In a College Football Playoff quarterfinal that will be remembered for its sheer drama and unexpected twists, the Ole Miss Rebels edged out the Georgia Bulldogs 39-34 in the Sugar Bowl on January 1, 2026, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The Rebels, playing without their former head coach Lane Kiffin who recently departed for LSU, showcased resilience and clutch playmaking to advance in the playoffs amid a backdrop of off-field controversy.
Score Summary
Final Score: Ole Miss Rebels 39, Georgia Bulldogs 34
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown:
1st Quarter: Ole Miss 7, Georgia 10
2nd Quarter: Ole Miss 17 (total 24), Georgia 7 (total 17)
3rd Quarter: Ole Miss 0 (total 24), Georgia 7 (total 24)
4th Quarter: Ole Miss 15 (total 39), Georgia 10 (total 34)
The game featured five lead changes, with Ole Miss pulling ahead for good in the final moments. Key scoring plays included touchdown passes, a rushing score, and field goals, culminating in a bizarre safety on Georgia’s desperate kickoff return attempt.
Turning Points
The contest was a rollercoaster, defined by momentum swings and high-stakes decisions:
Early Georgia Dominance: The Bulldogs jumped out to a 10-7 lead in the first quarter, capitalizing on a Nate Frazier rushing touchdown before his injury sidelined him, limiting Georgia’s ground attack.
Ole Miss Second-Quarter Surge: The Rebels exploded for 17 points, including a 40-yard touchdown bomb from quarterback Trinidad Chambliss to wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling, building a 24-17 halftime edge.
Georgia’s Fake Punt Gamble: Trailing 24-21 in the third, Georgia executed a bold fake punt on fourth-and-5 from their own 30, converting for a first down and setting up a field goal to tie it at 24-24 heading into the fourth.
Fourth-Quarter Fireworks: Ole Miss reclaimed control with a 13-yard TD pass from Chambliss to Harrison Wallace and a 5-yard Kewan Lacy rushing score plus a two-point conversion, pushing the lead to 34-24. Georgia fought back with Gunner Stockton’s 18-yard TD to Zachariah Branch, tying it at 34-34 with under a minute left.
Clutch Finish: Chambliss orchestrated a rapid drive, setting up Lucas Carneiro’s 47-yard field goal to take a 37-34 lead as time nearly expired. On the ensuing kickoff, Georgia’s lateral attempt backfired into a safety in their end zone, sealing the 39-34 final.
These moments highlighted the game’s intensity, with defensive stands and offensive heroics keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
Standout Performances
Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss QB): The star of the show, throwing for 362 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. His poise under pressure, especially on the game-winning drive, solidified his status as a potential Heisman contender and sparked rumors of a transfer to follow Kiffin to LSU.
De’Zhaun Stribling and Harrison Wallace (Ole Miss WRs): Stribling hauled in the long bomb for a score, while Wallace’s TD grab in the fourth was pivotal. Together, they combined for over 200 receiving yards.
Kewan Lacy (Ole Miss RB): Stepped up with 112 rushing yards and a touchdown, providing balance against Georgia’s stout front.
Gunner Stockton (Georgia QB): In relief duty, he threw for 285 yards and two TDs, including the late equalizer to Branch, but couldn’t overcome the final mishap.
Zachariah Branch (Georgia WR): A bright spot with 8 catches for 132 yards and a TD, showcasing speed that kept the Bulldogs in contention.
Ole Miss Defense: The “Landshark” unit forced two turnovers and held Georgia to under 100 rushing yards post-Frazier’s injury, proving crucial in the win under interim coach Pete Golding.
What the Result Means for Playoff Chances
This upset victory propels Ole Miss (now 12-2) into the College Football Playoff semifinals, where they’ll face the Miami Hurricanes in the Fiesta Bowl on January 8, 2026. It’s a massive boost for the Rebels, validating their program amid Kiffin’s abrupt exit and ongoing tampering allegations. A win there could set up a national championship berth, potentially against powerhouses like Ohio State or Texas, and positions Ole Miss as a legitimate title contender despite the coaching transition. The result also highlights the Rebels’ depth, with aggressive recruiting flips from LSU (like Harlem Berry) signaling sustained success in Oxford.
For Georgia (11-3), the loss ends their season in heartbreaking fashion, eliminating them from playoff contention. It raises questions about their depth, especially with injuries, and could impact recruiting as the SEC landscape shifts. The Bulldogs, perennial contenders, will look to rebound in 2026, but this defeat stings as a missed opportunity in a winnable matchup.
Hotty Toddy echoes louder than ever—Ole Miss has turned chaos into triumph, keeping their championship dreams alive.
