Ole Miss Powers Past Florida Gators To Keep College Football Playoff Hopes Alive

The No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels managed to pull a rabbit out of the hat, escaping a surprisingly feisty Florida Gators team with a 34-24 win. It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t clean, but a win is a win, and in the SEC, you take those any way you can get them. This keeps the College Football Playoff dream alive, even if it gave the entire fanbase a collective heart attack.

This game was an absolute nail-biter, the kind that makes you question your life choices until the final whistle. The Rebels, now sitting pretty at 10-1, had to dig deep against a Florida squad that clearly didn’t get the memo they were supposed to roll over.

The Kewan Lacy Show Steals the Spotlight

If you’re looking for the hero of the night, look no further than Ole Miss Running Back Kewan Lacy. The man was a one-man wrecking crew. Every time it felt like the Gators were about to snatch the game away, Lacy put the team on his back. He didn’t just play; he dominated, rewriting the Ole Miss history books in the process.

Lacy galloped all over the Florida defense for a jaw-dropping 224 rushing yards and three touchdowns. With his 17th score of the season, he officially broke the single-season touchdown record. It was the kind of performance that legends are made of, and frankly, the Rebels wouldn’t be celebrating without him. Florida’s run defense simply had no answer. It was like trying to tackle a ghost with a rocket strapped to its back.

A Quarterback Duel For the Ages

While Lacy was running wild, we were treated to a classic quarterback showdown. Ole Miss Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss went toe-to-toe with Florida’s dynamic DJ Lagway. Chambliss had some shaky moments, including an interception and a tough miss on fourth down, but when the game was on the line, he delivered. He finished with 301 passing yards and a crucial touchdown, making the big plays when they mattered most.

On the other side, Lagway was a constant thorn in the Rebels’ side. His dual-threat ability kept the Gators in the hunt all night, racking up over 240 all-purpose yards. It was a heavyweight bout under center, but Chambliss and his Rebels landed the knockout blow.

Lane Kiffin’s Gutsy Calls Pay Off

You can never accuse Lane Kiffin of playing it safe. The man loves to gamble, and on Saturday night, his risky playbook paid off big time. The Rebels went for it on fourth down a whopping seven times, converting four of them. While their third-down efficiency was something to forget (6-for-16), those gutsy fourth-down conversions kept drives alive and ultimately broke the Gators’ spirit.

It was a classic Kiffin performance: high-risk, high-reward, and ultimately, a win. With just the Egg Bowl against Mississippi State left on the schedule, Ole Miss controls its own destiny. After a much-needed bye week, they’ll look to secure their first-ever 11-win regular season.