Chambliss lifts Ole Miss past LSU after Tigers rally

What Happened No. 8 Ole Miss beat LSU 32–24 on Saturday, rallying quarterback Chambliss past the Tigers’ comeback from a 24–7 deficit to keep the Rebels unbeaten at 3–0.

The win gave Ole Miss an early marquee SEC result for its playoff case against an LSU team that entered the game No. 7 in both major preseason polls. LSU fell to 2–1 after victories over Clemson and Louisiana Tech, leaving its playoff path less forgiving.

Chambliss delivered after LSU tied it at 24–24 and running back Kewan Lacy was sidelined with a shoulder injury. He completed 6 of 8 passes for 62 yards on Ole Miss’ final touchdown drive, then scored on a 14-yard run. He accounted for 76 yards on the possession.

Golding said the response fit the quarterback his players trust.

“LSU can be a résumé boost for Ole Miss without becoming the destination.”

Golding

“He's a fierce competitor. Y'all know that and have seen that for a long time. When we talk about competitive greatness, being at your best when your best is needed, that's him. Our guys believe in him. He probably wants a couple throws back, but he made the ones when he had to. He doesn't get too high or too low; he's steady. I said that this morning on GameDay: I don't care what level you coach; if you don't have a quarterback, good luck. We've got a good one, and he's a good dude. I'm super grateful,” Golding said.

Chambliss finished 33 of 48 for 363 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. His fourth-quarter run put Ole Miss ahead 32–24.

Why This One Matters Ole Miss finished 13–2 and 7–1 in the SEC in 2025. It now has a 3–0 start that includes Louisville, Charlotte and LSU, plus an eight-point win over an opponent that began the season among the sport’s highest-ranked teams.

That makes the Sept. 26 trip to Florida more than a chance to reach 4–0. A win would turn the LSU result into the base of an SEC and playoff push instead of one charged September night.

Golding put the assignment plainly: “LSU can be a résumé boost for Ole Miss without becoming the destination.”

The 363 yards matter, but the six completions on eight attempts after LSU had tied the game explain why Golding praised Chambliss’ steadiness.

Next Man Up Ole Miss has not said whether Lacy will be available at Florida or disclosed the extent of his shoulder injury. That leaves Golding with a backfield decision before the Rebels’ second SEC game.

Chambliss carried the decisive moment against LSU. How much Ole Miss needs him to carry after Lacy left remains the immediate question.

What the Coaches Can Actually Change Golding’s first call is personnel: whether Lacy can play and how Ole Miss handles the workload if he cannot. LSU forced Ole Miss into a game-changing possession after erasing 17 points; the Rebels’ answer was to let Chambliss decide it.

The Pate State Read Ole Miss owns the cleaner early playoff position because it beat LSU head-to-head and left with a quality SEC win. The comeback also kept the result from answering everything about the Rebels, especially at running back.

For LSU, the loss is not an ending. It removes room for another stumble.

What to Watch Next 1. Lacy’s status at Florida: Whether he plays, and his role if he does, will show how much his shoulder affects Ole Miss’ backfield. 2. Chambliss in another SEC road game: His completion line, turnovers and late-game production at Florida will show whether Ole Miss can carry its LSU response forward. 3. LSU against Texas A&M on Sept. 26: The Tigers’ first game after their loss will show how they respond to the narrowed path.

Ole Miss has the win it needed. Chambliss made sure it did not become the one that got away.

What Happened LSU listed Sam Leavitt as doubtful for its Saturday, Sept. 19, SEC opener at No. 8 Ole Miss, creating the chance that unbeaten LSU will open conference play with redshirt freshman Husan Longstreet in line to start for the Tigers.

Leavitt started LSU’s first two games, but the Tigers listed him as doubtful on their first injury report for Ole Miss. The report did not identify an injury. Reports have indicated Leavitt has soreness in his throwing shoulder and was limited in practice ahead of the game; he also missed his scheduled media availability Tuesday.

Yahoo Sports reported: “LSU listed starting QB Sam Leavitt as doubtful ahead of its matchup with No. 8 Ole Miss on Saturday. Redshirt freshman Husan Longstreet is in line to start if Leavitt is unable to play.”

LSU has not announced Leavitt’s final availability or confirmed which backup would start if he cannot play.

