OXFORD, Miss. — LSU’s heartbreaking 32–24 loss to Ole Miss was already difficult enough for Tigers fans to process.
Then attention turned back to the health of quarterback Sam Leavitt.
Leavitt entered Saturday night surrounded by uncertainty after appearing on the SEC availability report earlier in the week. He was initially listed as doubtful, upgraded to questionable, and ultimately removed from the report before kickoff, clearing the way for him to start against Ole Miss. Reuters reported that the exact nature of his physical issue was unclear, with reports pointing to either back spasms or soreness in his throwing shoulder.
That timeline has taken on even greater significance after LSU’s first loss of the season.
There has been no confirmed postgame announcement that Leavitt played the entire game injured or that he was medically incapable of performing at 100%. But the documented physical issue and his limited preparation during the week provide important context for a performance that ended in devastating fashion.
And for LSU fans, that context makes the loss hurt even more.
Leavitt’s Week Was Anything but Normal
The first warning arrived Wednesday.
Leavitt unexpectedly appeared on LSU’s SEC availability report as doubtful. According to reporting before the game, he did not practice Wednesday because of a physical issue. By Thursday, however, his situation had improved significantly.
LSU upgraded him to questionable, and Leavitt returned to practice.
Then came another major development Friday night.
His name disappeared from the availability report entirely.
That meant Leavitt was available to face Ole Miss.
The rapid progression — doubtful to questionable to completely off the report — generated plenty of discussion before kickoff, particularly because LSU head coach Lane Kiffin was returning to Oxford to face his former program.
Some observers wondered whether there was gamesmanship involved.
But one report noted that Leavitt had indeed missed Wednesday’s practice and participated only lightly in Thursday’s walkthrough, indicating that there had been at least some legitimate physical concern during the week.
By Saturday night, though, there was no more time for speculation.
LSU needed its quarterback.
And Leavitt played.
LSU Found Itself in a Massive Hole
The Tigers couldn’t have asked for a much worse start.
Ole Miss stormed ahead and carried a 24–7 advantage into halftime, leaving LSU staring at the possibility of a decisive defeat in one of the most emotionally charged games of its season.
But Leavitt and the Tigers refused to disappear.
The quarterback helped ignite the comeback himself, scoring on a four-yard run during the third quarter.
Then he delivered through the air.
Leavitt connected with Winston Watkins Jr. for a 26-yard touchdown, bringing LSU within three.
Suddenly, a game that appeared to be slipping away had completely changed.
When Sam Starzyk converted a 23-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, LSU had completed an extraordinary comeback.
24–24.
Seventeen points erased.
Everything was suddenly possible again.
One Final Opportunity
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss responded with a 14-yard rushing touchdown before the Rebels converted the two-point attempt.
Ole Miss led 32–24.
LSU had one more chance.
Leavitt took the Tigers downfield knowing that a touchdown and successful two-point conversion could force overtime.
Considering what he had dealt with earlier in the week, merely reaching that position told part of the story.
But football can be cruel.
With LSU threatening in the closing minutes, Leavitt attempted to make the play that could keep the comeback alive.
Ole Miss defensive back Jaylon Braxton intercepted him in the end zone with 1:03 remaining.
Game over.
Ole Miss celebrated.
LSU was left wondering what might have been. The Rebels had survived the comeback and handed Kiffin his first defeat as LSU’s head coach.
The Numbers Don’t Tell the Entire Story
Leavitt finished 16-of-27 for 158 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown.
Those aren’t spectacular numbers.
But evaluating them without acknowledging the week leading into the game would leave out important context.
Days earlier, there had been legitimate uncertainty about whether LSU’s starting quarterback would even be available.
He had missed practice.
He had appeared as doubtful.
Then questionable.
Only shortly before the game was he completely removed from the availability report.
Whether that physical issue materially affected his performance against Ole Miss remains unconfirmed.
That’s the distinction that matters.
There is evidence that Leavitt dealt with a physical problem during preparation for Ole Miss. There is not yet verified evidence establishing that the injury significantly limited him throughout Saturday night’s game.
Still, the timing inevitably leaves LSU supporters asking questions.
Was Leavitt completely comfortable throwing the football?
Did the missed practice time affect LSU’s offensive preparation?
Could a healthier week have produced a different result?
Those questions may linger.
A Painful Night Gets Even More Complicated
LSU didn’t lose because of one player.
Ole Miss produced 426 total yards compared with LSU’s 330, and Chambliss threw for 363 yards and two touchdowns before delivering the decisive fourth-quarter rushing score.
LSU also spent the entire second half trying to recover from a massive halftime deficit.
Yet Leavitt gave the Tigers an opportunity.
From 24–7 down to 24–24.
From what looked like a crushing defeat to a final drive with an opportunity to force overtime.
That’s why the final interception will hurt.
But it’s also why Leavitt’s health entering the game will remain part of the conversation surrounding LSU’s first defeat.
The Tigers left Oxford 2–1.
Ole Miss walked away 3–0.
And LSU fans were left with two painful questions:
What if that final pass had been completed?
And perhaps more importantly:
What might Sam Leavitt have looked like if the week leading into LSU’s biggest game had been completely normal?
