Ole Miss Stuns No. 13 Oklahoma 34-26: Chambliss’s 315-Yard Masterclass Powers Rebels’ SEC Comeback

In a thrilling SEC showdown that had college football fans on the edge of their seats, No. 8 Ole Miss delivered a statement victory over No. 13 Oklahoma, triumphing 34-26 in Norman. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss orchestrated the Rebels’ offensive fireworks, throwing for 315 yards and a touchdown, while the team racked up 431 total yards against the nation’s top-ranked total defense. This win comes just a week after a heartbreaking loss to Georgia, signaling Ole Miss‘s resilience in the cutthroat landscape of college football.

The game, played under the lights at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, showcased the Rebels’ ability to adapt and execute against a Sooners squad known for its suffocating defense. Oklahoma entered the matchup allowing just 256.3 yards per game, the best mark in the FBS, but Ole Miss shattered that narrative with a balanced attack that kept the crowd of over 80,000 stunned throughout the night.

Chambliss Delivers Clutch Performance After Georgia Heartbreak

Trinidad Chambliss emerged as the hero of the evening, his poise and precision under pressure turning the tide for Ole Miss. The junior quarterback, who hails from a small town in Mississippi, completed 24 of 35 passes for 315 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Tre Harris in the second quarter that ignited the Rebels’ lead. Chambliss’s performance was especially poignant following last week’s 41-24 defeat to Georgia, where he threw two interceptions in a game that exposed Ole Miss’s vulnerabilities against elite SEC defenses.

“We talked all week about bouncing back,” Chambliss said post-game, his voice steady amid the jubilant locker room. “Oklahoma’s defense is no joke—they’re the best for a reason. But we schemed up ways to attack them, and it paid off.” His stat line wasn’t just numbers; it represented a turning point. Chambliss avoided turnovers entirely, a stark contrast to the Georgia mishaps, and his mobility added 45 rushing yards, including a crucial 12-yard scramble on third down that extended a key drive in the third quarter.

Ole Miss’s offense, under the guidance of head coach Lane Kiffin, has been one of the most dynamic in college football this season, averaging 38.7 points per game entering the matchup. Against Oklahoma, they leaned heavily on short-to-intermediate passes, with Chambliss targeting reliable slot receiver Jonathan Mingo for 112 yards on eight catches. This aerial assault not only neutralized Oklahoma’s pass rush but also opened lanes for the running game, where running back Quinshon Judkins powered through for 98 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries.

The Rebels’ preparation was meticulous. Practices focused on quick releases and hot routes to counter Oklahoma’s aggressive blitz packages, led by defensive coordinator Brent Venables. Chambliss credited his offensive line, which allowed just one sack, for giving him the time to dissect the Sooners’ secondary. “Those guys up front are warriors,” he added. “Without them, none of this happens.”

Rebels’ Ground Game Cracks Oklahoma’s Ironclad Front

While Chambliss stole the spotlight in the passing game, Ole Miss’s rushing attack proved pivotal in wearing down Oklahoma’s vaunted defense. The Sooners, who ranked first nationally in total defense, had held opponents to a mere 89.2 rushing yards per game prior to this clash. Yet, the Rebels exploded for 116 yards on the ground, a testament to their physicality and Kiffin’s innovative play-calling.

Judkins, a freshman sensation already drawing Heisman whispers, was a force from the opening whistle. His 4-yard touchdown plunge in the first quarter set the tone, capping a 75-yard drive that consumed 8:32 off the clock. Later, in the fourth quarter, Judkins broke free for a 28-yard run that positioned Ole Miss for a field goal that extended their lead to 31-20. “Oklahoma loads the box to stop the run, but we stayed patient,” Judkins explained. “Coach Kiffin always says, ‘Wear ’em down,’ and that’s what we did.”

Supporting Judkins was a committee approach that included Zach Evans, who added 42 yards on nine carries, including a gritty 15-yard gain on fourth-and-2 that kept a drive alive late in the game. Ole Miss’s offensive line, anchored by All-SEC center Cade Skipper, dominated the line of scrimmage, creating holes against Oklahoma’s front seven, which features NFL prospects like end Ethan Downs.

This ground success wasn’t accidental. Ole Miss entered the week studying film of Oklahoma’s losses, noting tendencies where the Sooners’ linebackers overpursued. By mixing in play-action passes off bootlegs, the Rebels kept defenders off-balance, leading to big plays downfield. Statistically, Ole Miss controlled time of possession 32:14 to Oklahoma’s 27:46, a crucial edge in a game decided by execution in the trenches.

