No. 9 Ole Miss opened the 2026 season with a close 41-38 victory over No. 24 Louisville, surviving a difficult first half before Lucas Carneiro’s 48-yard field goal ended the game and kept the Rebels from suffering an early-season loss.
Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss ultimately produced a massive performance, but his strong reaction afterward made clear the Rebels’ mistakes forced them into yet another stressful finish they should avoid going forward.
“I honestly hate these games,” Chambliss said. “I don’t know why we do this every time. We like close, one-score games. But we got the win, and that’s all that matters. I’m happy that we’re 1-0.”
Chambliss completed 21 of 36 passes for 336 yards, three touchdowns and only one interception while adding 60 rushing yards and another score on nine carries.
The final numbers hide Chambliss’ tough start, with the quarterback throwing an interception and losing a fumble during the first half.
“You obviously don’t want to start like that,” Chambliss said, per ESPN’s Mark Schlabach. “I’m making bad decisions, turning over the ball, not being comfortable in the pocket, and just not playing the type of ball I’m capable of. I guess I had to just get used to playing again.”
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Chambliss responded after halftime, throwing all three of his touchdown passes and adding a five-yard rushing score. Two of those passes went for 62-yard touchdowns to Deuce Alexander.
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Louisville tied the game at 38 with 1:28 remaining before Chambliss guided Ole Miss 40 yards over seven plays to position Carneiro for the winning field goal.
Ole Miss hosts Charlotte on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 6:45 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
