If you missed this game, we’re sorry, because this one will surely be talked about for years — especially if Ole Miss can continue its march towards the national championship.
With under a minute to play, tie ball game and no timeouts, Trinidad Chambliss found De’Zhaun Stribling for 40 yards, putting the Rebels in field goal range for Lucas Carneiro to drill the game-winning 47-yarder. Yes, the final score was 39-34 after a safety on the ensuing kickoff, welcomed by a host of referee discussion that elongated an all-but-over ball game.
Nevertheless, this game was electric from start to finish. Georgia led 21-12 at the break, before finding itself down 34-24 with under 10 minutes to play, before tying it up with a minute to play, before a last-second field goal. We had fake punts, deep balls, fumble-sixes, enormous hits, diving catches and so much more as Pete Golding and Ole Miss earned its spot in its first CFP semifinals.
Chambliss had a the performance of a lifetime, throwing for 362 yards and two touchdowns, and honestly that stat line doesn’t even do justice to explaining just how amazing he was. The DII transfer was running all over the backfield, miraculously escaping a Georgia defense that was getting consistent pressure. Yet, he took no sacks. Every big throw he made, and credit has to be given to his counterpart Gunner Stockton who willed the Bulldogs back in the game with his legs and arm despite taking a few of the biggest hits you’ll see this postseason.
Then there’s the Rebels’ kicker, Carneiro, who drilled a 54 and 55-yarder with ease before effortlessly knocking through the game-winner. Talk about an asset that could surely come back in play in Ole Miss’ next matchup with Miami and potentially the national championship.
If you didn’t watch, go find the highlights, or better yet, rewatch the game, because we promise it won’t disappoint, even knowing the outcome.
But anyways, with all of the turmoil this team faced between the regular season and the College Football Playoff, the Rebels are moving on and sit two wins away from the pinnacle of college football. Happy New Year, and don’t worry, we’ll be running our live blogs back for the CFP semifinals, so stay tuned in on NCAA.com as we await the Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl next Thursday and Friday.
