Ole Miss used a dominant second half to put away an upset-minded Florida squad, 34-24, to improve to 10-1 for the season.
Rebels running back Kewan Lacy scored three touchdowns to break the single season
rushing touchdown record. The sophomore from Dallas, Tex. has 19 touchdowns for the year, and he posted 224 yards rushing on 31 carries on Saturday.
Florida (3-7, 2-5 SEC) took advantage of some cover 0 in the first half for two long touchdown passes from DJ Lagway that led to a 24-20 halftime score (plz stop doing this Pete Golding). From there though, the Ole Miss defense shut out the Gators and a 14-0 fourth quarter by the Rebels sealed the game.
Ole Miss’ offense put up more than 500 yards in the game with quarterback Trinidad Chambliss passing for 301 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Lagway also threw an interception in the second half created by a tipped ball by Suntarine Perkins.
Its obvious this win meant a lot to the fans given the history of a third consecutive 10-win season, another undefeated home schedule, and the College Football Playoff implications. But it was also the Gators who stymied Ole Miss’ chances in the CFP last year and dunked on the Rebels celebratory goal in Gainesville. There was a little revenge factor and bad blood with this fanbase who showed up in Oxford begging Lane Kiffin to come with them.
Kiffin, of course, didn’t directly answer any questions about his future in postgame comments. In front of the largest crowd ever at an Ole Miss football game, the atmosphere was electric, and it showed on the TV broadcast as well. Fans were chanting “we want Lane” in the stands, belts were slapping, and it was a great night in Oxford.
With Alabama’s loss to Oklahoma, Ole Miss will likely move up a spot in the CFP rankings come Tuesday night. There is now a bye week where maybe more chaos could happen and better the Rebels chances. It is a special season in the SEC however where it will take the final weekend of football to decide who goes to the SEC Championship and put the finishing touches on its CFP resume.
Its now only the Egg Bowl remaining on the schedule against the 5-6 Mississippi State Bulldogs in Starkville. It goes without saying all the implications of that game. Enjoy the damn win for today, watch some NFL, drink some cold ones and maybe even put up some Christmas lights. The Rebels are 10-1 and its a damn good time to be a Rebel.
