Ole Miss fans direct vulgar chants at Lane Kiffin during LSU return

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Kiffin’s return to Oxford sparks a heated fan reaction

Lane Kiffin returned to Oxford as LSU’s coach less than a year after leaving Ole Miss just before its first College Football Playoff appearance. Fans greeted their former coach with boos, chants and signs. On the field, Ole Miss built a 24-7 halftime lead in a game that carried more than the usual rivalry tension.

LSU rallied to tie the score, putting Ole Miss at risk of losing its lead to the coach who had departed. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss answered with a touchdown drive, and a late interception sealed a 32-24 Rebels win. Kiffin’s first loss at LSU came against his former team.

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Fans used vulgar chants before kickoff

Ole Miss fans directed an expletive-filled chant at Kiffin during ESPN’s College GameDay broadcast from The Grove. Kiffin appeared remotely from LSU’s team hotel as the crowd booed and chanted.

Additional profanity was reported as fans reacted to his return. Fans also shouted insults and obscenities as LSU players arrived at the stadium.

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The departure shaped the reception

Kiffin left Ole Miss on Nov. 30, 2025, to become LSU’s head coach after six seasons in Oxford. His departure came after Ole Miss finished the regular season 11-1 and was preparing for its first College Football Playoff appearance.

Ole Miss immediately promoted defensive coordinator Pete Golding to head coach. Kiffin’s exit became a central storyline when LSU later scheduled its 2026 visit to Oxford.

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Kiffin had a strong Ole Miss record

Kiffin coached Ole Miss from 2020 through 2025, compiling a 55-19 record across six seasons. The Rebels reached six consecutive bowl games and recorded four seasons with at least 10 victories during his tenure.

Ole Miss also reached the national top 10 in at least one poll during each season from 2021 through 2025. Those results established the program as a contender before Kiffin left.

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College GameDay added national attention

ESPN’s College GameDay originated from The Grove on Sept. 19, making Oxford the national setting for the LSU-Ole Miss buildup. The program previewed a top-10 SEC matchup and featured Ole Miss coach Pete Golding during its coverage.

The broadcast also included celebrity guest picker Morgan Freeman. Kiffin’s return became one of the main storylines discussed as fans gathered around the set.

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Security preparations were extensive

Mississippi officials prepared what they described as the state’s largest law enforcement presence ever for a college football game. Authorities expected roughly 100,000 people to converge on Oxford, whose permanent population is about 26,000.

Ole Miss also restricted opposing-team apparel in the student section. Mississippi authorities said the expanded security plan was designed to manage crowds and maintain safety during the high-profile weekend.

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Fans mocked Kiffin beyond the chants

The reaction in The Grove included signs and displays mocking Kiffin and LSU. AP reporters documented signs calling Kiffin a traitor, using the nickname “Lame Kiffin,” and incorporating corndog references associated with LSU.

Some fans also criticized the timing of Kiffin’s departure. AP reported that several Ole Miss supporters remained appreciative of his six seasons while objecting to the circumstances surrounding his move to LSU.

Interesting fact: Ole Miss won its 14th consecutive home game. The streak was the third-longest active home winning streak in the FBS after the LSU game.

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Kiffin acknowledged the atmosphere

Kiffin addressed the hostile reception during an ESPN appearance from LSU’s team hotel. He said the team had tried to simulate the intensity of the day and recognized that strong emotions would be present throughout the stadium.

After the game, Kiffin described his return as emotional for several reasons. He also acknowledged the crowd’s impact during the game while discussing his return.

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Ole Miss led early against LSU

No. 8 Ole Miss led No. 7 LSU 24-7 at halftime after scoring 10 points in the first quarter and 14 in the second.

LSU scored 14 points in the third quarter to close the gap to 24-21, then tied the game with a field goal early in the fourth. Ole Miss regained the lead and won 32-24 after Jaylon Braxton intercepted Sam Leavitt’s pass in the end zone on LSU’s final drive.

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The final score ended Kiffin’s unbeaten LSU start

The 32-24 result gave Ole Miss its third win of the 2026 season and its first SEC victory. LSU fell to 2-1 overall and 0-1 in SEC play after the loss in Oxford.

The game was also Kiffin’s first defeat as LSU’s head coach. Ole Miss secured the victory when Braxton intercepted Leavitt’s pass in the end zone with just over a minute remaining.

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Ole Miss moved up after the victory

After beating LSU, Ole Miss rose from No. 8 to No. 4 in the Sept. 20 AP Top 25 poll. The Rebels were 3-0 overall and 1-0 in SEC play.

LSU fell from No. 7 to No. 10 following the loss. The SEC placed 10 teams in the poll, 1 short of the conference record of 11.

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The rivalry produced a memorable return

The 2026 meeting was the first top-10 matchup between LSU and Ole Miss since 1962, according to AP reporting. It also marked Kiffin’s first game back at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium since leaving the Rebels for LSU.

Pregame chants, boos, signs, heavy security, and national television coverage surrounded the matchup. The Rebels then won 32-24, giving the highly publicized return a clear result on the field.

The internet is also talking about Leylah Fernandez pulling back the curtain on Alexandra Eala’s life beyond tennis.

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Kiffin left Oxford after six seasons

Kiffin finished his Ole Miss tenure with a 55-19 record before taking LSU’s job on Nov. 30, 2025. His final Ole Miss regular season ended 11-1, and the Rebels later made the program’s first College Football Playoff appearance under Pete Golding.

Golding guided the Rebels through the CFP, while Kiffin began his LSU tenure. When LSU visited Oxford on Sept. 19, 2026, the coaching change remained a major part of the matchup’s coverage.

In other news, Bryson DeChambeau’s latest numbers raise fresh questions about his PGA Tour return.

Like this post and comment with your thoughts on the Kiffin-Ole Miss reunion.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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