Pete Golding reveals adjustments Ole Miss must make to beat Georgia in Sugar Bowl

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In the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, Ole Miss football will again play a rematch of one of its regular season games. However, the Rebels are now the ones seeking revenge.

After defeating Tulane 41-10 on Dec. 20 in rematch of its Week 4 win, No. 6 seed Ole Miss (12-1) will face No. 3 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on Jan. 1 (7 p.m. CT, ESPN) in a rematch from a Week 8 contest that the Bulldogs won 43-35.

“I don’t think either team is exactly the same,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said Dec. 22. “Both teams have evolved some. And everybody will have new wrinkles. That’s what you do during this time.”

In the first game, Ole Miss successfully kept up with Georgia through the first three quarters. In fact, the Rebels led 35-26 going into the final quarter. However, the Bulldogs outscored them 17-0 in the fourth to win the game.

Ole Miss does have one big change in new coach Pete Golding, who was promoted from defensive coordinator when coach Lane Kiffin left for LSU after the Egg Bowl.

Golding acknowledged the things he believes his team will need to do better to have a different outcome against Georgia. That includes getting off the field on third down, creating turnovers, not allowing explosive plays and closing out in the fourth quarter.

“I think that’s the biggest thing versus these guys is you’ve got to contest every play, Golding said. “We can’t give them free things, whether it’s a lack of communication, whether it’s a missed tackle … when you’re playing an elite team with elite players that’s really well-coached, you can’t give them things.”

Golding also pointed out the success Ole Miss had on offense for most of the first game. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss went 19-for-36 for 263 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 42 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries.

However, Golding’s key offensive adjustment is being able to run the football better. Georgia held Ole Miss to 88 rushing yards with a 3.7 yards per carry average.

“Offensively, I think we had some success early,” Golding said. “Obviously, we’re really talented on the perimeter. I think our quarterback’s playing at a high level, but you’re going to have to be able to run the football effectively versus them, especially when you have to, and I think that’s the biggest thing,”

Presumably this responsibility would fall to starter Kewan Lacy, who rushed 12 times for 31 yards and two touchdowns in Week 8. However, Lacy suffered a shoulder injury against Tulane that took him out of the game in the third quarter. Golding did not provide an update on Lacy on Dec. 22.

What Pete Golding said about Archie and Eli Manning

Since taking over as coach, Golding has been embraced by former Ole Miss star quarterbacks Archie and Eli Manning.

Archie Manning spoke to the team after practice on Dec. 19 ahead of the program’s CFP debut. Golding also chatted with Eli Manning on the field before the Rebels’ 41-10 win over Tulane.

“It’s been awesome,” Golding said. “Obviously, they’re a big part of Ole Miss history and the legacy they’ve created for themselves while they were here. … I think regardless of who was going to be in this seat, Eli was probably coming back to be at the first playoff game at his alma mater.

“But having Archie back and talking to the team, and the message that he said to them on Friday, I think had a huge impact for our players. … For him to be able to stand up in front of them and present the message he did was pretty awesome.”

Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at treid@usatodayco.com and follow her on X @tiareid65.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss vs Georgia: Pete Golding, Kirby Smart on Sugar Bowl

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