Tag: Mississippi

Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) signals a first down after his run against the Miami Hurricanes during their Vrbo Fiesta Bowl matchup at State Farm Stadium on Jan. 8, 2026.

Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss’ appeal for 6th season denied by NCAA

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Trinidad Chambliss was already prepared for more bad news from the NCAA. On Wednesday, that news became official.

Ole Miss confirmed its star quarterback lost his appeal to the NCAA for sixth year of eligibility, meaning Chambliss’ next step will be in Mississippi state court.

The NCAA on Jan. 9 initially denied Chambliss’ request for a waiver to receive a medical redshirt after he argued that persistent respiratory issues prevented him from playing in 2022 when he was a redshirt freshman at Division II Ferris State.

His performance as an Ole Miss senior transfer in 2025 helped spark the 13-2 Rebels’ run to the College Football Playoff, which ended with a 31-27 semifinal loss to Miami in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 8.

Part of the NCAA’s ruling in denying the appeal included the finding that adequate medical evidence from a treating physician wasn’t provided in the waiver request.

After the initial denial of the waiver, Chambliss’ attorneys filed a lawsuit against the NCAA, requesting an injunction that would allow Chambliss to play in 2026. Denial of the appeal was widely expected.

Ole Miss issued a statement after news of the ruling was made public Wednesday, stating in part, “The NCAA Athletics Eligibility Subcommittee’s decision to deny Trinidad’s appeal is indefensible in light of the undisputed facts. … he did not dress for a single game (in 2022) while suffering from severe, incapacitating medical conditions. Those conditions were fully and contemporaneously documented by his treating physician, yet this waiver request was still denied when it should have been approved at the NCAA staff level.”

The lawsuit filed on Chambliss’ behalf stated, “In Trinidad’s case, the NCAA failed in its mission to foster his well-being and development as a student-athlete. The mechanisms (i.e., waiver rules) for granting Trinidad an additional year of eligibility — so that he has the opportunity to compete in four years of college football — are available and within the NCAA’s control.

“Despite the duty of good faith and fair dealing it owes Trinidad, the NCAA insists on considering the evidence in Trinidad’s case in an isolated, rather than comprehensive, manner; interpreting its rules to impose requirements not contained therein; taking unreasonable if not irrational positions; and acting in an arbitrary and capricious manner in its decision-making and ruling.”

According to reports, Chambliss’ initial hearing for the injunction is expected to take place in Feb. 12 in Chancery Court of Lafayette County in Mississippi.

The Grand Rapids, Mich., product finished eighth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy. He intended to return to Ole Miss next season had his waiver been approved, with ESPN reporting that his NIL deal with incentives to be worth more than $6 million.

If he ultimately does not get the sixth year, Chambliss would enter the NFL draft.

He threw for 3,937 yards (third in the nation) on 66.1% passing last season, with 22 touchdown tosses and three interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Gunner Stockton, No. 3 Georgia return to playoff in rematch with No. 6 Ole Miss

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Ole Miss did just fine in its first rematch of a regular-season game in the College Football Playoff.

But the No. 6 Rebels find themselves in a much different situation in their CFP quarterfinal matchup with No. 3 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on Thursday night in New Orleans.

Ole Miss (12-1), which defeated Tulane 45-10 on Sept. 20, rolled past the No. 11 Green Wave 41-10 in a first-round game Dec. 20 in Oxford, Miss. But this time the Rebels are hoping the outcome changes as they have a second meeting with the Bulldogs (12-1).

Georgia outlasted Ole Miss 43-35 on Oct. 18 in Athens, Ga., but there have been significant developments in the nine-plus weeks since that game ended.

And some things the Rebels realize will need to change to flip the script in the sequel.

Pete Golding, who was promoted from defensive coordinator to Ole Miss head coach when Lane Kiffin departed to become head coach at LSU at the end of the regular season, said he remembers one thing most of all from the first meeting.

“They didn’t punt,” he said.

The Rebels had a 35-26 lead but were outscored 17-0 in the fourth quarter. They were outgained in the game 510-351.

“I think the biggest thing versus these guys is you’ve got to contest every play,” Golding said. “We can’t give them free things, whether it’s a lack of communication, whether it’s a missed tackle.”

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who passed for 263 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 42 yards and two touchdowns in the first meeting, is the engine for this group.

But Golding said the Rebels will have to run the ball better overall after having just 88 yards on the ground in the first meeting. Kewan Lacy, who has 1,366 rushing yards for the season and a school-record 21 rushing touchdowns, did score twice in the first meeting but had just 31 yards.

