The world of college football got flipped upside down on New Year’s Day. The Ole Miss Rebels, led by a former Division II quarterback and a new head coach, pulled off one of the wildest upsets in recent memory.
The Rebels were underdogs, but they managed to defeat the Georgia Bulldogs 39-34. That game—honestly, it was chaos in the best way—has already been called one of the wildest College Football Playoff wins ever.
With that win, Ole Miss advances to the College Football Playoff semifinal. They’ll face Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.
For a team that hasn’t sniffed a national championship in over six decades, this is just plain remarkable.
The Unlikely Heroes of Ole Miss
The real story here? The players who somehow pulled off this historic win. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, a former Division II guy, threw for 362 yards and two touchdowns.
Chambliss’ performance was something else, especially considering where he started. From relative obscurity to the national spotlight—it’s hard not to root for that.
Trinidad Chambliss: From Division II to Stardom
Chambliss’ story is all about grit and refusing to quit. His final heave—a 40-yard toss to De’Zhaun Stribling—set up the game-winning 47-yard field goal.
That play is going to stick in college football lore for a long time.
Lucas Carneiro: The Big-Legged Kicker
Transfer kicker Lucas Carneiro was clutch, nailing field goals from 57 and 55 yards. He also hit the game-winner.
Carneiro’s leg strength and nerves kept Ole Miss in it, and then finished the job.
Offensive Standouts
Receiver Harrison Wallace caught nine passes for 156 yards. He made big plays when it mattered most.
Running back Kewan Lacy, even though he was banged up, rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. These guys stepped up against a tough Georgia defense.
Defensive Heroes
Sure, the offense got most of the attention, but Ole Miss’s defense was huge. Linebacker Suntarine Perkins’ sack on a crucial fourth down put Ole Miss in a spot to take a two-score lead.
Defensive tackle Zxavian Harris led the Rebels in tackles and broke up a key pass. That defense really came through.
Suntarine Perkins: The Game-Changer
Perkins’ sack on Georgia’s quarterback Gunner Stockton totally shifted the momentum. That play killed a critical Georgia drive and set up a touchdown to extend the lead.
Zxavian Harris: The Defensive Anchor
Harris was everywhere, leading the team in tackles and disrupting Georgia’s offense. He was a force all night.
The Coaching Carousel
All this happened while Ole Miss was in the middle of a coaching shakeup. Former head coach Lane Kiffin is now at LSU, and a bunch of assistants are following him.
Still, the team somehow stayed focused. That’s not easy with so much chaos off the field.
Lane Kiffin’s Departure
Kiffin leaving was a big deal. But honestly, it seemed to pull the team together.
The players and remaining staff showed a ton of resilience. They proved they could keep it together, even with everything changing around them.
Pete Golding: The New Leader
New head coach Pete Golding didn’t waste any time making an impact. He guided the team through all the drama and led them to this improbable win.
His leadership has been a huge factor in keeping everyone locked in.
The Road Ahead
Now, Ole Miss is just one win from playing for a national championship. Next up? Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.
Facing Miami
Miami, the 10th seed, is no joke. But if Ole Miss can play like they did against Georgia, who knows?
The Legacy of This Season
No matter how things end, this season’s already carved out its place in Ole Miss history. It’s been wild—maybe even a little unbelievable at times.
The players have poured their hearts into every game. Coaches and fans? They’ve been right there, pushing the story forward in ways nobody really saw coming.
If you’re curious about the details from that game, check out the full article on Yahoo Sports.
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