No. 6 Ole Miss begins Pete Golding era with CFP rout of No. 11 Tulane
- - No. 6 Ole Miss begins Pete Golding era with CFP rout of No. 11 Tulane
Field Level MediaDecember 21, 2025 at 2:36 AM
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Dec 20, 2025; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (1) breaks the tackle attempt by Tulane Green Wave defensive back Isaiah Wadsworth (8) during the first half of a game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images (Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
There was quite a bit confronting No. 6 Ole Miss leading up to the team's first College Football Playoff game.
Now there's more ahead for the Rebels.
Trinidad Chambliss threw for 282 yards and accounted for three touchdowns that combined with Ole Miss' strong defensive performance for a 41-10 victory over No. 11 Tulane under new coach Pete Golding in a College Football Playoff first-round game Saturday at Oxford, Miss.
"(This team) has been through a lot the last few weeks," said Golding, who replaced the departed Lane Kiffin. "... This is the playoffs."
Ole Miss (12-1) heads to the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1 in New Orleans to face No. 3 Georgia in the quarterfinals. It will be a rematch of the Rebels' only loss this season -- by a 43-35 score on Oct. 18 on the Bulldogs' home field.
Golding's first game as head coach coincided with the Rebels' first CFP game, and it was mostly a smooth day as the Southeastern Conference team rolled to its second victory this season against Tulane. The new coach was doused with liquid, presumably water or Gatorade, as part of the on-field celebration.
Golding pumped his fist above his head as he headed off the field to a huge ovation. He said his players should feel elated as well.
"Those are memories they're going to remember for the rest of their lives," Golding said.
Chambliss threw for one touchdown and had rushing scores from 4 and 8 yards. He was 23-for-29 in the air without an interception.
Tulane (11-3) played under coach Jon Sumrall in his final game before he takes over at Florida. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff was 20-for-35 passing for 306 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Shazz Preston caught five passes for 125 yards.
"It's not OK we lost," Sumrall said. "I also told them it doesn't change I feel about them. This team will walk together forever as champions, because we won a conference championship."
Golding, who rose from defensive coordinator to head coach when Kiffin bolted for LSU on Nov. 30, watched his defense keep Tulane out of the end zone until four minutes remained in the game.
Sumrall spent two seasons at Tulane, compiling a 20-8 record.
"It has been an honor and a privilege," Sumrall said. "Winning a conference championship this year was special, something I'll remember forever. Just really proud of how the team came together. ... I have a little bit of a bad taste in my mouth from (this last game)."
Sumrall was slow to leave the field following the game, sharing some hugs.
"I think about the fans," he said, hoping he made a positive impact. "I'm a passionate, fiery guy. I think that fits in New Orleans. It fits Tulane."
Kewan Lacy of Ole Miss rushed for 87 yards with a touchdown on 15 carries.
Lacy scored the game's first touchdown on a 20-yard burst up the middle as the Rebels went 75 yards in three plays to score 59 seconds into the game.
Following Jaylon Braxton's interception in the red zone, Ole Miss was quickly in the end zone again. The Rebels covered 60 yards in four plays as Chambliss ran 4 yards to make it 14-0 at the 7:26 mark of the first quarter.
Tulane opened the second-quarter scoring on Patrick Durkin's 39-yard field goal. Ole Miss regained the 14-point edge on Lucas Carneiro's 42-yard field goal, then a red-zone fumble in the final minute of the first half prevented the Rebels from further adding to the lead.
Ole Miss made it comfortable by scoring on its first two possessions of the second half. Chambliss threw 13 yards to De'Zhaun Stribling and Carneiro kicked a 48-yard field goal.
The final score wasn't much different than the teams' first meeting this season. The Rebels topped Tulane in a 45-10 romp on Sept. 20 in the same stadium.
--Field Level Media
Source: “AOL Sports”
