Gamer: Ole Miss survives on the road, beats Kentucky 30-23

LEXINGTON — Following another strong performance from running back Kewan Lacy and a stellar defensive performance, Ole Miss got its payback against Kentucky in Lexington, defeating the Wildcats 30-23 to start the season 2-0.

First-half action

Things started off as ugly as possible for quarterback Austin Simmons and the Ole Miss offense. With two interceptions in the first quarter, and limited connections with receivers, Simmons, in his first start in an SEC game, saw Kentucky jump on the opportunities.

Following the first interception, the Wildcats would take the lead, 7-0, with 1:55 to go in the first quarter on a 9-yard run from Seth McGowan. Kentucky would shut out the Ole Miss offense, 7-0, in the first quarter.

The Wildcats scored again soon, this time on a 33-yard field goal following Simmons’ second interception, They would take a 10-0 lead with 14:17 in the second quarter.

Simmons, however, would quickly put his miscues behind him in the second quarter, and the Rebels would go on a 17-6 run. Wide receiver Harrison Wallace made the most of every opportunity he was given.

On a huge fourth and one play call, Simmons would drop back and connect with Wallace for a 55-yard gain, placing the Rebels on the one-yard line.

Ole Miss with a huge play on 4th down to set up the TD run and keep this game close. Harrison Wallace racked up 36 YAC pic.twitter.com/R66vFZI6zT

— Jarodactyl (@JarodactylYT) September 6, 2025

Lacy would then drive the ball into the end zone for Ole Miss, etching the Rebels’ first points of the game on the scoreboard.

Too easy for Kewan 🔑#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/57r8Z7kjAa

— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 6, 2025

The Wildcats still led, 10-7, but things were looking up for Ole Miss.

After an impressive series from the Ole Miss defense, Simmons would lead the Rebels down the field, with a huge 15-yard run to the one-yard line. Troy transfer Damien Taylor would drive it over the line, putting the Rebels up 14-10 with 8:24 to go before halftime.

After some back-and-forth series, Kentucky would get back on the scoreboard with a 31-yard field goal from Jacob Kauwe. Ole Miss led 14-13 with 4:31 remaining in the second.

The Rebels marched down the field with some impressive plays from Lacy. But when the drive stalled, Ole Miss would extend its lead to 17-13 with a 43-yard kick from Lucas Carneiro. The Rebs went into the half with a four point lead.

In the first half, Ole Miss accumulated 113 more total yards than the Wildcats as wide receivers Deuce Alexander and Harrison Wallace combined for 146 receiving yards.

Second-half action

Both offenses were stagnant to start the second half. The Wildcats would go three and out on their first drive. Ole Miss would also struggle after a drop from Stribling and an overthrow intended for Cayden Lee on third down, and the Rebels offense would quickly be forced to punt.

Soon, however, Simmons would find Wallace on a 43-yard strike, putting the Penn State transfer receiver over 100 receiving yards with 11 minutes left in the third quarter.

Have a day Trey ‼️#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/EWveavlIzn

— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 6, 2025

After two strong runs from Lacy, his third run would end up in the endzone, but would be brought back by a holding call on guard Patrick Kutas. The Rebels would have to settle for a field goal that gave them a 20-13 lead at the 8:48 mark in the third quarter.

Zach Calzada and his Wildcats would strike right back, though, as a wide open Ja’Mori Maclin would haul in a 43-yard catch, placing the ball on the 10 yard line of the Rebels.

Seth McGowan would go in untouched from the backfield, scoring a huge touchdown for Kentucky that tied the game at 20-20 as the Wildcats’ went 75 yards in six plays.

Neither team was backing down in this one. Ole Miss tight end Trace Bruckler would notch his first two catches of the season for Ole Miss, and Lacy continued his impressive day.

A designed quarterback run on third-and-one would see Simmons slice and dice the Wildcats defense and score a seven-yard rushing touchdown with 2:20 left in the third.

Turned on the wheels 🛞@austnsimmons | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/kQbY9pRgbn

— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 6, 2025

Ole Miss would head to the fourth quarter with a 27-20 lead.

On the Wildcats’ first drive of the fourth quarter, Zxavian Harris collected his second sack of the season, pushing Calzada back six yards.

Kentucky faced a fourth down, but an 18-yard completion to Kendrick Law, gave the ‘Cats the first down.

A holding call would push the Kentucky offense back, with Nick Cull coming up with a big stop for Ole Miss on third down and nine. Kentucky coach Mark Stoops and Wildcats fans were not happy, however, as they expected a pass interference call on that play.

Forced to attempt a fourth down on the drive, Calzada’s pass fell incomplete and Kentucky would not convert, giving Ole Miss the ball back with 7:50 to go in the game and the 27-20 lead.

On the next drive, Ole Miss would attempt three straight run plays, and Simmons would go down with an apparent ankle injury.

Cutter Boley would come in for Kentucky at QB, after Calzada left the game with an apparent shoulder injury.

Boley wasted no time attacking the Ole Miss defense, attempting a deep pass that saw TJ Dottery called for pass interference as Kentucky continued fighting.

But after an overthrow to the endzone by Boley and a tackle-for-loss from Will Echoles, the Rebels’ defense would shine on fourth down, as Princewill Umanmielen would record his first sack of the season with 4:11 left in the game.

Rebel defense gets the 4th down STOP 😤#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/StKDenDzOO

— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 6, 2025

Trinidad Chambliss would come into the game at QB for Ole Miss with 4:07 left to play and do a nice job. Some quick motion plays and a 33-yard rush from Lacy would move the Rebels’ offense past the 50-yard line.

After a holding call, Ole Miss looked to avoid turnovers and milk the clock. The Rebels ran the ball for the rest of the drive running the clock down to the 1:14 mark where Lucas Carneiro would make it a ten point lead for Ole Miss, 30-20.

CLUTCH.@lcarneiro99 gets the 36 yard FG to extend our lead!#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/YDYWhM9DyS

— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 6, 2025

Kentucky kept grinding. Boley completed a 38-yard pass to Hartley Gilmore that put the Wildcats on the Ole Miss 21. Kentucky kicked a 39-yard field goal that cut the lead to 30-23, Rebels, with eight seconds to go in the game.

The Wildcats would attempt an onside kick, but it was recovered by Cayden Lee for Ole Miss, and the Rebels would survive 30-23 against Kentucky in a scrappy game for both teams.

Next up, Ole Miss returns to Oxford to host the Arkansas Razorbacks Saturday.