From Playoff Breakthrough to Sugar Bowl Rematch: Trinidad Chambliss Looks Ahead

OXFORD, Miss. — The celebration at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium has faded, but the magnitude of Ole Miss’ first-ever College Football Playoff win still lingers as the Rebels shift their full focus to the Sugar Bowl. Ole Miss’ 41–10 victory over Tulane marked a historic breakthrough for the program, accomplished in front of a record-setting crowd of 68,251 in Oxford.

Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss led the way in the landmark win, throwing for 282 yards, rushing for 36 more, and accounting for three total touchdowns. In the days following the victory, Chambliss spoke with media about the moment, his journey to this stage, and the opportunity that now awaits against Georgia in New Orleans.

Meeting with the Mannings

Prior to the game against Tulane, legendary Ole Miss quarterback Archie Manning spoke to the team about the importance of this game. Eli Manning was also in attendance at the playoff matchup. Chambliss was asked about meeting both of them.

“Yeah, it was really cool to see and hear him (Archie) talk to the team. He had great words of encouragement. He’s got a ton of wisdom, so that’s really cool to get all the knowledge you can from him. And then I met Eli before the pregame. He seems like a really good guy. He’s taller than what I expected to be honest, but yeah, great that I finally got to meet them,” Chambliss explained. 

Playoff Game against Tulane

Chambliss had an extraordinary outing at the helm of the Ole Miss offense vs. the Green Wave. The quarterback offered his thoughts on the game and the doubters of this Ole Miss squad before the season started.

Trinidad on the game and preseason doubters

When asked about how the night was for him, Chambliss discussed the atmosphere and the quick, record-breaking opening drive to the game.

“It was amazing. The atmosphere it was, yeah, the juice was there for sure” he said. “The crowd was amazing. We executed really well. You know, first drive was I think three plays and 59 seconds was a college football playoff record. So it was good that we had an early start. So yeah, we we got a good start.”

Chambliss gave credit to Tulane for how they played in the game. “We knew Tulane was going to be a different team than when we played before. And you know, props to them. They played a great game. You know, very hard, physical team. They’re motor defensively. Number 15, the middle linebacker. All respect to him. He’s a really tough player.”

The win over Tulane in the first round of the playoffs was the first-ever for Pete Golding as head coach of the Rebels.

“…I’m happy for PG, man. I know it’s been kind of crazy and hectic, the last couple weeks. And I’m happy that he got his first win as a head coach, let alone a college football playoff win. So, that’s really cool to see,” Chambliss said. 

The Rebels’ QB was also thrilled for the fans.

That is really cool. And for it (the win) to be in Oxford, their first home college ball playoff appearance and first home game. It’s really cool and I’m happy for the fans and I’m happy for the city.” 

Personal Reflection and Waiver Status

Last season, Chambliss was a Division II quarterback at Ferris State who led his team to a National Championship before transferring to Ole Miss in the spring.

“It’s a surreal moment. If you would have said this before the season that I’d be the starting quarterback, and I’d get Ole Miss their first playoff victory, I’d be like, you’re crazy but it’s amazing,” said Chambliss after the win over Tulane. 

“I just got to give thanks to God because without Him, I mean, none of this is possible. Just also got to give thanks to Ole Miss and my team to be honest, too. Like, we’ve been through a lot of adversity and glad that we got the win,” he added. 

When asked if playing in the playoffs was something he had dreamed of, Trinidad reflected on the sacrifice and hard work it took to get this far.

Trinidad Chambliss on his dreams

Chambliss was asked if he had ever considered giving up on his dream.

“Oh, I guess you could say so,” Chambliss began. “Like me being at Ferris State earlier on in my career, I was definitely contemplating if football was for me. I redshirted the first two years. First year was my freshman year and the second year was my actually medical redshirt. So, I was like, dang, like I haven’t played a sport in two years. Like, should I really play or should I transfer to play basketball maybe? Yeah, there was doubt that the dream of me playing division one football at the highest level was there. So, I’m glad that it didn’t die.”

Chambliss is known for his strong relationship with his mom, and he explained how deep their bond is.

“Yeah, that’s my rock. My mom’s my best friend. I always text her about anything that I need, any little inconvenience that I have at home or just in life in general, and she’s just one phone call away and she’ll always pick up and yeah, she means the world to me,” said Chambliss, “To have my family instill that faith in me as a young child, I give thanks to them, my mom and my dad. But yeah, my mom, that’s my best friend. I don’t know where I would be without her to be honest.”

When asked about his waiver for another year of eligibility, Trinidad stated he has still not heard anything on the matter.

Chambliss replied, “I have not yet. We are still waiting to hear and yeah, we’ll see.”

On Austin Simmons

At the start of the season, Ole Miss quarterback Austin Simmons was the starter for the Rebels before suffering an ankle injury. This injury made way for Chambliss, who has been starting since the Arkansas game. Many quarterbacks in Simmons’ position would be disgruntled; however, Chambliss has spoken highly of his teammate’s efforts despite no longer being the starting quarterback.

“Yeah, credit to Austin,” Chambliss said. “Throughout the whole season, he’s been locked in. He’s been attentive to any meetings, anything going on in during the game. I give all my respect to to Austin because I know this year hasn’t been the easiest for him. He had a lot of preseason hype….that’s really hard for someone to go through. But yeah, all my respect to Austin, and he always is just locked in and I’m happy that he got that that conversion (when he came in against Tulane). I think it was a roll out to his left and threw it to Logan (Diggs) or the slot, I think. And great to see him get in there and he’s always ready and I always have trust in my guys if I go down.” 

Georgia in the Sugar Bowl

With the win over the Green Wave, Ole Miss now looks to the Sugar Bowl where they will matchup with the Georgia Bulldogs, the only team to hand the Rebels a loss this season in their 43-35 clash in Athens. Chambliss looks forward to having another shot against Georgia.

Chambliss on facing Georgia

What’s Next?

Ole Miss and Georgia face off in the Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on New Year’s night. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. CT.