Chambliss, Ole Miss Stun No. 4 LSU Behind Breakout Performance

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OXFORD, Miss. — Trinidad Chambliss’ storybook rise continued Saturday night as the former Division II quarterback powered No. 13 Mississippi to a 24-19 victory over No. 4 LSU in Oxford, handing the Rebels a signature win in the SEC and shaking up the national rankings.

Chambliss, a transfer from Ferris State who took over after starter Austin Simmons went down, accounted for 385 total yards — throwing for 314 and rushing for 71 — while showing poise beyond his experience. It marked his third straight 300-yard passing game since stepping into the starting role. “This is just a really cool story,” head coach Lane Kiffin said. “A little short kid from Division II going against Garrett Nussmeier and the mighty Tigers of LSU. It was awesome.” Ole Miss (5-0, 3-0 SEC) leaned on Chambliss’ dual-threat ability and timely plays down the stretch. With LSU threatening late, he converted a critical fourth down with a pass to tight end Dae’Quan Wright that allowed the Rebels to drain the clock and secure the win.

Running backs Kewan Lacy and Logan Diggs also chipped in with touchdowns, while the Rebels’ defense limited LSU to just 254 total yards and a meager 57 on the ground.

LSU (4-1, 1-1 SEC) entered the matchup with playoff aspirations but looked flat for much of the night. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, once considered a Heisman candidate, finished with 197 yards passing and one touchdown, but also threw an interception. Playing without top running back Caden Durham and offensive lineman Weston Davis, the Tigers struggled to establish rhythm. “Garrett Nussmeier has got to play better,” LSU coach Brian Kelly admitted. “But every player on offense has to play better. We weren’t consistent on either side of the ball.” LSU’s best chance came late in the fourth quarter when freshman Harlem Berry punched in a short touchdown to cut the deficit to five. But a failed two-point conversion run by Ju’Juan Johnson, stuffed by linebacker Suntarine Perkins, left the Tigers chasing.

Chambliss and the Rebels made sure they never got another chance.

“Beating No. 4-ranked LSU, one of our rivals, it’s like a dream come true,” Chambliss said. “I’m just the same guy that came here in May, working hard and wanting to have fun and win.”

The victory could propel Ole Miss into the top 10 of the AP Poll, while LSU now faces questions about its offense and overall playoff hopes.

The Takeaway:

• Ole Miss: Chambliss’ emergence gives Kiffin an unexpected spark at quarterback and makes the Rebels a legitimate SEC contender.

• LSU: The Tigers’ lack of a run game and inconsistency on offense could prove costly in a conference loaded with playoff-caliber teams.