Postgame Reaction | Quick Thoughts on Ole Miss’ 34-24 win over Florida
OXFORD, Miss. — Tonight’s Ole Miss game against the Florida Gators didn’t go quite as everyone expected; although, the Rebels did ultimately win, 34-24. But Ole Miss had entered the game as two-score favorites, and, yes, that is where it ended…but it was far closer for much of the game than anyone thought it would be. Fortunately, the Rebels beat the Gators and now move to 10-1 on the season with a very real shot at the college football playoffs.
As for Florida, they have now gone 0-5 in true road games this year, tying the winless 1979 team under Charley Pell, This one, however, was the first road game in which they’ve covered a spread. They’re also now 0-for-their-last-8 in back-to-back true road games.
This game developed into what we’ve seen so consistently this season — a tightly played, one-score fourth-quarter game that was up in the air until close to the end.
We can go back to Kentucky, Arkansas, LSU, practically every SEC game that Ole Miss has played this season, and all but one have come down to a huge fourth quarter stop or a takeaway — or a big, clinching score.
In these kinds of games where it’s come down to fourth quarter dynamics, the Rebels are now 7-1 this year in one-score, fourth-quarter games. That is remarkable. Against Florida, it was the second time this season Ole Miss has come from behind in the fourth quarter, the other being at Oklahoma. Last season, the Rebels managed to WIN only one game out of four that was a one-score game in the fourth quarter. Basically, the 2024 team had trouble finishing. This 2025 Ole Miss team is a different beast. They are as clutch as we’ve seen on both sides of the ball.
Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss made some beautiful, ultra-important throws to keep drives alive in the win over Florida. The receivers were brilliant, settling into the cracks in the defense and turning short passes into big gainers. The passing game surpassed 300 yards once more, despite an uncharacteristic five sacks.
Kewan Lacy had an exceptional night — record-breaking, even — running the football, gaining every yard humanly possible. He finished with 224 yards on 31 carries. He scored three touchdowns and broke the all-time single-season touchdown record at Ole Miss. The record had been 16, so his three TDs put him far above the pack, both in the SEC and the nation.
The defense, as it’s done before so many times this season, shut the Gators’ offense down almost completely in the second half. They gave up 24 points in the first half, and things looked a little bleak. But defensive coordinator Pete Golding made some adjustments that allowed his unit to hold Florida scoreless in the third and fourth.
In many ways, it was a repeat of previous SEC games played this season, but this time the Rebels defense got the second half shutout. It’s the first time this season since the season opening Georgia State game that they’ve done so.
Pivotal completions, a solid running game, and great defense when it counted were once again the key components to yet another win for the Ole Miss Rebels.
The Rebels now turn their attention to a November 28 matchup against Mississippi State in Starkville in the annual Egg Bowl.
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.
