Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin took a light-hearted jab at LSU's Brian Kelly after the Tigers' coach's animated reaction to his team's disappointing loss to USC.
Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin couldn't resist a playful dig at LSU's Brian Kelly after the Tigers' coach's animated outburst following their loss to USC.
Kelly was visibly frustrated with his team's performance in the closing moments of the game, which marked LSU's third straight opening loss. He slammed his fists on the table in anger, expressing his disappointment with their "unacceptable" performance.
Kiffin Mocks Kelly's Table-Thumping Outburst After LSU's Loss
Kiffin, whose Ole Miss team is ranked No. 6 in the nation, seized the opportunity to poke fun at his fellow SEC coach. On Tuesday, he tweeted, "Maybe you just need a @CokeZero and a (smile)."
The Rebels had plenty to celebrate after their resounding 76-0 victory over Football Championship Subdivision school Furman in Week 1. Quarterback Jaxson Dart threw for 418 yards and five touchdowns, while backup quarterback Austin Simmons added 111 yards and a touchdown pass. Ten different players recorded catches in the game.
Kiffin Mocks Kelly's Table-Thumping Outburst After LSU's Loss
LSU, on the other hand, struggled against USC. Trojans quarterback Miller Moss led them on a game-winning 75-yard drive that ended with a touchdown run by Woody Marks with just 8 seconds remaining.
Kelly was visibly upset after the game, criticizing his team's inability to close out the victory. "We're sitting here again talking about the same things! About not finishing when you have an opponent in a position to put them away," he said. "And I'm so angry about it that I've gotta do something about it. I'm not doing a good enough job as a coach, and I've gotta coach them better because it's unacceptable for us not to have found a way to win this football game."
Kiffin Mocks Kelly's Table-Thumping Outburst After LSU's Loss
Kiffin's playful jab is a reminder of the light-hearted rivalry between the two coaches. Ole Miss and LSU are scheduled to meet on Oct. 12, providing another opportunity for Kiffin to showcase his wit and Kelly to prove his ability to bounce back from adversity.
In the meantime, Kiffin remains focused on his own team's success. The Rebels will face Central Arkansas in Week 2 before a much-anticipated matchup against No. 2 Alabama in Week 3.
