Ole Miss needed one final Trinidad Chambliss answer to survive Louisville thriller
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Ole Miss needed one final Trinidad Chambliss answer to survive Louisville thriller originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Ole Miss had already watched a comfortable fourth-quarter lead disappear. Its defense had no answer for Louisville’s final push, and the only ranked matchup of college football’s opening weekend appeared destined for overtime.
Trinidad Chambliss had other ideas. Chambliss calmly directed one final drive before Lucas Carneiro drilled a 48-yard field goal as time expired, lifting No. 9 Ole Miss to a breathtaking 41-38 victory over No. 24 Louisville in Sunday night’s Music City Kickoff at Nissan Stadium.
It was the perfect finish to a game that transformed from an early struggle into one of the most entertaining contests of the opening weekend. Louisville tied the game with 1:28 remaining when quarterback Lincoln Kienholz scored on a 7-yard keeper. That capped a furious comeback from a 38-24 deficit and put all the pressure back on Chambliss.
The veteran quarterback responded exactly as a Heisman Trophy candidate should.
Starting at his own 25-yard line, Chambliss moved Ole Miss into Louisville territory. His biggest throw came on third-and-6, when he connected with Caleb Odom for 18 yards. Carneiro took care of the rest, sending the game-winning kick through the uprights as the clock hit zero. The result allowed Ole Miss to celebrate a win. The way Chambliss delivered it may have meant even more.
Trinidad Chambliss turns difficult start into a statement
Chambliss did not open the game looking like a quarterback ready to control the national conversation. He lost a fumble and threw an interception during a sloppy first half in which Ole Miss produced only 10 points. The Rebels entered halftime with a 10-6 lead despite struggling to consistently move the ball.
Everything changed after halftime.
Chambliss threw two 62-yard touchdown passes to Deuce Alexander during the third quarter. He later found Odom for a 35-yard score before running for another touchdown himself.
By the end of the night, Chambliss had completed 21 of 36 passes for 336 yards and three touchdowns. He added a rushing score, while Alexander finished with five catches for 159 yards and two touchdowns.
Those numbers were impressive. His response to Louisville’s comeback was even better.
The Cardinals could have folded after Chambliss’ rushing touchdown gave Ole Miss a two-score lead with 6:43 remaining. Instead, Kienholz connected with Lawayne McCoy for a 54-yard touchdown and then drove Louisville down the field again for the tying score. Kienholz threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns in his first start after spending three seasons behind other quarterbacks at Ohio State. Louisville lost the game, but it may have found the quarterback capable of keeping it in the ACC race.
MORE: Notre Dame’s next opponent just won with only 28 passing yards
Ole Miss escapes with a win and several major questions
The dramatic finish should not erase the areas Ole Miss must clean up. The Rebels committed two turnovers, surrendered 32 second-half points and nearly wasted a 14-point lead in the closing minutes. Running back Kewan Lacy also left the game after battling leg and shoulder issues, according to the postgame report. Lacy finished with 61 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.
There was plenty for Ole Miss coach Pete Golding to address after his first regular-season victory since replacing Lane Kiffin. There was also plenty to appreciate.
Ole Miss faced a ranked opponent, endured a poor start, lost control of the game late and still found a way to win. Championship contenders rarely play perfect football for an entire season. They do, however, need a quarterback who can rescue them when everything begins to fall apart.
On Sunday night, Chambliss showed Ole Miss exactly why it believes he can be that player.
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