Lacy left the victory over Tulane in the third quarter after injuring a shoulder. Ole Miss is hopeful that he’ll be able to start Thursday.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart said the first game is meaningless in preparation for the rematch.

“I don’t think either team is exactly the same,” Smart said. “Both teams have evolved some. And everybody will have new wrinkles. That’s what you do during this time.”

Ole Miss has won its last six games. The Bulldogs have won nine in a row since a 24-21 home loss to Alabama on Sept. 27.

“We didn’t really get tested until the road game at Tennessee (a 44-41 win in the third game of the season),” Smart said. “And then as the season evolved and we’re playing high-level opponents, we were stopping the run pretty well, and we were running the ball pretty well.”

Georgia also has a dangerous dual-threat quarterback in Gunner Stockton, who completed 26 of 31 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns in addition to rushing for 59 yards and a touchdown in the first meeting.

Smart is pleased with the way his defense has evolved over the course of the season, and the scoreless fourth quarter against the Rebels appears to have been a turning point. The Bulldogs have allowed a total of just 70 points in the six games since beating Ole Miss.

Stockton’s first career start came 12 months ago in the Sugar Bowl, a loss to Notre Dame that fed the quarterback’s fire all offseason. He said upon arriving in New Orleans for the playoff matchup that he knows he doesn’t take losses well.

“I know he’s got a bad taste in his mouth about our first opportunity in the playoffs last year,” Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said of his quarterback. “I know it was his first start, but he wants to go out, like our whole football team, and play well in this game and give ourselves a chance to win a ball game.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 20, 2025; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (1) breaks the tackle attempt by Tulane Green Wave defensive back Isaiah Wadsworth (8) during the first half of a game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

No. 6 Ole Miss begins Pete Golding era with CFP rout of No. 11 Tulane

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Trinidad Chambliss threw for 282 yards and accounted for three touchdowns that combined with No. 6 Ole Miss’ strong defensive performance for a 41-10 victory over No. 11 Tulane under new coach Pete Golding in a College Football Playoff first-round game Saturday at Oxford, Miss.

Golding’s first game as head coach coincided with the Rebels’ first CFP game, and it was mostly a smooth day as the Southeastern Conference team rolled to its second victory this season against Tulane.

Chambliss threw for one touchdown and had rushing scores from 4 and 8 yards.

Ole Miss (12-1) heads to the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1 in New Orleans to face No. 3 Georgia in the quarterfinals. It will be a rematch of the Rebels’ only loss this season – by a 43-35 score on Oct. 18 on the Bulldogs’ home field.

Tulane (11-3) played under coach Jon Sumrall in his final game before he takes over at Florida. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff was 20-for-35 passing for 306 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Shazz Preston caught five passes for 125 yards.

Golding, who rose from defensive coordinator to head coach when Lane Kiffin bolted for LSU on Nov. 30, watched his defense keep Tulane out of the end zone until four minutes remained in the game.

Chambliss was 23-for-29 without an interception. Kewan Lacy rushed for 87 yards with a touchdown on 15 carries.

Lacy scored the game’s first touchdown on a 20-yard burst up the middle as the Rebels went 75 yards in three plays to score 59 seconds into the game.

Following Jaylon Braxton’s interception in the red zone, Ole Miss was quickly in the end zone again. The Rebels covered 60 yards in four plays as Chambliss ran 4 yards to make it 14-0 at the 7:26 mark of the first quarter.

Tulane opened the second-quarter scoring on Patrick Durkin’s 39-yard field goal. Ole Miss regained the 14-point edge on Lucas Carneiro’s 42-yard field goal, then a red-zone fumble in the final minute of the first half prevented the Rebels from further adding to the lead.

Ole Miss made it comfortable by scoring on its first two possessions of the second half. Chambliss threw 13 yards to De’Zhaun Stribling and Carneiro kicked a 48-yard field goal.

The final score wasn’t much different than the teams’ first meeting this season. The Rebels topped Tulane in a 45-10 romp on Sept. 20 in the same stadium.

–Field Level Media

Ole Miss promotes DC Pete Golding to replace Lane Kiffin as head coach

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Ole Miss has promoted defensive coordinator Pete Golding to permanent head coach, replacing Lane Kiffin, who left to become LSU’s head coach on Sunday.

