Ole Miss survived a late rally from Louisville to win 41-38 in Nashville on Sunday night. The ninth-ranked Rebels overcame a two-turnover deficit, offensive struggles in the first half, injuries, and a defensive collapse in the second half, according to coach Pete Golding.
Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss led Ole Miss with 336 yards passing, three touchdowns, and 50 rushing yards. He drove the Rebels 40 yards in the final minute to set up Lucas Carneiro’s 48-yard game-winning field goal as time expired, Golding said.
Ole Miss faced injuries to key players, including preseason All-American running back Kewan Lacy, who missed much of the second half with a leg injury. Defensive lineman Kam Franklin, linebacker Keaton Thomas, guard Delano Townsend, and offensive tackle Tommy Kinsler also left the game. The severity of those injuries remains unknown.
Mississippi State dominated UL-Monroe 62-13, compiling 762 yards of total offense. The Bulldogs’ quarterback Kamario Taylor threw for 354 yards and four touchdowns and added 59 rushing yards and a score. Coach Jeff Lebby’s team appeared to hold back early but showed offensive prowess heading into their next game at Minnesota.
Southern Miss defeated Alcorn State 49-3 in Hattiesburg. Coach Blake Anderson, who inherited a roster with over 70 new players, praised his team’s efficiency. Quarterback Ethan Hampton performed well after an initial rusty start, and the defense forced four turnovers, intercepting Alcorn’s Jaylon Tolbert four times.
Jackson State overwhelmed Edward Waters 66-14, out-gaining the Division II visitors 704-231. Edward Waters’ president, A. Zachary Faison Jr., expressed regret over scheduling the game, citing a $60,000 payout. Faison apologized for the mismatch and said the school would not play Division I teams again, citing the low payout and excessive margin of defeat.
Jackson State is set to face Tuskegee, another Division II opponent, next. Tuskegee recently beat Fort Valley State 24-23 in Alabama.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
