Rapid Reaction: Complete Team Effort Lifts Ole Miss to 34–26 Victory at Oklahoma
OXFORD, Miss. — What a game in Norman as Ole Miss defeated Oklahoma Saturday, 34-26. It was truly a complete all-around game from all three facets of the Rebels’ game, offense, defense and special teams.
Trinidad Chambliss proved today that he is one of the most phenomenal playmakers in the country, and the Rebels rebounded to make big play after big play on a Heisman trophy candidate at quarterback.
Trinidad got the ball to eight different receivers, including to true freshman Winston Watkins who led the team with 111 yards on four receptions.
The offense committed no turnovers and the defense notched its first safety since 2022. Kewan Lacy rushed for 78 hard-fought yards against the No. 1 defense in the nation — in their house.
The defensive line applied pressure on the Oklahoma quarterback, recorded tackles for losses off the edges, and covered short, intermediate, and the deep ball extraordinarily well. Princewill Umanmielen led the team with six total tackles, one solo, along with 2 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Suntarine Perkins recorded five total tackles, along with 1.5 TFL. Kam Franklin also recorded four total tackles, one sack, and 1.5 TFL.
The Ole Miss offensive line had an outstanding day, leading the way for five scores in five red zone opportunities and going 4-for-4 in goal-to-go efficiency. They only allowed one sack of Chambliss in a game that saw 46 pass attempts by the Rebels.
This game was won in the trenches with an excellent running game by the Rebels and a shut-down of the Oklahoma Sooners’ rushing attack. If you take away the one long run of 65 yards from OU, they tallied only 71 rushing the entirety of the game.
The punt team also recorded a huge turnover as Oklahoma was about to get the ball at midfield when Trace Bruckler forced the fumble and Ethan Fields made the recovery on the return. This led to the Rebels’ final scoring margin after the ensuing field goal. It was a five-point game with OU showing a lot of momentum before the recovery, and after the special teams play and field goal, it was Ole Miss by eight.
The Ole Miss coaches and the quarterback made comments all week that they needed to finish games, and they did exactly that in Norman, Oklahoma, earning the first SEC road win over a ranked team in Lane Kiffin’s tenure in Oxford.
David Walker
David Walker was named Louisiana’s High School Player of the Year at just 16 years old and, at 17, became college football’s first quarterback to earn Freshman of the Year honors. He remains the NCAA’s youngest-ever starting quarterback, a distinction that has stood for decades.
Transitioning from a wide-open high school offense to Emory Bellard’s renowned wishbone triple option, Walker excelled as a dual-threat quarterback. He graduated as Texas A&M’s all-time winningest quarterback and served as a two-time team captain, helping to transform a program that had endured 15 losing seasons in the previous 16 years.
After his playing career, Walker coached and taught algebra at six Texas high schools before moving into private business. In 2011, he published his memoir, “I’ll Tell You When You’re Good,” a title inspired by the coaching philosophy of Shannon Suarez, the Sulphur High and Louisiana High School Hall of Fame coach who was a significant influence on Walker’s life and career.
Walker’s compelling storytelling in his autobiography reflects the breadth of his experiences in high school and college football, and it is an undeniable fact that he saw more action than any athlete in the history of the NCAA. Since 2013, he has contributed to The Rebel Walk, sharing his insights and expertise with readers.
