Trinidad Chambliss and the Mississippi Rebels passed their first significant challenge without former head coach Lane Kiffin, defeating the Tulane Green Wave 41-10 in the opening round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday. Chambliss contributed significantly, throwing for 282 yards and scoring a touchdown while also rushing for two more.
The Rebels established an early lead, scoring two touchdowns within the first eight minutes of the game—one on a 20-yard run by Kewan Lacy and another on a 4-yard plunge by Chambliss. The team, now 12-1, was led by interim coach Pete Golding, who stepped up from his role as defensive coordinator after Kiffin”s departure to LSU on November 30.
Next, Golding and the Rebels will face off against the second-ranked Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl on January 1. Despite Tulane”s efforts, which included a strong performance from quarterback Jake Retzlaff, who amassed 306 passing yards, the Rebels maintained control for the duration of the game. Mississippi had previously defeated Tulane 45-10 on September 20, showcasing their dominance once more in this playoff matchup.
The Rebels” defense played a crucial role, highlighted by an early interception from cornerback Jaylon Braxton and multiple crucial fourth-down stops. The Green Wave struggled to find rhythm, unable to recover from a poor start on defense that saw Ole Miss score two touchdowns in their first seven plays.
In the stands at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, fans displayed artwork that humorously criticized Kiffin while supporting Golding, who received a warm welcome during pre-game warm-ups. Celebrated former Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning was also present to support Golding on the sidelines.
As the game progressed, Lacy rushed for 87 yards before leaving with a shoulder injury, while De”Zhaun Stribling caught five passes for 79 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown reception. LSU transfer Logan Diggs added a 3-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, further solidifying the Rebels” lead.
For Tulane, Jamauri McClure led the ground game with 84 yards on 15 carries. The loss marked a disappointing moment for non-power conference teams in the CFP, as they have struggled with a record of 0-3 in playoff games.
As the Rebels move forward in the tournament, they will focus on maintaining their explosive offense, which managed 497 total offensive yards against Tulane, including several significant plays of 25 yards or more. With a new coach at the helm, Mississippi has demonstrated resilience and determination as they aim for a national title.