The school announced the promotion Sunday afternoon shortly after the players were informed of Kiffin’s departure and Golding’s promotion and less than three weeks before the Rebels are expected to host a College Football Playoff game in Oxford, Miss. Dec. 19 or 20.

“We could not be more excited to announce Pete Golding as the next head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels. His tenure will begin immediately as he leads our program in the pursuit of a national title,” Ole Miss AD Keith Carter said in a statement. “Today’s team meeting was a clear indicator of his ability to galvanize our squad. All of our players and coaches are ecstatic and ready to lock arms for a playoff run.”

No. 7 Ole Miss set a program record with its 11th regular-season win Friday vs. Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl, 38-19. Kiffin, who had been reportedly considered a return to Ole Miss as well as job offers at Florida and LSU, informed LSU on Saturday he would be accepting its head coach position after six seasons leading the Rebels.

Golding, 41, will be a first-time head coach after a career coaching across the Southeast. He’s concluding his third season as Ole Miss defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach, spending the three prior seasons (2020-22) as Alabama defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach and five seasons total under Nick Saban.

The Hammond, La. native transformed Ole Miss’ defense during his time leading that side of the ball. His 2024 defense led the nation in sacks (52) and tackles for loss (120) and ranked second nationally in scoring defense (14.4 points per game).

This year’s defense ranks third in the Southeastern Conference and 20th nationally in passing defense (182.6 yards per game) and 25th in scoring defense (20.1 ppg).

“I would like to thank Keith Carter, Chancellor Boyce and the entire Ole Miss leadership team for placing their trust in me. Oxford is home, and it’s an incredible honor to lead one of the nation’s premier programs, and I can’t wait to get to work immediately and prepare this team to win a national championship,” Golding said in a statement.

“Ole Miss Football is special. Since the day I arrived, I’ve felt the passion, pride and unwavering support of Rebel Nation. This is a place where expectations are high, and football is woven into the fabric of the community. Our mission moving forward is clear: we will play with toughness, discipline and relentless effort in everything we do. We will recruit at the highest level, develop our players on and off the field, and compete every single day to bring championships to Oxford. Most importantly, we will represent this university with class and integrity.

“To the Ole Miss family, thank you for your support and belief. I’m excited for what’s ahead, and I can’t wait to attack this challenge together.”

Kiffin shared a statement on his X account, stating that he expressed his desire to coach Ole Miss through the remainder of the 2025 season, but that request was denied by Carter and the Ole Miss administration.

–Field Level Media

Lane Kiffin rumors surround No. 7 Ole Miss’ date with Florida

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If any team has a year-long score to settle this weekend on its home turf, it is Ole Miss.

Amid multiple rumors and storylines surrounding coach Lane Kiffin, the No. 7 Rebels (9-1, 5-1 SEC), who dropped one spot in Tuesday’s College Football Playoff rankings, will have two more tests before the regular season closes. The first test will come Saturday night when Ole Miss faces Florida in Oxford, Miss.

The Gators (3-6, 2-4) dealt the Rebels their third loss and dashed their hopes of making the playoff last November when they stunned then-No. 9 Ole Miss and quarterback Jaxson Dart 24-17 in Gainesville.

Then there are the rumors another school will poach Kiffin, which have proliferated on college football social media since Florida fired coach Billy Napier on Oct. 19. LSU then entered the Kiffin talk when coach Brian Kelly was shown the door one week after Napier.

“I don’t read all the stuff,” said Kiffin, in his sixth season at Ole Miss. “Somebody was just saying that today, one of our student assistants explained to me, the fans are going back and forth. And they said, ‘I think there’s a new rivalry, Ole Miss fans and Florida fans, and they should just put a steel cage somewhere and let them fight it out.’”

Kiffin loves his group of quarterbacks, featuring Austin Simmons and Trinidad Chambliss.

Simmons earned the starting nod but has played sparingly since getting hurt in September, while Chambliss — a transfer from Ferris State — has stepped in and blossomed.

Chambliss has passed for 2,356 yards and 13 touchdowns against two interceptions. He has rushed for 434 yards and six scores.

“Someone said this morning if you think about it, (since) the helmet player-to-coach communication has come around, our quarterbacks have thrown for more yards than anyone else in the country,” Kiffin said. “That’s obviously three really good quarterbacks — Jaxson last year and these two.”

The greatest intrigue on Florida’s side heading into game week was who would start at quarterback — benched starter DJ Lagway or freshman backup Tramell Jones Jr.

