In a resounding statement win, the No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels crushed the No. 11 Tulane Green Wave 41-10 in the first round of the 2025 College Football Playoff at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on December 20. This marked Ole Miss' debut CFP victory and their first game under new head coach Pete Golding, following Lane Kiffin's controversial departure to LSU just weeks earlier.
The Rebels jumped out to an early lead and never relinquished control, totaling 497 yards of offense while forcing multiple turnovers. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss starred with over 300 total yards and three touchdowns, proving the offense remains potent without Kiffin.
Trinidad Chambliss in action during the dominant performance.
Running back Kewan Lacy opened the scoring with a 20-yard touchdown run just 59 seconds into the game, setting the tone for a balanced attack that included big plays from Chambliss and backup Logan Diggs.
The defense, Golding's specialty, limited Tulane to 10 points despite the Green Wave gaining 421 yards – largely in garbage time. Tulane quarterback Jake Retzlaff threw for 306 yards but was plagued by an interception and fumbles.
New head coach Pete Golding on the sideline in his debut.
Golding, promoted after Kiffin's move to rival LSU on November 30, earned praise for keeping the team focused amid chaos. "This is about the team," Golding said postgame.
The win advances Ole Miss (12-1) to the Allstate Sugar Bowl on January 1, where they'll face No. 3 Georgia in a rematch of their regular-season loss.
Rebels players celebrating the playoff victory.
A program-record crowd packed Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, creating an electric atmosphere for Mississippi's first-ever hosted CFP game.
Record-breaking crowd at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
For Tulane (11-3), the season ends disappointingly after an AAC championship. Coach Jon Sumrall, heading to Florida next, couldn't replicate the magic against Power conference foes.
Analysts hailed Ole Miss' resilience: "They proved they're championship-caliber despite the upheaval," one ESPN commentator noted.
This victory boosts recruiting and morale, signaling the Rebels' golden era under Golding continues.
Up Next: Sugar Bowl vs. Georgia – a chance for revenge and a semifinal berth.
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