Just when it looked like LSU was left for dead, Ed Orgeron’s Tigers closed out the season by winning two games they entered as underdogs.

Saturday night in Tiger Stadium, with the rain beating down on LSU, the Tigers outlasted Ole Miss 53-48.

The win came with Max Johnson earning his second victory in as many starts. The true freshman passed for 435 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.

Freshman Kayshon Boutte registered 14 catches for 308 yards and three touchdowns.

Not a bad way to close out the season, as the Tigers won’t be playing this postseason after imposing a bowl ban.

One thing Orgeron did not want to discuss was any potential coaching changes that may be coming in Baton Rouge.

Here are the highlights of Orgeron’s postgame comments following the win over Ole Miss.

Orgeron on Kayshon Boutte’s big game/Max Johnson connection:

“There’s a lot of hard work going into that. Those guys, you can come in the office on Saturday and Sunday in the summer, they’re throwing, they’re working out on their own. Students of the game. Two outstanding young players, great, great job of calling according to the coverages and putting the ball in our best players’ hands. I was very proud of them.”

Orgeron on Kayshon Boutte’s emergence:

“When Ja’Marr Chase left, Kayshon had a tremendous practice. Man, he was catching the go-route about as good as anybody I’ve ever seen. But he’s learned the offense, not only a speed receiver, he runs good routes, especially the dig, and he catches all the balls thrown to him. He’s made improvements, still has a long ways. I think he’s going to be one of the great players that we have here at LSU.”

Orgeron on the team coming together and playing well:

“I think we fought through adversity, obviously. We’ve stayed with each other, and those guys that chose not to opt-out, to finish, very proud. I’m very proud of the seniors who played the last games. I think it showed the young guys that never quit. Just keep on working, the elation in the locker room after Florida game. The elation on Wednesday when we had a great signing class, and the elation today was something that you can’t replace. It’s something that when you fight hard and you work for, it’s something to behold.”

Orgeron on Max Johnson responding after throwing an interception:

“Yeah, he’s got ice in his veins. I mean, his dad was a Super Bowl champion quarterback. He was raised on football. He knows how to react. Max is even-keeled, the same guy every day. He matured a lot tonight, he matured a lot in the Swamp. He’s gonna be a great quarterback for us.”