Billy Gonzales, 0-2 in his role as the team’s interim coach, removed all doubt Monday in Florida’s weekly press conference. It will be the Lagway, a preseason Heisman hopeful who has foundered against the schedule’s best competition.

“If a pitcher’s struggling in the major leagues, what do you do? You get the next guy in, right?” Gonzales said. “It doesn’t mean that he’s not a great pitcher. Just means that wasn’t his day. For some reason or another, it wasn’t breaking. For some reason or another, he didn’t have the day that he wanted to have.”

At Kentucky last Saturday night, Gonzales watched the Wildcats overwhelm Lagway, who produce an 11-for-19, 83-yard showing with one touchdown and three interceptions.

Kentucky embarrassed the visitors 38-7 in Florida’s biggest loss against an unranked team since 1970.

“I talked to (Lagway) about that,” Gonzales added. “I said, ‘So you’re a great player, but I’m not going to let somebody just continue to struggle. I wanted to bring you out and let you refocus, let you gather, let you learn, and hopefully it’s a learning experience.’”

Lagway, 20, has 1,762 passing yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this season.

–Field Level Media

No. 6 Ole Miss not focused on rankings ahead of Citadel matchup

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Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin said he wasn’t looking ahead to the first CFP rankings that were released Tuesday night.

The Rebels (8-1) landed at No. 6 as they prepare for a non-conference game against The Citadel (4-5) on Saturday afternoon in Oxford, Miss.

“I really hadn’t thought much about that,” Kiffin said of the rankings before they were released. “This isn’t coach speak. I really don’t, because it’s still so early and so much left to play.”

Ole Miss still has SEC games at home against Florida and at rival Mississippi State, plus a potential SEC Championship Game, before it will know its ultimate postseason fate.

But Kiffin did say he was curious about how the SEC — which has nine teams in the Top 25, including six in the top 12 — would fare in the initial CFP rankings.

The SEC is expanding from eight conference games to nine next season, partly, Kiffin said, because of the expectation that strength of schedule will become a bigger part of the CFP equation.

“I’d look less about where we are and more of (the SEC as a whole),” Kiffin said, “just to see, OK, are they actually going to pay as much attention that we were told they are going to now?”

The expanded league schedule will leave one fewer opportunity to schedule a non-SEC opponent such as The Citadel. Kiffin said the most important thing for Ole Miss as it enters the final third of the regular season is to continue to get better for the stretch run.

The Rebels have beaten Oklahoma and South Carolina since suffering their loss at Georgia.

“We’ve got a big challenge to get better this week,” Kiffin said. “I thought we’ve gotten better in some areas the last couple weeks. We’ve talked about focusing on ourselves. We’ve got a lot to work on.”

Citadel head coach Maurice Drayton said the Bulldogs, like the Rebels, are focused more on themselves than their opponent even though their opponent is an FBS powerhouse.

“We’re coming off back-to-back weeks of preparing for rivalry games with Furman and VMI,” Drayton said, “and I realize I have to do a better job of communicating with the players.”

The Citadel ended a two-game losing streak when it defeated VMI 35-24 last Saturday, but it was a struggle against a team that entered the game with a 1-7 record.

The Bulldogs fell behind 21-0 early in the third quarter, scored a touchdown before the end of the period, then reeled off 28 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, though it couldn’t relax until the final touchdown with 12 seconds left.

“I learned a valuable lesson, that you have to stick with your process,” Drayton said. “The focus has to remain on our process no matter who we are playing.

“We have yet to play a complete game this season, and that’s our goal every week. We want our guys to compete against that guy in the mirror. If he can be the best version of himself, then we’re going to be fine.”

–Field Level Media

Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) tries to pass as Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) chases after him during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Ole Miss Rebels at Gaylord Family Ð Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. Ole Miss won 34-26.

No. 7 Ole Miss braces for ‘dangerous’ South Carolina

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On paper, Saturday night’s visit from South Carolina in Oxford, Miss., should be a routine win for No. 7 Ole Miss.

After a 34-26 victory last week at then-No. 13 Oklahoma, the Rebels are 7-1 overall, 4-1 in the Southeastern Conference and in good shape to make the College Football Playoff as long as they handle business in the last four games of the regular season.

But Rebels coach Lane Kiffin probably isn’t the guy you want to inform that his team started the week as a 12 1/2-point favorite against the Gamecocks (3-5, 1-5).

“Very, very talented and dangerous team that we’re playing, and one that had Alabama beat all the way until the end of the game,” Kiffin said. “You see every week around the country but especially in this conference, how hard the games are.”

