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LSU coach Lane Kiffin reacts to Ole Miss’ stunner over Georgia in Sugar Bowl.
The College Football Playoff quarterfinals concluded late on New Year’s Day, with the No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels pulling off a massive 39-34 upset over the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
Georgia managed to tie the game at 34 with just 55 seconds remaining. However, Ole Miss responded with a clutch drive, moving 45 yards in seven plays to set up a 47-yard game-winning field goal by Lucas Carneiro. One of the biggest plays of the possession — and arguably the game — came when Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss connected with De’Zhaun Stribling on a 40-yard reception that moved Ole Miss to the Georgia 30-yard line.
Chambliss finished the night 30 of 46 for 362 yards and two touchdowns, delivering a masterful second-half performance as Ole Miss outscored Georgia 27-13 after halftime. Carneiro was just as vital. In addition to the game-winner, he drilled field goals from 55 and 56 yards, setting a Sugar Bowl record for the longest made field goal.
Yet amid the celebration, one familiar figure was noticeably absent.
Lane Kiffin, who coached Ole Miss through its 12-game regular season before leaving to become LSU’s head coach, was not on the sideline. Instead, it was defensive coordinator-turned-head coach Pete Golding who stood beneath the falling confetti as the Rebels secured one of the biggest wins in program history.
Lane Kiffin Decided Against Sugar Bowl Attendance
Despite no longer coaching the Rebels, Kiffin has continued to show strong support for his former team. Much of his offensive staff — including offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. — was even allowed to return to Ole Miss for the College Football Playoff run.
That raised the question of whether Kiffin would attend the Sugar Bowl, especially with the game being played in New Orleans at the Caesars Superdome, just a short drive from Baton Rouge. However, reports surfaced before kickoff that Kiffin would not be in attendance.
Instead, Kiffin attended LSU women’s basketball’s SEC opener against Kentucky at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
Kiffin was later shown at the game, appearing on the court with LSU women’s coach Kim Mulkey, who offered visible support for the Tigers’ new football coach.
Still, Kiffin wasn’t entirely removed from the Sugar Bowl scene, as some of his family and friends appeared to be in attendance in New Orleans.
Lane Kiffin Gives Support To Ole Miss After Georgia Upset
Shortly after Ole Miss’ win over Georgia, Kiffin took to social media with a pair of posts. The first was a simple red and navy flag emoji — a clear nod to the Rebels’ colors. The second showed what appeared to be family and friends celebrating from a suite at the game.
“What a great finish!!! So much fun!! Only two more to go,” Kiffin wrote.
The reaction wasn’t surprising. Since accepting the LSU job, Kiffin has consistently shown support for Ole Miss and its postseason run.
On December 9, shortly after the Rebels were named one of the 12 playoff teams and reports surfaced that his offensive assistants would rejoin Ole Miss for the CFP, Kiffin sent a brief but pointed message on social media.
“Go win it all,” he wrote.
Now, that possibility feels very real. Ole Miss will next prepare to face the Miami Hurricanes in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal on January 8, with a trip to the national championship game on the line.
Shane Shoemaker Shane Shoemaker is a sports journalist covering college football and the NFL for Heavy.com. His work has also appeared in The Sporting News, Athlon Sports, USA TODAY, and ClutchPoints, along with high school sports coverage for the Marion Tribune. More about Shane Shoemaker
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