NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Trinidad Chambliss threw for 362 yards and two touchdowns, while Lucas Carneiro kicked the game-winning field goal with just six seconds remaining, securing a 39-34 win for No. 6 Mississippi over No. 3 Georgia in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals at the Sugar Bowl on Thursday night.
In a surprising twist, Georgia’s special teams attempted a crossfield lateral during the last kickoff, which accidentally struck the pylon, resulting in a safety for Ole Miss.
After recovering an onside kick, Georgia made several laterals on their final play, but their efforts stalled, propelling Ole Miss (13-1, No. 6 seed in the CFP) into the semifinal against Miami next Thursday at the Fiesta Bowl.
The Sugar Bowl followed two lopsided quarterfinals in the Orange Bowl and Rose Bowl, delivering excitement until the very end.
Georgia had a 21-12 lead at halftime, but then trailed 34-24 with just over nine minutes left. They fought back to tie the game, first with an 18-yard TD pass from Gunner Stockton to Zachariah Branch, followed by a short field goal from Peyton Woodring with 55 seconds to spare.
Chambliss quickly answered with a crucial 40-yard pass to DeZone Stribling from their own 30-yard line, setting up Carneiro for a 47-yard field goal. Celebrating with his teammates, Carneiro had already set a Sugar Bowl record with earlier kicks of 55 and 56 yards.
Harrison Wallace III had nine receptions for 156 yards and a touchdown, while Stribling contributed seven catches for 122 yards. Kewan Lacy rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Rebels in total yards over the Bulldogs, 473 to 343.
Stockton managed 203 yards passing and a touchdown, along with two rushing scores.
Both quarterbacks made impressive plays under pressure. Chambliss at one point seemed to evade a sack, scrambling to find completions during a 75-yard scoring drive capped by Lacy’s second touchdown.
Stockton completed key passes despite taking hard hits, one of which appeared to involve uncalled head contact that left him on the ground.
In the fourth quarter, both quarterbacks successfully executed high-pressure passes on fourth down, keeping their teams’ hopes alive. Chambliss hit Wallace on a crucial fourth down for a 36-yard gain, while Stockton converted a 16-yard pass to Branch on fourth-and-9, setting up Georgia’s tying field goal.
Georgia attempted a fake punt from their own 30 on a reverse pass during the third quarter, which successfully led to a field goal and gave them a temporary 24-19 lead.
But after Ole Miss regained the lead, Georgia’s aggressive play on fourth down resulted in a sack, allowing Chambliss to extend the lead with a touchdown pass to Wallace, making it 34-24. Carneiro had two long field goals in the first quarter that set Ole Miss on the scoreboard early.
Georgia finally got on the board with a 7-6 lead following Stockton’s 12-yard run, but Chambliss quickly brought Mississippi back ahead with a 39-yard completion to Stribling and a 3-yard touchdown pass to Luke Hasz.
Stockton did lead the Bulldogs back, aided by what looked to be an illegal hit prior to a touchdown, but Ole Miss found themselves trailing again after a fumble led to a 47-yard defensive touchdown for Georgia, which took a 21-12 advantage.
Takeaway
Ole Miss: Even with Lane Kiffin’s recent departure to LSU, the Rebels managed an impressive 11-1 regular season under new head coach Pete Golding, who is now 2-0 in his coaching career with both wins in the CFP.
Georgia: After earning a bye in the 12-team CFP for the second consecutive year, they faced elimination in the Sugar Bowl quarterfinals, mirroring last season’s fate against Notre Dame.
Looking Ahead
Ole Miss: The Rebels enter their first-ever CFP appearance with a healthy roster, preparing to challenge a Miami team that has recently pulled off impressive upsets.
Georgia: The Bulldogs will kick off the 2026 season on September 5th facing Tennessee State at home.