South Carolina could have entered this game off a season-saving triumph over No. 4 Alabama last week. Instead, the Gamecocks gave up a 22-14 lead within the final 2 1/2 minutes and lost 29-22, their third straight defeat and one that puts the team’s hopes of even a minor bowl bid in jeopardy.

With a trip to No. 3 Texas A&M on the docket after a bye week, the Gamecocks must figure out a way to beat a Top 10 team on the road, or a season that started with them ranked 13th will end after their Nov. 29 rivalry game with Clemson.

South Carolina coach Shane Beamer lamented that his team played well but still came up short against Alabama. His big concern entering the contest was not allowing the disappointment of that result to color the Gamecocks’ preparation for this week.

“Not preparing the right way can guarantee you have no chance,” he said. “We’re gonna continue to pour into them and continue to coach.”

A lack of offense has been the Gamecocks’ biggest issue. They’ve averaged only 16.8 points in SEC games, managing 10 or less three times. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers has thrown just six touchdown passes a year after tossing 18, and no Gamecock has rushed for 300 yards this season, putting more pressure on Sellers.

On the other sideline, Ole Miss has constructed another explosive offense, as Kiffin has gotten excellent work from quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. He threw for 315 yards and the go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter at Oklahoma.

The transfer from Division II Ferris State has thrown only one interception in 210 passes and has 2,160 yards of total offense since Week 3. He’s the first Rebel QB since Eli Manning in 2001 to collect at least 250 yards passing in each of his first six starts.

“We find ways to win all season,” Chambliss said. “We’ve had a pretty good season so far.”

Ole Miss has gotten a good year from Missouri transfer Kewan Lacy, who’s rushed for 696 yards and 12 touchdowns. Five receivers have caught between 19 and 26 passes, with Harrison Wallace III averaging 17.8 yards per catch and Cayden Lee and Dae’Quan Wright each averaging 18.4.

–Field Level Media

Oct 25, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Ole Miss Rebels running back Kewan Lacy (5) runs past Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kip Lewis (10) and scores a touchdown during the second quarter at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

No. 8 Ole Miss wins as comeback effort by No. 13 Oklahoma falls short

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Trinidad Chambliss threw for 315 yards and a touchdown and Kewan Lacy ran for 78 yards and two touchdowns to lead No. 8 Ole Miss to a 34-26 win over No. 13 Oklahoma on Saturday in Norman, Okla.

The Rebels (7-1, 4-1 Southeastern Conference) let a 12-point halftime lead slip away in the second half before bouncing back to regain control.

After Oklahoma took a 26-25 lead late in the third quarter, Chambliss directed an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive capped by his 8-yard touchdown pass to Trace Bruckler with 11:33 remaining.

The Sooners had a chance late, holding the Rebels to a field goal after a fumbled punt return gave the Rebels a short field.

Oklahoma drove to the Ole Miss 30 but couldn’t get any closer, as John Mateer threw consecutive incomplete passes on third and fourth downs after the two-minute timeout to give the ball back to the Rebels.

The Sooners’ defense forced a punt, getting the ball back with 1:05 remaining.

Oklahoma managed two first downs to move into Ole Miss territory, but Mateer’s last-second heave was batted down near the goal line to end the game.

The Rebels led 25-13 with less than six minutes remaining in the third before the Sooners came alive.

Oklahoma (6-2, 2-2) had just 12 rushing yards against an Ole Miss defense that had struggled to defend the run, before Xavier Robinson’s 65-yard touchdown put the Sooners back in the game.

After Oklahoma’s defense forced a quick three-and-out, the Sooners kept the offense moving on the ground.

On third-and-7, Robinson broke free for a 9-yard touchdown to put Oklahoma ahead for the first time.

The lead, though, was short-lived, as Chambliss directed what proved to be the game-winning drive, highlighted by a 40-yard completion to Winston Watkins and a 10-yard run on third-and-8 by Chambliss a few plays later to set up the go-ahead touchdown.

Mateer finished 17-of-31 passing for 223 yards and a touchdown.

Robinson ran for 109 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries.

Watkins had four catches for 111 yards for the Rebels.

–Field Level Media

Oct 18, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs tight end Lawson Luckie (7) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Mississippi Rebels during the first quarter of the game at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Lawson Luckie hauls in 3 TDs, No. 9 Georgia upsets No. 5 Ole Miss

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ATHENS — Gunner Stockton completed 26 of 31 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns as No. 9 Georgia posted a 43-35 victory over visiting No. 5 Ole Miss on Saturday in Southeastern Conference play.

