came and went. Just missed backup TE at goal line.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) September 20, 2026
Skip Bayless was among several social media users taking shots at Leavitt after his performance fell short of Chambliss'. Leavitt led two scoring drives in the third quarter to help the Tigers tie the game.
Mississippi 32, LSU 24
— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) September 20, 2026
The football gods have rendered judgment
Lane Kiffin lost to the program he said couldnt get good players, to the quarterback that refused to follow him, in the stadium he said wasnt big enough
— Michael Borkey (@MichaelBorkey) September 20, 2026
Tough
Lane Kiffin got beat by the team that he built and by the QB he recruited and that wouldn’t go to LSU with him.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 20, 2026
Kiffin got heat on social media from several users about the loss to his former team. Several players, including Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy, opted to remain in Oxford. Robert Griffin III was among those criticizing Kiffin.
Sam Leavitt’s one TOUGH SOB
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 20, 2026
Good for the Ole Miss kids.
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) September 20, 2026
Congrats to Ole Miss, great game! Thanks for the hospitality! See yall in Death Valley next year!
— Governor Jeff Landry (@LAGovJeffLandry) September 20, 2026
The game between LSU and Ole Miss brought out opinions on social media from the sports media landscape and fans on both sides. ESPN analysts Dan Orlovsky and Pat McAfee chimed in with their thoughts. Louisiana governor Jeff Landry, who was in Oxford for the game, set the table for the rematch next year in Baton Rouge.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Social media reacts to LSU football, Lane Kiffin losing to Ole Miss
