Ole Miss Tops LSU in SEC Showdown

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 20, 2026

Ole Miss defeated LSU 32-24 in a tightly contested SEC game highlighted by quarterback Trinidad Chambliss’s 363 passing yards and a decisive fourth-quarter touchdown run. The victory keeps Ole Miss undefeated in conference play and underscores LSU’s struggles adapting under new head coach Lane Kiffin amid key injuries and a late-game turnover.

Ole Miss secured a 32-24 victory over LSU in a highly anticipated Southeastern Conference matchup on Saturday night in Oxford, Mississippi. The game marked Lane Kiffin’s return to the state as LSU’s head coach and featured a standout performance from Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who passed for 363 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for the decisive score in the fourth quarter.

Ole Miss took a commanding 24-7 lead by halftime, but LSU mounted a strong second-half comeback. LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt led the charge, passing for 153 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 63 yards and a score. His 4-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter narrowed the gap to 24-14 after Chambliss threw an interception on the Rebels’ third play of the second half, which was returned to Ole Miss territory. Leavitt later connected on a 26-yard touchdown pass to Winston Watkins Jr., an Ole Miss transfer, cutting the deficit to three points entering the final quarter.

LSU’s comeback attempt was bolstered by defensive pressure from safety Ty Benefield, who forced the interception that set up scoring opportunities. However, the Tigers were hampered by injuries, including the loss of top running back Kewan Lacy in the first half due to a shoulder injury and star tight end Trey’Dez Green, who exited with a knee injury during a critical drive late in the game.

Trailing 32-24 in the closing minutes, LSU advanced to the Ole Miss 6-yard line with a chance to tie or take the lead. On critical fourth down, Leavitt’s pass to tight end Zach Grace was deflected off the defender’s helmet and intercepted by Ole Miss defensive end Kam Franklin in the end zone, sealing the victory for the Rebels.

Chambliss capped the game-winning drive with a 14-yard touchdown run, outpacing LSU’s defense and securing an eight-point lead after a successful two-point conversion. The conversion involved drawing LSU offside twice before running a half-yard direct snap to JT Lindsey.

Ole Miss improved to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in SEC play, while LSU fell to 2-1 overall and 0-1 in the conference. The game represented Ole Miss’s second consecutive win over LSU, both occasions featuring Chambliss’s pivotal role. The matchup also attracted attention off the field as Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill attended pregame activities, reflecting local interest tied to recent changes in LSU’s athletic department and Kiffin’s hire.

The contest underscored significant momentum swings and demonstrated the challenges LSU faces adapting under new leadership, while Ole Miss continued to build on a strong start to their season.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.