Kewan Lacy Bursts onto Scene with 3 TDs in Ole Miss Debut: ‘I can’t wait to just keep getting better every day’
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss football begins the 2025 season with a victory, beating Georgia State 63-17 at the Vaught.
Although it was a bit of a slow start for the offense, which saw quarterback Austin Simmons throw two interceptions the first quarter, the Rebels rebounded and led 25-7 at halftime. They scored three touchdowns, including a brilliant pass from Simmons to find tight end Dae’Quan Wright.
Running back Kewan Lacy made his first start as a Rebel, finishing the game with 108 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries, the first three scores of his career in his first-ever start.
KEWAN LACY BREAKS FREE!
He has THREE touchdowns tonight 🔥@OleMissFB pic.twitter.com/EDJ30330gC
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) August 31, 2025
Lacy impressed head coach Lane Kiffin with his performance.
“Yeah it was awesome. I mean, I just tell you how it is,” Kiffin began at the postgame press conference.”
“We didn’t have that a year ago. And so it’s really good to have it back. I was looking forward to that, you know, kind of thinking he was going to play like that because that’s how he practices and he’s got a unique skill set of speed and power. So it’s great to see that a ball can break and go score and not get caught. Makes it a lot easier not to call more plays afterwards. So that was great to see.“
Lane Kiffin on Kewan Lacy
Kewan Lacy Scores First College Touchdown
After leading just 7-0 at the end of the first quarter, the Rebels scored 18 points in the second, with two touchdowns coming from Lacy, both short-yardage scores. Not only was he was playing his first game for the Rebels after transferring from Missouri, the sophomore scored his first college touchdown. He was asked about his feelings after the milestone.
“It was great. Just experienced it with my teammates. You know, we had a tough fall camp, and being able to come out there and play a new opponent felt good.”
Kewan Lacy
Ole Miss really got moving into top gear in the second half, adding five more touchdowns. One more of those went the way of Lacy, a 42-yard run to start the third quarter. The Texas native had a 100-yard rushing game, and alongside his three scores, was the most productive back on the team, notching double the carries of the next running back.
Taking it One Game at a Time
Lacy clearly had a fantastic game and has Ole Miss fans excited for what’s to come. He was underutilized at Missouri last season, and Lane Kiffin and his staff knew what they would be getting after having heavily recruited Lacy out of high school.
Wearing jersey No. 5, Lacy was asked about his performance, and despite him being pleased, he still has more he can do to improve.
“It just proves to me I can play at this level. I still have to get better, still work every day, and just go 1-0.“
Kewan Lacy
Lacy was asked what he thought of the performance of the Rebels’ offensive line.
“I think they looked great out there. So I just can’t wait to just keep getting better every day, go 1-0.”
Kewan Lacy on the offensive line
Alongside Logan Diggs, who rushed for 91 yards on 7 carries against the Panther, Ole Miss could now have a tandem at running back that poses a real problem for opposing teams.
maybe someday @kewanlacy22 pic.twitter.com/r4Ehhoq39F
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) August 31, 2025
Next up, it’s SEC play, as the Rebels head to Kentucky Saturday, September 6, looking to go 2-0.
Jordan Merritt
Jordan is a freelance writer who covers sports, games, and more. A United Kingdom native, he covers everything Ole Miss for The Rebel Walk. He has written for several publications, including Athlon Sports, On SI, Fansided, and others. Away from writing, he loves spending time with his family and watching films and TV series.
