Ole Miss Stuns Georgia in Sugar Bowl Comeback, Advances to CFP Semifinals

Thrilling Comeback Victory in New Orleans Superdome

It feels even better to win because the Ole Miss team has been through a lot lately. On November 30, 2025, head coach Lane Kiffin shocked the college football world by leaving to become the head coach at rival LSU. This was a little more than a month ago. A lot of people were worried that the Rebels would fall apart without him, especially since this was their first deep playoff run.

The team has stayed focused and tough, though, since Pete Golding, the former defensive coordinator, became head coach. They've won two playoff games in a row, which proves that the doubters were wrong.

Chambliss Shines with Clutch Plays and Escapes

He kept drives going by getting out of trouble and turning possible sacks into big gains. One drive stood out: Ole Miss was trying to score, and Chambliss avoided defenders several times before throwing to receivers down the field. Kewan Lacy, a running back, scored his second touchdown of the night to end it.

Carneiro ran to the side of the field to celebrate with his teammates. After Chambliss threw a 40-yard pass to wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling on third down, the field flipped and the perfect situation for the kick was set up.

Harrison Wallace III caught nine passes for 156 yards and a touchdown. Stribling caught seven passes for 122 yards. Lacy ran for 98 yards and scored two times. The Bulldogs lost in four quarters because their attack was balanced.

But Georgia didn't give up without a fight. Gunner Stockton, their quarterback, threw for 203 yards and a touchdown and ran for two more. He made a lot of tough plays when things got tough, like throwing passes just before getting hit hard.

At the half, the Bulldogs were ahead 21-12. After a Rebels fumble and some clever trick plays, like a fake punt that kept a drive going, they got there with a scoop-and-score touchdown.

Fourth Quarter Shootout and Chaotic Ending

In the third quarter, Ole Miss made some progress. Chambliss threw a huge fourth-down conversion to Wallace, which set up another touchdown run by Lacy. Georgia fought back, but the fourth quarter turned into a shootout.

Georgia tied it up late with a touchdown pass and a short field goal, even though Ole Miss was ahead. Then the Rebels marched down the field for Carneiro's great play.

At the end, things got out of hand. After the field goal, Georgia tried a risky lateral on the kickoff return, but it didn't work, and Ole Miss got a safety with just one second left.

There was even a time when confetti fell from the sky and the trophy stage came out too soon. What a way to celebrate too soon! The officials figured it out, and the Rebels won in the end.

After the game, Chambliss talked about proving people wrong. Right now, that's what's going on. He's right: this team looks like they're having fun, even though there's a lot of drama off the field.

Pete Golding's Calm Leadership and Team Resilience

In the third quarter, Ole Miss made some progress. Chambliss threw a huge fourth-down conversion to Wallace, which set up another touchdown run by Lacy. Georgia fought back, but the fourth quarter turned into a shootout.

Georgia tied it up late with a touchdown pass and a short field goal, even though Ole Miss was ahead. Then the Rebels marched down the field for Carneiro's great play.

At the end, things got out of hand. After the field goal, Georgia tried a risky lateral on the kickoff return, but it didn't work, and Ole Miss got a safety with just one second left.

There was even a time when confetti fell from the sky and the trophy stage came out too soon. What a way to celebrate too soon! The officials figured it out, and the Rebels won in the end.

After the game, Chambliss talked about proving people wrong. Right now, that's what's going on. He's right: this team looks like they're having fun, even though there's a lot of drama off the field.

Ole Miss Advances to Face Miami in Fiesta Bowl Semifinal

Getting to the semifinals without its longtime coach shows how good Kiffin recruited and how strong Golding has made the team. This is especially impressive since the program has had its ups and downs.

The Rebels will play Miami, which is ranked 10th, in the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona, on January 8. The Hurricanes won an upset earlier in the playoffs, so this game will be hard again.

But after what happened on Thursday night, Ole Miss has the heart, the playmakers, and the momentum to keep going.

College football fans saw one of the best games of the year. There was a lot of back-and-forth action, some clutch plays, and a finish that got everyone talking.

Chambliss dodging sacks like a video game character, Carneiro kicking the ball through the uprights, and a team overcoming problems—this is the kind of story that makes this sport so fun to watch. Ole Miss is proving that they aren't just here to make the playoffs; they want to win the whole thing.