Lane Kiffin returned to Oxford surrounded by anger, security, and one of the loudest crowds of the college football season. Ole Miss sent its former coach home with his first loss at LSU after a game that nearly slipped away.
No. 8 Ole Miss beat No. 7 LSU 32 to 24 at Vaught Hemingway Stadium, surviving a furious second half comeback and sealing the victory with an interception in the end zone during the final minute.
The Rebels built a 24 to 7 halftime lead, watched LSU score 17 unanswered points to tie the game, then turned to Trinidad Chambliss for the drive that decided it.
Ole Miss controlled the first half
Oxford had waited months for Kiffin's return after he left Ole Miss for LSU following the 2025 regular season. The home crowd made its feelings clear from the moment he entered the stadium, and the Rebels matched that emotion on the field.
Ole Miss opened a 17 to 0 lead behind Kewan Lacy's touchdown run and scoring passes from Chambliss to Traylon Ray and Deuce Alexander. LSU finally answered with a long touchdown drive capped by Dilin Jones, but Chambliss needed less than two minutes to strike again before halftime.
His 20 yard touchdown pass to Alexander with five seconds remaining sent Ole Miss into the locker room ahead by 17. The Rebels had controlled the pace, created explosive plays, and pushed LSU to the edge of a blowout.
LSU turned it into a fight
The game changed immediately after halftime. Ja'Keem Jackson intercepted Chambliss and gave LSU a short field. Sam Leavitt finished the possession with a touchdown run, then found Winston Watkins Jr. for a 26 yard score late in the third quarter.
A Scott Starzyk field goal completed LSU's comeback and tied the game at 24. Ole Miss had gone from complete control to needing an answer in the fourth quarter.
Chambliss delivered it. The Ole Miss quarterback directed a 74 yard drive and finished it himself, faking a handoff before racing 14 yards to the left pylon. The Rebels added the two point conversion and moved ahead 32 to 24 with just over six minutes remaining.
One final chance ends at the goal line
LSU still had time and drove 69 yards to the Ole Miss 6. The Tigers reached fourth and goal with 1:03 remaining, giving Kiffin one final chance to silence his former stadium.
Leavitt's pass was deflected by Kam Franklin and intercepted in the end zone by Jaylon Braxton. The play ended LSU's comeback, set off a celebration in Oxford, and allowed Chambliss to take the final kneel downs.
Chambliss completed 33 of 48 passes for 363 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Ray caught seven passes for 115 yards and a touchdown. Ole Miss finished with 426 total yards and improved to 3 and 0 overall with a 1 and 0 record in the SEC.
LSU produced 330 total yards. Leavitt threw for 158 yards with one touchdown and one interception while adding 63 rushing yards and another score. Jones carried 23 times for 106 yards and a touchdown. The Tigers fell to 2 and 1 overall and 0 and 1 in conference play.
Oxford gets its revenge
The night carried more emotion than a normal September game. Ole Miss fans spent months waiting for the coach who left them to return wearing LSU purple. Their team gave them every possible feeling along the way.
The Rebels dominated the first half, surrendered the entire lead, rebuilt it under pressure, and made one final stand at the goal line. When the celebration began, fireworks filled the sky and Callin' Baton Rouge played through the stadium.
Kiffin's return had the drama. Ole Miss had the final word.