The college football world was treated to a thriller in Week 3 in Oxford between LSU and Mississippi.
Trailing by three touchdowns at halftime, Lane Kiffin's squad clawed its way back into the game as Sam Leavitt directed back-to-back scoring drives and the Tigers' defense finally began disrupting Trinidad Chambliss and the Ole Miss offense.
In the end, though, Kiffin's squad fell short on the comeback as Sam Leavitt's final pass attempt of the night was deflected and intercepted in the end zone, capping off Pete Golding and Ole Miss' 32-24 win.
The loss drops LSU to 0-1 in SEC play and sends Ole Miss fans celebrating after the way Kiffin left Oxford last
November.
Chambliss was the X-Factor for Ole Miss in the victory — he scored the go-ahead touchdown for the Rebels in the fourth quarter on a 14-yard quarterback keeper. He finished 33-of-48 for 363 yards on the night with three total touchdowns and an interception.
Given the off-field factors surrounding the Magnolia Bowl, most of which surround Kiffin's return, social media did not hold back in reacting to Saturday's top-10-ranked Southeastern Conference matchup:
College football world reacts to Ole Miss' win over Lane Kiffin, LSU
Here's a snippet of reactions on social media from Saturday's Ole Miss win over Kiffin and LSU:
Just Different. #HottyToddy https://t.co/sK7cr7lQLS pic.twitter.com/iLTPyQVdXI
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 20, 2026
What does a $54 million buyout for the old coach, a $91 million contract for the new coach, and a $50 million roster get you?
— Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) September 20, 2026
An a-s whipping in Oxford, Mississippi! #HottyToddy
With tonight’s loss @Lane_Kiffin is 13-26 against the Top 25
— Brennon Chapman (@BrennonChapman) September 20, 2026
The loss drops him below Brett Bielema who is 23-45, and leaves him tied with Houston Nutt who was 20-40.
Lane Kiffin lost to the program he said couldnt get good players, to the quarterback that refused to follow him, in the stadium he said wasnt big enough
— Michael Borkey (@MichaelBorkey) September 20, 2026
Tough
Lane Kiffin needed Ole Miss
— Courtney Anne (@CourtAnne1225) September 20, 2026
Ole Miss didn’t need Lane Kiffin
Ole Miss takes down Lane Kiffin and LSU!
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 20, 2026
Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit with the call for ABC. pic.twitter.com/C8S7CngSGz
Imagine what a good coach like Lane Kiffin could do at a school with resources like Ole Miss.
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 20, 2026
Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss because he couldn’t win there and could only win at LSU?
— Alex Donno (@AlexDonno) September 20, 2026
LSU -Ole Miss had EVERYTHING.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 20, 2026
Top talent.
Real hatred.
The Scorned Ex.
The Ex returning with a new partner.
AND THE GAME DELIVERED A CLASSIC ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE WIRE.
Lane Kiffin ladies and gentlemen.
The Villain College Football.
Like him or hate him.
You will watch.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ole Miss beats LSU in SEC opener: Rebels 'didn't need Lane Kiffin'
