The #6 seed Ole Miss Rebels defeated the #11 seed Tulane Green Wave 41-10 on Saturday afternoon inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi. The win for the Rebels advances them to the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals in the Allstate Sugar Bowl against #3 seed Georgia.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The game began with a quick-strike Ole Miss scoring drive, as the Rebels scored on just three plays. Kewan Lacy found the end zone as Ole Miss took a 7-0 lead.
Tulane drove the field on their first possession. However, Jake Retzlaff threw an interception. The Rebels scored on another quick-strike drive, this time with Trinidad Chambliss scoring to make it 14-0.
The Green Wave would settle down, forcing a few stops and converting on a field goal to make it 14-3. However, they failed to cash in their opportunities with touchdowns.
Ole Miss added a field goal to make it 17-3, and was driving towards the end of the half. Austin Simmons momentarily checked in for Chambliss due to injury, and Tulane forced a strip sack to keep the halftime score at 17-3.
The second half saw more of the same. Tulane was able to move the ball, but could not find their way into the end zone. Ole Miss, on the other hand, did a good job capitalizing when they got into scoring range. Chambliss would toss for another touchdown and Logan Diggs would run one in during the second half.
Chambliss would run for another score to put the bow on this game. Tulane did get a touchdown pass from Retzlaff in the late stages to finalize the 41-10 score.
BIG NUMBER: 3
On a day where the margins were going to be thin, Tulane knew they had to win the turnover battle. They did not, as they turned it over three times in the loss.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Trinidad Chambliss
The former Division II standout was excellent in this game. He accounted for three touchdowns, tossing for 282 yards and rushing for 36. He led the way for the Rebels in the victory.
UP NEXT: Ole Miss advances to face #3 seed Georgia in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on January 1st. Tulane sees their season come to an end.