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Ole Miss Rebels Secure Sugar Bowl Victory in Thrilling Game
New Orleans, LA – In a game filled with suspense and drama, the Ole Miss Rebels emerged victorious against the Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl with a final score of 39-34. The win, however, was anything but straightforward, with multiple premature celebrations and nail-biting plays right up to the final second.
The game concluded with Ole Miss kicking a go-ahead field goal, leaving only six seconds on the clock. What followed was a chaotic sequence: Georgia’s return team attempted a risky cross-field lateral on the kickoff, only to have the ball hit the pylon, resulting in a safety for Ole Miss. The Rebels’ players and coaches stormed the field in celebration, believing they had won, but officials intervened, ordering Georgia to kick off again with just one second remaining.
Adding to the confusion, Georgia then recovered an onside kick, leading to another premature celebration by Ole Miss. Even Head Coach Pete Golding was doused with a celebratory Gatorade bath. But once again, officials ruled that the final second needed to be played. Stadium staff had even started to bring out the winner’s stage before having to move it back.
Georgia attempted one last play, filled with multiple lateral passes, but the play ultimately failed after several seconds. Finally, Ole Miss could truly celebrate their hard-fought victory.
The win propels Ole Miss (with a record of 13-1) into a semifinal match against Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.
The Sugar Bowl provided fans with a captivating contest, a stark contrast to some of the other quarterfinal games.
The game saw momentum swings, with Ole Miss initially holding a 21-12 lead at halftime. However, Georgia (12-2) fought back, taking a 34-24 lead. Georgia tied the game, with Gunner Stockton throwing an 18-yard touchdown pass to Zachariah Branch. A field goal tied the game with less than a minute left.
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss then connected with De’Zhaun Stribling for a 40-yard pass, setting up the winning field goal. Lucas Carneiro, who had already made Sugar Bowl records with field goals of 55 and 56 yards, then kicked the winning 47-yard field goal.
On the offensive end, Harrison Wallace III had nine receptions for 156 yards and a touchdown for Ole Miss. Stribling added seven catches for 122 yards, and Kewan Lacy rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Ole Miss outgained Georgia in total yardage, 473 to 343.
For Georgia, Stockton passed for 203 yards and one touchdown, adding two rushing touchdowns.
