Ole Miss Delivers Sugar Bowl Magic and Punches Ticket to College Football Playoff Semifinal

A last-second safety, record-breaking kicks, and a fearless comeback propel the Rebels past Georgia and into the national spotlight
Ole Miss Delivers Sugar Bowl Magic and Punches Ticket to College Football Playoff Semifinal
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Ole Miss fans may want to bookmark this Sugar Bowl for eternity.

In a game that refused to settle down until the final heartbeat, the Rebels stunned No. 3 Georgia 39–34 on Thursday night, sealing a College Football Playoff semifinal berth in one of the most dramatic finishes the Sugar Bowl has ever seen. While former head coach Lane Kiffin spent the evening 80 miles away in Baton Rouge, Ole Miss wrote its own unforgettable chapter under interim head coach Pete Golding — and did it in thrilling style.

The Rebels, now 13–1, are headed to the Fiesta Bowl on January 8 in Glendale, Arizona, where they’ll face No. 10 Miami with a spot in the national championship on the line.

A Finish for the Ages

Ole Miss’ victory came courtesy of a wild final sequence that had fans, officials, and broadcasters scrambling. After Lucas Carneiro drilled a clutch 47-yard field goal with just six seconds remaining — his third long-distance make of the night — Georgia’s desperation kickoff attempt ended in chaos. A cross-field lateral by the Bulldogs hit the pylon, resulting in a safety that pushed the final score to 39–34.

Even then, the drama wasn’t finished. Officials briefly put one second back on the clock after a trophy stage had already been rolled onto the field. Georgia got one last snap, lateraled the ball repeatedly, and came up empty — finally sending Ole Miss into full celebration mode.

Rebels Rise Without Missing a Beat

Ole Miss showed remarkable poise after trailing late, answering Georgia’s rally with a game-winning drive led by quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. Chambliss delivered a fearless performance, throwing for 362 yards and two touchdowns, including a critical 40-yard strike to De’Zhaun Stribling that set up Carneiro’s deciding kick.

Carneiro etched his name into Sugar Bowl history earlier in the night with booming field goals of 55 and 56 yards, then sprinted toward the Ole Miss sideline as teammates poured onto the field in disbelief and joy.

A New Chapter After a Complicated Split

The win came weeks after Lane Kiffin’s high-profile departure to LSU, a move that stirred emotion across Oxford. While Kiffin was rumored to attend the Sugar Bowl, he instead remained in Baton Rouge, appearing at an LSU women’s basketball game where he was warmly welcomed by Tiger fans.

Despite the tension, Kiffin acknowledged his former quarterback in his own understated way on social media, posting a Trinidad and Tobago flag in a nod to Chambliss. Ole Miss fans, however, made it clear the program has moved forward — and confidently so.

Sugar Bowl Drama That Delivered

Following two lopsided CFP quarterfinals elsewhere, the Sugar Bowl delivered the chaos, tension, and last-second heroics fans crave. Georgia fought back from a late deficit to tie the game with under a minute remaining, but Ole Miss answered when it mattered most.

From record-breaking kicks to last-play confusion and a heart-stopping finish, the Rebels proved they belong on college football’s biggest stage.

Ole Miss didn’t just survive the Sugar Bowl — it owned it. And now, with momentum, belief, and history on their side, the Rebels are heading west with their championship dreams very much alive.

January 2, 2026

Juliana A. - Jan 1, 2026