Once again, the Coach Pete Golding and the Ole Miss Rebels did something nobody outside of the locker room thought they’d do: they took down the mighty Georgia Bulldogs while managing an instant classic with a comeback for the ages, and now the Rebels have advanced and will play Miami on Thursday night in the VRBO Fiesta Bowl. There’s no question about it, Thursday night was a special night for the entire program. You had posting emotional videos online, Coach Golding and his family enjoying the moment, and then you had the players who embraced it all, just as they have all season long, even through adversity. Ole Miss has embraced the journey, and Thursday night was just the icing on the cake for the long journey this program has been on since its last national championship win in 1962. 

As we do after every game, thoughts and takeaways from the Sugar Bowl win over Georgia on Thursday night. 

First, let’s take a second to credit all of Rebels Nation, Ole Miss fans transcended in on the Crescent City and took over every street corner with powder blue. Ole Miss fans gave the guys a home-field advantage on Thursday night by taking over the Super Dome, turning New Orleans into Oxford South. There was a true Vaught Hemingway Stadium feel to the Super Dome on Thursday night, and that played into helping Coach Golding and the boys win the Sugar Bowl. 

Second, Trinidad Chambliss, once again this season, is the man. End of the conversation. Trindidad Chambliss made plays on Thursday espiceally in the 4th quarter, that left the Georgia defense in a hopeless position as he put Ole Miss on his back and got the job done. Chambliss finished his day by carving out the Georgia defense for 362 passing yards, two touchdowns, and zero turnovers. Chambliss was the Georgia nightmare on Thursday night, and he will likely be the difference-maker against Miami. 

Third, the defense did what they had to do on Thursday night. They allowed a few big plays, but once the second half rolled around, they locked down, forcing Gunner Stockton out of his comfort zone while having nine total tackles for loss and forcing a fumble that shifted the dynamic of the game. Ole Miss will face a mean offensive line when they face Miami, but Georgia is about as good as they come, and they passed the test in the Sugar Bowl, giving the offense scoring opportunities. 

Lastly, can it be the Sugar Bowl without talking about Lucas Carneiro, who nailed three field goals, two of which were over 50 yards, and one from 47 to take down Georgia and win the Sugar Bowl, sending the Rebels to the VRBO Fiesta Bowl. Carneiro has been money all season for the Rebels and continues to give Coach Golding another weapon to rely on when the game is on the line. 

Overall, Thursday night was another special night for Ole Miss football, and now the journey continues. Miami is a tough out, but the Rebels are in the position to win one game and then play for a National championship. Enjoying this team is of the utmost importance. 

Photo Credits- Ole Miss Football on X