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LSU outlasts Ole Miss, remains atop national rankings

Nov 18, 2007 - 3:15 AM OXFORD, Mississippi (Ticker) -- Craig Steltz helped Louisiana State remain atop the rankings.

Steltz recorded a pair of interceptions Saturday as top-ranked LSU grinded out a 41-24 triumph over Ole Miss in Southeastern Conference play.

It was the fourth consecutive victory for the Tigers (10-1, 6-1 SEC West), who can clinch a berth in the BCS championship game with wins next week over Arkansas and the following week in the SEC title game.

LSU claimed the No. 1 spot in the rankings September 30 but fell to fifth two weeks later following a triple-overtime loss to Kentucky.

But five weeks after the potentially crushing loss to the Wildcats, LSU clinched its first outright SEC West Division title and secured its school-record third straight season with at least 10 wins.

"I'm proud of the confidence this team has to have picked up their 10th win of the season and an outright Western Division championship," LSU coach Les Miles said.

The Tigers, who won their last two SEC games by close margins, appeared headed toward another nail-biter in this one. Facing a 14-7 deficit, the Rebels (3-8, 0-7 West) drove the ball deep into LSU's territory near the end of the first half and looked primed to forge a tie.

But Steltz, a senior safety, preserved the Tigers' lead when he intercepted Seth Adams in the end zone with 37 seconds remaining in the opening half.

Steltz made another crucial play with 6:15 remaining in the contest, intercepting backup Brent Schaeffer deep in Tigers territory and returning it to midfield.

"They put in a new quarterback, and some things happened," Miles said. "We ended up playing great defense."

LSU added some much-needed insurance four plays later when Jacob Hester plowed for a two-yard touchdown run to make it 34-17.

The breathing room proved crucial for the Tigers, as Schaeffer found Shay Hodge for a 30-yard TD to cut Ole Miss' deficit to 34-24 with 2:54 remaining.

But LSU recovered the ensuing onside kick, and Charles Scott raced for a 29-yard TD with two minutes remaining to seal the victory.

Matt Flynn delivered an unspectacular yet efficient performance for LSU, completing 17-of-25 passes for 168 yards. The senior signal-caller also ran for a five-yard TD to open the scoring.

"We had to take a bunch of underneath stuff," Flynn said. "In a game like that, you can't make any big mistakes. We really held onto the ball, and when we needed big plays towards the end, they were there."

Flynn directed a conservative offensive attack which ran for 228 yards without committing a turnover.

"It's always the old coaching axiom," Miles said. "You keep running the ball so that three yards will turn into four, four will turn into six, and six will turn into eight. If you start off in the first quarter like that, those gains just improve."

The Tigers took the lead for good 12 minutes into the contest when Trindon Holliday scored on a 98-yard kickoff return to make it 14-7.

Keiland Williams raced for a 10-yard TD run five minutes into the second quarter and Colt David drilled a 48-yard field goal six minutes later to give LSU a 24-10 halftime lead.

Schaeffer was brilliant off the bench for the Rebels, rushing for 94 yards and a TD on just eight carries. The speedy southpaw also completed 13-of-28 passes for 208 yards.

"I was just trying to make plays," Schaeffer said. "They're a good defense and sometimes everyone was covered. You just have to take off with the ball and do the best you can, and that's what I did."