Mississippi Holds Off Washington State 24-21 in Homecoming Showdown

OXFORD, Miss. — Trinidad Chambliss threw for two touchdowns and ran for another score to lead Ole Miss to a 24-21 win over Washington State on Saturday during the Rebels’ Homecoming game.

With the victory, Ole Miss improved to 6-0 for the first time since 2022. The Rebels trailed 14-10 late in the third quarter but surged ahead with a 17-yard touchdown scramble by Chambliss.

Chambliss later tossed a 35-yard touchdown pass to Cayden Lee, extending the lead to 24-14 with just under seven minutes left. “I just told our players that we did get to 1-0 today and that’s the most important thing, but that was about the only good thing,” said Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin. “That performance was definitely not to our standard.”

Washington State, now 3-3, held leads twice during the game and had a late chance to tie. Zevi Eckhaus completed 24 of 31 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns, including one to Tony Freeman late in the fourth quarter that narrowed the gap to 24-21.

“Nobody can question our effort. I’m proud of that effort,” said Washington State coach Jimmy Rogers. Despite the loss, he noted, “There’s no moral victories. You win or you lose and nobody will care in a week how well we played.”

The Cougars were unable to score on their final possession, falling short as time expired. Ole Miss finished the game with 439 total yards, while Washington State had 345.

Both teams struggled on third downs, with Washington State converting just 20 percent of their chances, and Ole Miss staying solid against their defense.

Ole Miss will face No. 10 Georgia next, while Washington State will travel to No. 19 Virginia.