Lane Kiffin explains why he threw football into student section during Ole Miss win
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OXFORD — When Ole Miss football linebacker Suntarine Perkins hauled in the game-sealing interception with 5:27 left against South Carolina, it triggered an overzealous celebration in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Four Rebels were called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for hopping in with the students in the front row of the stands. When the flags came out, coach Lane Kiffin saw an opening.
“I was just excited,” Kiffin said. “We made an interception. When we did, the student section was right there. I didn’t tell them to jump into the stands. They did that. And then they were getting penalties, so I just threw the ball up there too. I’m like, ‘They aren’t going to give us two penalties.’ Sometimes you’ve got to have fun.”
Ole Miss beat South Carolina 30-14. The Rebels (8-1, 5-1 SEC) remained undefeated at home and dropped South Carolina (3-6, 1-6 SEC) to 0-3 in road games.
Perkins said he did hear Kiffin tell him to jump in the stands.
Kiffin’s throw was easy to miss in the chaos of the moment. He was on the sideline about 30 yards away from the student section, and the ball went into the first section. Kiffin is a former college quarterback at Fresno State.
“I’m glad you didn’t see it,” Kiffin said. “I shouldn’t have done that.. It’s like, we’re already getting. penalty. Whatever.”
Lane Kiffin explains how Ole Miss won despite Trinidad Chambliss’ off day
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss did not play particularly well against the Gamecocks. Chambliss was 12-for-21 passing for 159 yards and one touchdown. It was his career-low in passing yards since taking over as starter in Week 3.
“Everybody is not going to play great,” Kiffin said. “Same thing with whatever sports you guys play. Golf, tennis, whatever. You don’t play the same every time. Sometimes you have some days you are off a little bit.”
Kiffin credited running back Kewan Lacy and the Rebels defense for delivering when the offense was scuffling. South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers was sacked six times and intercepted twice. Lacy rushed for 167 yards and a touchdown.
“Trinidad was a little off today,” Kiffin said. “When that happens you need to run the ball really well and play good defense.”
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Why Lane Kiffin threw football into student section vs South Carolina
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