The impact extended beyond yards: Oklahoma’s defense, exhausted from chasing Judkins, began to falter in coverage, allowing Chambliss to connect on several deep balls. This synergy between run and pass epitomized Ole Miss’s balanced offense, which has propelled them to an 8-1 record and firm contention in the SEC West.

Fourth-Quarter Heroics Seal Dramatic SEC Upset

As the clock ticked into the fourth quarter, the game hung in the balance with Oklahoma trailing 24-20. What followed was a sequence of defensive stands and opportunistic scoring that defined Ole Miss’s grit in this SEC battle. The Rebels’ defense, often overshadowed by their explosive offense, stepped up when it mattered most, forcing two crucial turnovers that swung momentum decisively.

With 8:42 remaining, Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who finished with 248 passing yards and two scores, appeared poised for a comeback. But on a third-and-7 from the Ole Miss 38, Rebels cornerback Deantre Prince intercepted a tipped pass, returning it 22 yards to the Sooners’ 45. This turnover sparked a nine-play drive, culminating in a 3-yard touchdown run by Judkins, pushing the lead to 31-20. “That pick was huge,” Prince said. “We knew Gabriel likes to throw into tight windows, and we baited him.”

Oklahoma responded with a quick touchdown, a 15-yard pass from Gabriel to Nic Anderson, narrowing the gap to 31-26. But Ole Miss’s defense held firm on the two-point conversion attempt, stuffing running back Tawee Walker at the goal line. Then, on the ensuing kickoff, return specialist Jordan Watkins fielded the ball at the 12-yard line and weaved through traffic for a 45-yard return, setting up prime field position.

Chambliss capped the drive with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Mingo, but the extra point was blocked—yet it was enough. Oklahoma’s final drive stalled at midfield, with the Rebels’ pass rush, led by Princely Umanmielen’s two sacks, sacking Gabriel on fourth down to ice the game. Ole Miss’s defense, which entered allowing 22.1 points per game, limited Oklahoma to just 3-of-12 on third-down conversions, a key factor in controlling the game’s rhythm.

The stadium, initially electric with Sooners’ faithful, fell into a hush as the final seconds elapsed. For Ole Miss, this wasn’t just a win; it was redemption. The Rebels improved to 3-1 in SEC play, while Oklahoma dropped to 2-2 in conference action, exposing cracks in their defensive armor.

Coaches’ Clashes and Strategic Masterstrokes Define the Night

Behind the scenes, the matchup between Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin and Oklahoma’s Brent Venables added layers of intrigue to this college football spectacle. Kiffin, known for his offensive wizardry and social media savvy, outmaneuvered Venables’s defensive schemes, which had shut down high-powered attacks from teams like Texas earlier in the season.

“Oklahoma’s defense is elite—they don’t give you much,” Kiffin remarked in his post-game presser. “But we found ways to stress them horizontally and vertically. Credit to our staff for the game plan.” Kiffin’s adjustments were evident: After a slow start where Oklahoma led 10-7 at halftime, Ole Miss shifted to more no-huddle tempo in the second half, wearing down the Sooners and forcing penalties on five occasions.

Venables, a former Clemson defensive coordinator, praised his team’s effort but lamented execution errors. “We bent but didn’t break until the end,” he said. “Ole Miss is a talented group; they earned this one.” The game highlighted broader SEC trends, where offensive innovation clashes with defensive rigidity, often deciding divisional fates.

Historically, Ole Miss and Oklahoma have met only twice before, with the Sooners holding a 2-0 edge in non-conference tilts. This victory marks Ole Miss’s first win over a top-15 Oklahoma team since joining the SEC in 1992, boosting their resume for the College Football Playoff committee. Kiffin’s record now stands at 45-22 in five seasons at Oxford, solidifying his status as one of the conference’s top minds.

Injuries played a role too: Oklahoma lost starting cornerback Woodi Washington to a hamstring strain in the second quarter, weakening their secondary and allowing Ole Miss to exploit mismatches. No major injuries for the Rebels, preserving their depth for the grueling SEC slate ahead.

As the SEC continues to evolve with the addition of Oklahoma and Texas, games like this underscore the conference’s parity and excitement. Ole Miss’s win not only avenges their Georgia loss but positions them as legitimate contenders, with eyes on the SEC Championship and beyond.

Looking ahead, Ole Miss faces a gauntlet: a home date with No. 1 Georgia rematch looming in two weeks, followed by road trips to LSU and at Tennessee. A win over the Bulldogs could catapult the Rebels into the top five and keep their playoff dreams alive. For Oklahoma, the loss stings, but with games against BYU and Texas on the horizon, Venables will rally his squad to regroup. In the unpredictable world of college football, this SEC showdown serves as a reminder that no lead is safe, and every play can rewrite the narrative.