Ole Miss, ranked No. 8, faced a critical game against No. 7 LSU, a matchup intensified by former Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin's return to Oxford as LSU's coach. The Rebels initially held a commanding 17-point lead at halftime, only to see it evaporate as LSU staged a significant comeback, tying the game. This challenging situation was compounded by an injury to Ole Miss's star running back, and a rare missed field goal by All-American Lucas Carneiro further shifted momentum towards LSU.
However, Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who transferred from Division II Ferris State, emerged as the hero of the night. Despite an interception that contributed to LSU's comeback, Chambliss orchestrated a crucial drive to tie the game at 24-24. He connected with Horatio Fields for a 22-yard pass into LSU territory and then with Deuce Alexander for a 14-yard gain to reach the red zone. The decisive play was a game-winning touchdown run where Chambliss faked a handoff and evaded LSU safety Ty Benefield, giving Ole Miss a 32-24 lead. The Rebels' defense then secured the win by stopping LSU on fourth down.
Chambliss's performance, which included two touchdown passes and the game-winning touchdown run, earned him significant recognition. After the victory, Ole Miss climbed nine spots to No. 4 in the AP Top 25, while LSU dropped. Chambliss, who gained 385 yards from scrimmage in the game, quickly became the favorite for the Heisman Trophy, with odds at +310, making a strong case for the prestigious award in a story described as the best in college football.
