Trinidad Chambliss has carved out an impressive record as the starting quarterback for Ole Miss, now at 3-0 following a hard-fought 24-19 victory over No. 4 LSU. The Ferris State transfer played a pivotal role in clinching the win, especially during the tense final minutes of the game.
With LSU cutting the lead to five with a touchdown run by Harlem Berry and little over five minutes left on the clock, Chambliss and the Ole Miss offense managed to hold onto the ball. A decisive fourth-down conversion late in the game, with less than two minutes remaining, sealed the victory. Chambliss connected with Dae’Quan Wright on a critical play that perfectly showcased his ability to handle pressure.
Chambliss initially stepped into the starting role after Ole Miss’ primary quarterback, Austin Simmons, sustained an ankle injury during a Week 2 matchup against Kentucky. In this crucial win against LSU, Chambliss went 23-of-39, throwing for 314 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, along with a commendable 71-yard gain on the ground across 14 carries. Despite Simmons being the designated starter when fit, Chambliss’ performance is clearly giving coach Lane Kiffin a reason to reconsider the quarterback lineup, demonstrating his capability at a high level of collegiate football.
Ole Miss orchestrated an impressive comeback after initially trailing 7-0. They scored 17 unanswered points in the first half, establishing a lead that LSU was unable to overcome. Logan Diggs contributed significantly by capping an 11-play, 75-yard drive with a touchdown that expanded the Rebels’ lead in the third quarter. For Diggs, this performance marks a continuation of his adaptation after previous stints at LSU and Notre Dame.
On the flipside, LSU’s offensive struggles have become a talking point. Their quarterback, Garrett Nussmeier, who had come into the season with Heisman expectations, has been below par, partly due to a lingering torso injury. His performance against Ole Miss—21 completions on 34 attempts for 197 yards, a touchdown, and an interception—coupled with an ineffective run game, underscores the difficulties LSU has faced. Coach Brian Kelly has alluded to Nussmeier’s injury hampering his performance. This injury, developed from extensive preseason practice, could be addressed during LSU’s upcoming bye in Week 6.
The Tigers are hopeful that Nussmeier’s recovery time, combined with the anticipated return of running back Caden Durham, can reignite an offense that has yet to click this season. LSU will seek to optimize their strategies to achieve the high-caliber performance expected of their team. Meanwhile, Ole Miss continues to build on its momentum, raising its profile with each win under backup quarterback Chambliss.