Why This One Matters LSU enters the game 2-0 after a 51-10 win over Clemson on Sept. 5 and a 45-14 win over Louisiana Tech on Sept. 12. Ole Miss also is 2-0, following wins over Louisville and Charlotte. LSU began the season No. 7 in the AP poll, one spot ahead of Ole Miss.

It is LSU’s first SEC game after the Tigers went 3-5 in the league during a 7-6 season in 2025. Ole Miss went 7-1 in the SEC and finished 13-2. LSU’s effort to improve on that conference record begins on the road against an Ole Miss program that won 13 games a year ago.

Leavitt started both LSU victories. Against Louisiana Tech, he completed 25 of 38 passes for 344 yards and a touchdown, though he threw three interceptions. His shoulder now puts LSU’s first conference road start in doubt before Texas A&M visits Baton Rouge on Sept. 26.

What Most People Are Missing The question is not limited to whether Leavitt plays. Longstreet is reportedly in line to start if Leavitt is unavailable, but Clark has handled more LSU game work.

Clark has completed 7 of 10 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown, adding 42 rushing yards and another score. Longstreet has completed his only LSU pass attempt, a 33-yarder. LSU has not said whether Longstreet or Clark would start if Leavitt is unavailable.

That leaves LSU weighing a reported option against the quarterback with the larger in-game sample.

Next Man Up A Longstreet start would put LSU’s first SEC game on a redshirt freshman who has thrown one pass for the program. He has appeared for LSU this season after previously appearing in four games at USC.

Clark’s 42 rushing yards and touchdown give LSU a different set of limited returns to consider. His seven completions exceed Longstreet’s one, but the reporting points to Longstreet if Leavitt cannot go.

What The Coaches Can Actually Change LSU first must decide whether Leavitt’s throwing shoulder permits him to play. If it does not, the staff must choose between Longstreet, the reported option to start, and Clark, who has received more game work.

The decision arrives in a game that also sends LSU coach Lane Kiffin back against his former program. LSU has not detailed its plan for either backup or said whether both could play.

The Pate State Read The doubtful designation makes Leavitt’s absence a real possibility without settling it. LSU’s first two wins did not require a full-game answer from either Longstreet or Clark; Ole Miss would force that decision in the Tigers’ SEC opener.

Longstreet’s reported standing suggests LSU sees him as more than a one-pass résumé. Clark’s production means the choice is not automatic. The Tigers’ early SEC path could turn on Leavitt’s final status and, if he sits, which inexperienced quarterback handles the road start.

What To Watch Next Leavitt’s final designation before the 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on Sept. 19 is the first answer. If he is out, LSU’s opening series will show whether Longstreet or Clark gets the start.

The box score will show whether LSU stays with that choice. For now, Leavitt’s shoulder has put the Tigers’ conference opener on a quarterback decision they did not have to make in their first two games.

Chambliss lifts Ole Miss past LSU after rally

What Happened No. 8 Ole Miss beat LSU 32–24 on Saturday, rallying quarterback Chambliss past the Tigers’ comeback from a 24–7 deficit to keep the Rebels unbeaten at 3–0.

Why This One Matters Ole Miss finished 13–2 and 7–1 in the SEC in 2025. It now has a 3–0 start that includes Louisville, Charlotte and LSU, plus an eight-point win over an opponent that began the season among the sport’s highest-ranked teams.

Next Man Up Ole Miss has not said whether Lacy will be available at Florida or disclosed the extent of his shoulder injury. That leaves Golding with a backfield decision before the Rebels’ second SEC game.

What the Coaches Can Actually Change Golding’s first call is personnel: whether Lacy can play and how Ole Miss handles the workload if he cannot. LSU forced Ole Miss into a game-changing possession after erasing 17 points; the Rebels’ answer was to let Chambliss decide it.

The Pate State Read Ole Miss owns the cleaner early playoff position because it beat LSU head-to-head and left with a quality SEC win. The comeback also kept the result from answering everything about the Rebels, especially at running back.

01 · The Open QuestionsQuestions to Be Answered

Will Lacy be available at Florida?

Can Chambliss sustain the late-game answer on the road?

02 · The Watch ListWhat to Watch Next

Will Kewan Lacy play at Florida?

Can Chambliss carry the LSU response into another SEC road game?

How does LSU respond against Texas A&M?

Sam Leavitt’s doubtful tag clouds LSU’s Ole Miss opener