In a dominant College Football Playoff first-round victory, the No. 6 seed Ole Miss Rebels routed the No. 11 Tulane Green Wave 41-10 on December 20, 2025, led by quarterback Trinidad Chambliss who scored two rushing touchdowns. This decisive win at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi, advanced Ole Miss to the Sugar Bowl quarterfinal against Georgia, showcasing a seamless transition under new head coach Pete Golding.
The game began with Ole Miss setting an aggressive tone, as running back Kewan Lacy broke free for a 20-yard touchdown on the opening drive, covering 75 yards in just three plays. Shortly after, the Rebels’ defense forced a turnover when Jaylon Braxton intercepted Tulane quarterback Jake Retzlaff, setting up Chambliss for his first rushing score—a 4-yard dash that extended the lead to 14-0 in the first quarter. Tulane managed a field goal early in the second quarter, but Ole Miss responded with a field goal of their own, maintaining control and entering halftime with a 17-3 advantage.
Chambliss demonstrated his dual-threat capabilities in the third quarter, throwing a 13-yard touchdown pass to De’Zhaun Stribling to push the lead to 24-3. After briefly exiting with an injury, he returned to guide another scoring drive that ended with a Lucas Carneiro field goal, making it 27-3. The Rebels’ defense continued to stifle Tulane, forcing a fumble and limiting offensive opportunities, which kept the Green Wave from mounting any significant comeback.
In the fourth quarter, Ole Miss added two more touchdowns to seal the rout. First, Logan Diggs punched in a 3-yard run, followed by Chambliss’ second rushing touchdown—an 8-yard dash that capped a 29-yard drive and made the score 41-3. Tulane scored a late consolation touchdown on a 29-yard pass from Retzlaff to tight end Justyn Reid, but it was inconsequential. Chambliss finished with impressive stats: 23 of 29 passing for 282 yards and one touchdown, plus 36 rushing yards and two scores, highlighting his pivotal role.
Beyond the scoreboard, the game marked the debut of new head coach Pete Golding, who took over after Lane Kiffin’s departure to LSU. Golding received a loud ovation from a record crowd of 68,251 fans, breaking the stadium’s attendance record. The team played with remarkable cohesion and intensity, showing no disruption from the coaching change and executing efficiently on both sides of the ball.
With this victory, Ole Miss advances to the Sugar Bowl on January 1, where they will face the No. 3 seed Georgia Bulldogs in a highly anticipated quarterfinal matchup. This sets up a clash between two SEC powerhouses, with Ole Miss aiming to continue their playoff run and contend for a national championship. The win also underscores Chambliss’ emergence as a key player, having transferred from Ferris State and stepped up in the absence of the original starter.
In summary, Ole Miss’ comprehensive performance against Tulane was a team effort fueled by Chambliss’ stellar play and a stout defense. The Rebels have positioned themselves as serious contenders in the expanded College Football Playoff, while Tulane ends a successful season that included a playoff berth despite the lopsided loss. As Ole Miss prepares for Georgia, this victory provides crucial momentum and confidence for the challenges ahead.
