NEW ORLEANS — The Ole Miss Rebels and Georgia Bulldogs put on a classic inside the Caesars Superdome on Thursday night.
The Rebels stormed back to defeat the Bulldogs 39-34 in the AllState Sugar Bowl to advance to the College Football Playoffs semifinals.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The two SEC squads punted on their first drives, but Ole Miss got on the scoreboard with its second drive as Lucas Carneiro booted a 55-yard field goal.
The Rebels’ defense then forced a three-and-out by the Bulldogs. Ole Miss showed promise on the ensuing possession as Trinidad Chambliss hit Harrison Wallace III for a 22-yard completion. The drive stalled, and the Rebels had to settle for a 56-yard field goal by Carneiro.
At the end of the first, Ole Miss led UGA 6-0.
Georgia responded with a seven-play, 75-yard drive that featured some big runs by Nate Frazier that put the ball in the red zone. The Bulldogs capped the drive with a 12-yard touchdown run by Gunnar Stockton.
Ole Miss responded with an eight-play, 75-yard touchdown drive as Chambliss found tight end Luke Hasz in the back of the end zone for a three-yard touchdown. The two-point run attempt was stuffed, but the Rebels had reclaimed the lead.
Georgia answered right back as Stockton made throws to Zachariah Branch (15 yards), Frazier (24 yards), and Cash Jones (26 yards). Stockton took it himself for a one-yard touchdown run.
Georgia’s defense then came up with a game-changing play as Elijah Griffin stripped Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy, and Daylen Everette picked up and returned it for a 47-yard touchdown.
Ole Miss had a chance to score before halftime but was unable to take advantage of a targeting call on JaCorey Thomas. With the ball at the UGA 43-yard line, Chambliss threw back-to-back passes that were dropped by Rebel wide receivers. Chambliss did find Dae’Quan Wright for eight yards, but he didn’t get out of bounds. Rebels head coach Pete Golding tried to run out the field goal unit, but time expired.
At the break, UGA led Ole Miss 21-12.
After forcing the Bulldogs to punt to open up the third, Ole Miss moved the ball to midfield. The Rebels faced a fourth and one at their own 49-yard line, but the direct snap to Lacy was stuffed.
Georgia couldn’t take advantage of the short field, and Peyton Woodring was short on his 55-yard field goal attempt.
Ole Miss did score on its next possession. Chambless found Wallace III for a 39-yard reception. Two plays later, Lacy took the handoff and scored from seven yards out. The extra point was good, and the Rebels had cut the Bulldogs’ lead down to two points.
It appeared that Ole Miss had forced a three-and-out, but Georgia faked the punt as Landon Roldan completed a 16-yard pass. A few plays later, Stockton found Colbie Young open for a 31-yard pass, while getting blasted on the throw. The drive stalled, and the Bulldogs had to settle for a 37-yard field goal.
At the end of the third, UGA led Ole Miss 24-19.
Ole Miss started the fourth with an impressive TD drive as Chambliss found Wallace III for a 44-yard catch and then four plays later, Lacy ran up the middle for a five-yard TD. Chambliss found Wallace III in the back of the end zone for a two-point pass to give the Rebels a 27-24 lead.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart then decided to go for it on fourth and two from their own 33-yard line. Ole Miss edge rusher Suntarine Perkins sacked and stripped Stockton. The Rebels took advantage of the short field moments later as Chambliss found Wallace III for a 13-yard touchdown.
The Bulldogs needed only seven plays and less than two minutes to respond as Stockton found Branch for an 18-yard touchdown. The extra point was good, and with 7:03 left, UGA trailed Ole Miss 34-31.
After forcing Ole Miss to punt, Georgia started their drive from their own 36-yard line. The Bulldogs quickly faced fourth and nine, but Stockton found Branch for a 16-yard pickup. A few moments later, Ole Miss defensive back Kapena Gushiken was called for pass interference on a deep pass by Stockton. Two plays later, Gushiken was flagged for defensive holding, which gave the Bulldogs the ball at the eight-yard line.
Georgia was unable to punch it in and took the points with a 24-yard field goal. With 56 seconds left in the game, the game was tied 34-34.
Ole Miss needed a big play, and they got it as Chambliss found De’Zhaun Stribling for a 40-yard gain. The Rebels would run out most of the clock with three straight incompletions to set up a 47-yard field goal by Carneiro. The Rebels kicker nailed the kick to give his team a three-point lead with six seconds left.
Georgia’s Roldan fielded the ensuing kickoff and threw it out of bounds on a lateral attempt, which resulted in a safety.
BIG NUMBER: 53
Georgia had won 53 straight games when the Bulldogs were leading at halftime in games. That streak was snapped on Thursday night as Ole Miss rallied from a 21-12 deficit to take down UGA.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME: TRINDAD CHAMBLISS & LUCAS CARNEIRO
The Ole Miss quarterback put on a show as he completed 30-of-46 passes for 362 yards with two touchdowns, no interceptions, a successful two-point pass in the fourth, and set a new Sugar Bowl record for most consecutive completions with 13. Chambliss also had 14 yards rushing but managed to escape pressure all night with his legs. The Rebels kicker, meanwhile, was clutch, making all three of his field goal attempts of 55, 56, and the game-winning 47-yarder.
UP NEXT: Ole Miss (13-1) advances to the College Football Playoff semifinals to take on Miami (12-2) in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 8th.
