Ole Miss survives Arkansas 41-35 in another instant classic
OXFORD, Miss. — Former Division II quarterback Trinidad Chambliss stepped into the spotlight and delivered for Ole Miss, leading the Rebels to a 41-35 win over Arkansas in another instant classic in the rivalry series.
“I thought that our guys finished the game really well. It wasn’t perfect….at the end of the day we said on the headset ‘bend don’t break’.”
~ Lane Kiffin on the win
Cooked up a W 🥓#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/qa8y2Bta64
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 14, 2025
After a week of speculation about who would start at quarterback, it was Ferris State transfer Chambliss who trotted onto the field for the opening drive.
“It was a long time coming. Everyone’s journey and process is different. I would just say work hard, follow God, listen to your parents, stay in school and just do the right things and it will come to light. Do your job — it will be okay.”
~ Chambliss on his journey to Ole Miss
Arkansas opened the game by driving past midfield but was forced to try a 51-yard field goal. Scott Starzyk’s kick missed wide, setting Ole Miss up at its own 33.
Chambliss made an immediate impact. After a few short runs moved the chains, the senior connected with Kewan Lacy and Cayden Lee on back-to-back completions to push deep into Razorback territory. A couple of rushes and a pass interference call set up a 2-yard touchdown run by Lacy to give the Rebels a 7-0 lead.
Another week.
Another Kewan TD. 😎@kewanlacy22 x #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/Ec36XVXCxh— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 13, 2025
Arkansas answered with a methodical seven-minute drive, capped by Taylen Green’s 30-yard touchdown pass to O’Mega Blake to tie the score at 7-all. Chambliss responded in a hurry, hitting a wide open Lee for a 62-yard gain to close the first quarter. Two plays later, Chambliss scrambled for a 2-yard touchdown to put Ole Miss back on top 14-7.
There he goessss🍯@Cayden_X_Lee x #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/OIDaWZw5Fn
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 13, 2025
GIVE HIM 6 ‼️@TrinidadChambl1 x #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/KPYsrV8eRG
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 13, 2025
Although, the Razorbacks stuck fast again, needing just three plays to tie the game back up with Mike Washington breaking free for a 47-yard touchdown run. Ole Miss struck right back as Chambliss found Dae’Quan Wright for a 64-yard catch-and-run to the goal line before punching it in himself from a yard out for his second rushing score of the night.
SIX FOR SIX PT. 2 🔥@TrinidadChambl1 x #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/O2poiw3GKM
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 14, 2025
Arkansas kept pace with another long drive, this time ending with Braylen Russell’s goal-line touchdown run to make it 21-21.
On the ensuing drive, Chambliss injured his hand and was briefly replaced by Austin Simmons, who also hurt his ankle on a rush on his first play from scrimmage. Still, Simmons delivered a wide-open touchdown pass to Harrison Wallace III before exiting.
He was 𝟐 open.#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/73azCe6T8s
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 14, 2025
“A helmet just hit my hand, a small cut but I will be fine,” Chambliss said of his injury.
Arkansas tied the game at 28 with a quick two-minute drive, using a 35-yard gain on a pass to Washington to get them there. But Chambliss returned in time to lead Ole Miss across midfield with serveral intermediate throws. Lucas Carneiro drilled a 36-yard field goal as time expired in the half to give the Rebels a 31-28 lead.
The Rebels punted for the first time to open the second half, but the defense forced an Arkansas punt to answer. Chambliss then orchestrated a 93-yard drive, connecting with Wallace for a 40-yard strike on a beautiful route but a plethora of penalties took away multiple touchdown plays. Later, Chambliss hit De’Zhaun Stribling on a 6-yard slant to extend the lead to 38-28.
going DOWNTOWN 🌃#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/dyV4XJVyor
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 14, 2025
One ticket to Strib City plz 🎟️@Dezhaunthegreat x #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/OYVXUwljtJ
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 14, 2025
The Ole Miss defense bent again but didn’t fully break. Arkansas drove into Ole Miss territory but the Landshark defense stuffed a run, dropped Green for a loss then broke up a pass. Starzyk then missed another long field goal attempt as the Rebels stayed up 10.
Chambliss and Deuce Alexander sparked the Rebels to open the fourth quarter, with Alexander hauling in a Dayton Wade-like catch for a 35-yard gain. Carneiro capped the drive with a 23-yard field goal to push the lead to 41-28 with 10:55 to play.
Still, Arkansas would not give in. Washington scored his second rushing touchdown of the night to cut the deficit to six with under five minutes remaining.
Ole Miss went three-and-out, giving Arkansas a final chance. Green would connect with Blake and Jalen Brown to move the Razorbacks into striking distance, but linebacker TJ Dottery ripped the ball away from Brown at the Ole Miss 24. Wydett Williams Jr. pounced on the fumble to seal the game and the Vaught crowd erupted.
GIVE THE BALL TO THE REBS !!!!!#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/RxTNkGgQrV
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 14, 2025
Chambliss and Lacy then picked up first downs on the ground to run out the clock, icing another heart-stopping Ole Miss-Arkansas battle. Chambliss completed 21 of 29 passes for 353 yards and three total touchdowns in his first career start, also leading the Rebels in rushing with 62 yards.
“It’s just a factor. We saw it on his game tape and in scrimmages in the stadium…he just found a way to have some magic about him.”
~ Kiffin on Chambliss having the ‘IT’ factor
Kameron Wicker
Kam is an Ole Miss alumnus with a degree in Journalism. Even though he's from Delhi, Louisiana, that didn't stop Kam from growing up a diehard Ole Miss fan. He's a sports guru who watches and follows all sports at all times. He lettered four years in football and baseball in high school and is an avid Saints, Pelicans, and Astros fan. He currently resides in Gulf Shores, Alabama where he works full-time as a sports editor.
