I hope you’re not all as hungover as I am today. Hotty Toddy Gosh Almighty, Ole Miss just threw one helluva party.
The No. 6 seeded Rebels (12-1) started fast and blew out No. 11 Tulane (11-3) 41-10 on Saturday in the first round of the College Football Playoff. With more than 68,000 fans in attendance, the big question of how this team would perform under new head coach Pete Golding was put to bed in its first seven offensive plays.
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Ole Miss scored the fastest touchdown in CFP history with a three play, 59 second touchdown to open the game. Then after an interception on Tulane’s first possession, took the ball down the field again for a touchdown in only four plays to lead 14-0.
At this point, there was somewhat of a lull you could say, but the party was fully on in the stadium. Santa hats, red pom poms, a drone show, helicopter flyovers, Trace Adkins, and an absence of a basketball goal on the sideline were all highlights of an incredible atmosphere in Oxford for a well deserved home playoff game.
Trinidad Chambliss passed for 282 yards on 23 of 29 passing and a touchdown and added two rushing touchdowns on 36 yards rushing. Kewan Lacy led all rushers with 87 yards and a touchdown but did not play a significant portion of the game with an apparent shoulder injury.
Deuce Alexander led all receivers with seven catches for 87 yards while De’Zhaun Stribling had five catches for 79 yards and the only touchdown from Chambliss. After all the talk about Lane Kiffin’s offense, Pete Golding made it clear whose offense it really was in the postgame.
Ole Miss’ defense held the Green Wave to only 115 yards rushing and only 3.4 yards per carry, but it was susceptible in the passing game with more than 300 yards allow through the air. The difference maker however was holding Tulane to 0/4 on fourth down tries and creating three turnovers with two fumbles and a pick.
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Next up, its another rematch and this time a chance for some revenge. Ole Miss will travel five or so hours south to New Orleans for the CFP Quarterfinals in the Sugar Bowl against Georgia. The Rebels only loss of the season came at the hands of the Bulldogs in a dramatic fourth quarter comeback.
The Sugar Bowl will kick off on Jan. 1 at 7 p.m. and the early odds are -6.5 in favor of Georgia.
