In a wild college football showdown, the Ole Miss Rebels managed to fend off a late surge from the Oklahoma Sooners, snagging a 34-26 victory at Owen Field. The game was a real showcase of both teams’ resilience and strategic guts—Ole Miss flexed their defensive muscle, while Oklahoma kept pushing with their offense.
Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin had talked up the Sooners’ defense before kickoff. But, in the end, it was the Rebels’ defense that tipped the scales. Oklahoma made a fierce third-quarter push, yet Ole Miss held steady and finished the job.
The Rebels’ offense, with Kewan Lacy and Trinidad Chambliss leading the charge, was firing on all cylinders. Their performance balanced out the strong work by the defense.
Game Overview: Ole Miss Edges Out Oklahoma
First Half: Early Momentum for Ole Miss
Things got rolling with Ole Miss jumping out to an early lead, thanks to a 28-yard touchdown run by Kewan Lacy. The Sooners answered with a 42-yard field goal, but Ole Miss kept their foot on the gas.
Lacy punched in another touchdown, and the Rebels’ offense just wouldn’t let up. By halftime, they’d built a pretty solid cushion.
Key Plays and Turning Points
Some moments really set the tone early on:
- Ole Miss’ Early Dominance: The Rebels put together a sharp 47-yard drive in eight plays, capping it with a 45-yard field goal to open things up.
- Trinidad Chambliss’ Versatility: Chambliss made plays all over, throwing for 315 yards and picking up 55 more on the ground.
- Defensive Resilience: Whenever Oklahoma started to get rolling, the Rebels’ defense dug in, forcing punts and turnovers.
Second Half: Oklahoma’s Fierce Comeback
The second half got interesting fast as the Sooners found some fire. Quarterback John Mateer took the reins, and a 65-yard touchdown run by Xavier Robinson gave Oklahoma a serious spark.
Suddenly, Oklahoma’s offense started clicking, and the game turned into a real slugfest.
Oklahoma’s Offensive Surge
Here’s what stood out after halftime:
- Xavier Robinson’s Breakout Performance: Robinson’s 65-yard touchdown run was a huge momentum swing for the Sooners.
- John Mateer’s Leadership: Mateer finished with 223 passing yards and a touchdown, keeping Oklahoma’s offense in the hunt.
- Defensive Stops: Oklahoma’s defense stepped up, forcing some crucial punts and turnovers to keep things tight.
Final Moments: Ole Miss Holds On
Oklahoma kept pushing right up to the end, but Ole Miss hung on. A key defensive stop on a Hail Mary attempt from Mateer sealed it for the Rebels.
Player Performances: Stars of the Game
Several guys really made their mark:
- Kewan Lacy: Put up 78 rushing yards and two touchdowns, always a threat for Ole Miss.
- Trinidad Chambliss: Threw for 315 yards and added 55 on the ground, showing off his all-around skills.
- Xavier Robinson: Ran for 109 yards and a touchdown on just nine carries, sparking the Sooners’ comeback.
- John Mateer: Went 17-for-31 for 223 yards and a touchdown, steering Oklahoma’s offense.
Strategic Decisions: Coaching Impact
Coaching was a big part of the story. Lane Kiffin’s defensive focus paid off, while Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle made some gutsy calls in the second half that almost flipped the script.
Key Coaching Decisions
Some of the more interesting moves:
- Ole Miss’ Defensive Focus: Kiffin really leaned on his defense, and their ability to weather Oklahoma’s third-quarter run was huge.
- Oklahoma’s Offensive Adjustments: Arbuckle’s tweaks, especially letting Robinson loose in the run game, gave the Sooners new life.
- Critical Fourth Down Calls: Both sides went for it on fourth down a few times. Ole Miss converted when it mattered, while Oklahoma’s misses hurt.
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Challenges
With this win, Ole Miss moves to 7-1. Oklahoma drops to 6-2. Both teams have some big games coming up that’ll shape the rest of their seasons.
Future Opponents
Next, Ole Miss gets South Carolina at home—a matchup that looks manageable, at least on paper. Oklahoma’s got a tougher road trip ahead, heading to Knoxville to face Tennessee, which could be a real test for their SEC hopes.
Oklahoma vs. Ole Miss: A Game for the Books
The Oklahoma vs. Ole Miss matchup was wild from the start. It really showed off what makes college football so addictive.
Standout plays kept popping up, and you could feel the pressure on coaches to make the right calls. The energy just didn’t let up.
If you want a closer look at how it all unfolded, including live updates and highlights, check out the Oklahoman’s comprehensive coverage.
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