Stockton also ran for 59 yards and a score, while Lawson Luckie hauled in three touchdowns receptions for Georgia (6-1, 4-1 SEC), which outgained Ole Miss 510-351.

Ole Miss (6-1, 3-1) was paced by Trinidad Chambliss. He threw for 263 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 42 yards and two touchdowns.

After leading by a point at halftime, Ole Miss tacked on with Chambliss’s 75-yard pass to De’Zhaun Stribling on the second play from scrimmage in the third quarter.

Stockton then hit Luckie for a 3-yard score, before Georgia’s two-point conversion came up short, as the Bulldogs cut their deficit to 28-26 with 10:02 left in the third.

Chambliss continued the offensive barrage with a 2-yard rushing score, but Stockton responded with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Nate Frazier, cutting Georgia’s deficit to 35-33 with 12:56 left in the fourth.

After a punt by Ole Miss, Stockton hit Luckie for the duo’s third touchdown connection of the game, giving Georgia a 40-35 lead with 7:29 left.

Following Ole Miss’s second straight punt, Peyton Woodring added on with a 42-yard field goal, giving Georgia an eight-point lead at the 2:06 mark.

Georgia forced a turnover on downs on the Rebels’ final possession to secure the massive conference win.

After Woodring’s 51-yard field goal began the scoring, Chambliss’s 7-yard touchdown run gave Ole Miss a 7-3 lead with 5:47 left in the opening quarter.

Stockton then led Georgia to a 13-play, 75-yard drive, stamped with his 11-yard touchdown pass to Luckie on the first play of the second quarter.

Kewan Lacy’s 1-yard touchdown rush gave Ole Miss a 14-10 edge before Stockton’s 22-yard scamper helped Georgia retake the lead with 7:13 left in the first half.

Lacy’s second score gave Ole Miss a 21-17 lead, before Woodring’s 35-yard field goal as time expired cut the Bulldogs’ halftime deficit to 21-20.

–Field Level Media

Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy (5) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. Ole Miss defeated LSU 24-19.

Oregon, Ole Miss rewarded for Top-4 wins with Top-4 rankings

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Oregon and Ole Miss parlayed Top-4 victories into Top-4 rankings in the latest AP Top 25 poll, released Sunday afternoon.

Oregon supplanted Miami at No. 2 just behind top-ranked Ohio State – a 24-6 winner over Washington – while Miami is now third, and Ole Miss is fourth.

The Ducks defeated previous No. 3 Penn State in Happy Valley 30-24 in overtime on Saturday to get to 5-0 this year. The Rebels likewise stayed undefeated (5-0), upending previous No. 4 LSU, 24-19.

No. 4 is Ole Miss’ highest ranking since 2015.

Penn State fell to seventh, while the Tigers are now 13th.

Texas A&M climbed to sixth after its 16-10 win over Auburn, while Indiana moved up to eighth after defeating Iowa 20-15.

Oklahoma rose to fifth and Texas rose to ninth during bye weeks.

Georgia’s 24-21 loss to Alabama knocked the Bulldogs down to 12th, two spots below the aforementioned Crimson Tide, and their lowest ranking since 2020.

Florida State, despite its dominant Week 1 win over Alabama, was the week’s biggest dropper after its 46-38 overtime loss to Virginia. The Seminoles are now 18th after dropping 10 spots, while Virginia made its first poll debut in six years at No. 24.

Arizona State also reentered the poll at No. 25 after beating TCU Friday night.

TCU and Southern Cal fell out of the rankings.

The full top 25 is as follows:
1. Ohio State (4-0)
2. Oregon (5-0)
3. Miami (4-0)
4. Ole Miss (5-0)
5. Oklahoma (4-0)
6. Texas A&M (4-0)
7. Penn State (3-1)
8. Indiana (5-0)
9. Texas (3-1)
10. Alabama (3-1)
11. Texas Tech (5-0)
12. Georgia (3-1)
13. LSU (4-1)
14. Iowa State (5-0)
15. Tennessee (4-1)
16. Vanderbilt (5-0)
17. Georgia Tech (5-0)
18. Florida State (3-1)
19. Missouri (5-0)
20. Michigan (3-1)
21. Notre Dame (2-2)
22. Illinois (4-1)
23. BYU (4-0)
24. Virginia (4-1)
25. Arizona State (4-1)

–Field Level Media