In a thrilling first-round matchup of the College Football Playoff, Ole Miss took on Tulane at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford. This game marked the beginning of a new era for the Rebels under their new head coach, Pete Golding.
Tulane, led by Jon Sumrall, aimed to make a statement before Sumrall’s departure to Florida. The game turned into a showcase of Ole Miss’ dominance, as they overwhelmed Tulane with a final score of 41-10.
This win secured their spot in the Sugar Bowl against Georgia on New Year’s Day. Not a bad way to kick off a new chapter, right?
Game Overview
There was a buzz in the air as Ole Miss, favored by 17 points according to BetMGM, received the opening kickoff. The Rebels wasted no time, scoring a touchdown just 59 seconds into the game.
That opening drive set the tone for a dominant performance. Ole Miss’ offense looked sharp and confident from the start.
First Half Highlights
Ole Miss started strong with a 20-yard touchdown run by Kewan Lacy, grabbing an early 7-0 lead. Tulane tried to answer, but Jake Retzlaff threw an interception, giving Ole Miss a golden opportunity.
The Rebels capitalized with another touchdown, this time a rushing score by quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. By the end of the first quarter, Ole Miss was up 14-0 and feeling good.
In the second quarter, Tulane managed to get on the board with a 39-yard field goal from Patrick Durkin. That trimmed the lead to 14-3, but Ole Miss answered right back with a 42-yard field goal from Lucas Carneiro.
At halftime, it was 17-3. Ole Miss had already piled up 264 yards, with Chambliss accounting for 167 of them through the air.
Second Half Dominance
The second half kicked off with Tulane getting the ball, but their drive fizzled out and they had to punt. Ole Miss wasted no time, marching down the field for a 13-yard touchdown pass from Chambliss to De’Zhaun Stribling.
That made it 24-3. The Rebels didn’t let up, with Chambliss adding another rushing touchdown and Logan Diggs punching in a 3-yard score to stretch it to 35-3.
Tulane finally found the end zone late, a 29-yard pass from Retzlaff to Justyn Reid. But by then, the outcome was already decided.
The final score, 41-10, pretty much said it all. Ole Miss controlled the game from start to finish.
Key Performances
Several players stood out for Ole Miss, making this win a true team effort:
- Trinidad Chambliss: The quarterback threw for 239 yards and a touchdown, and also rushed for two scores. Pretty impressive, honestly.
- Kewan Lacy: Even after an injury scare, Lacy broke off a 20-yard touchdown run and made a real impact.
- Logan Diggs: Added a rushing touchdown, showing the Rebels have plenty of options in the backfield.
- De’Zhaun Stribling: Caught a 13-yard touchdown pass, reminding everyone Ole Miss can hurt you through the air too.
- Jaylon Braxton: Pulled in a crucial interception early, setting the tone for the Rebels’ defense.
Coaching Impact
This game was a big moment for Pete Golding, who stepped in as head coach after Lane Kiffin left for LSU. Golding’s debut couldn’t have gone much better, honestly.
His decisions and the energy he brought were obvious from the sidelines. Ole Miss looked fired up and well-prepared.
On the Tulane side, Jon Sumrall’s time with the Green Wave is winding down as he heads to Florida. Even though the result wasn’t what Tulane hoped for, Sumrall’s impact on the program can’t be ignored.
Looking Ahead
Now, Ole Miss advances to the Sugar Bowl to face Georgia on New Year’s Day. That one’s shaping up to be a real clash between two heavyweights.
For Tulane, it’s time to regroup and start thinking about the future. They’ll be looking for new leadership and a fresh start next season.
Conclusion
Ole Miss absolutely steamrolled Tulane in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Their talent was obvious all game, and you could see the effects of Pete Golding’s leadership right away.
The Rebels put on a show on both sides of the ball. They walked away with a 41-10 win and punched their ticket to the Sugar Bowl.
Want more details or a play-by-play recap? Check out On3’s live updates.
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