Ole Miss Edges Georgia in Dramatic Sugar Bowl Finish After Officials Demand Final Second Be Played
NEW ORLEANS, La. — In a Sugar Bowl clash that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final second, Ole Miss secured a 39-34 victory over Georgia on Thursday night, thanks to a clutch 47-yard field goal by Lucas Carneiro with just six seconds remaining. The game, part of the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, featured a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback and a rare delay in celebrations as officials insisted the final second be played out.
Ole Miss, seeded No. 6 in the CFP, overcame a 10-point deficit late in the fourth quarter. After trailing 34-24 with just over nine minutes left, the Rebels rallied, with quarterback Trinidad Chambliss orchestrating a critical 40-yard pass that set up Carneiro’s game-winning kick. Georgia, the No. 3 seed, responded late with a touchdown pass from Gunner Stockton to Zachariah Branch and a short field goal by Peyton Woodring to tie the game with under a minute remaining.
Following Carneiro’s successful field goal, Ole Miss appeared to have clinched the victory. However, the celebrations were interrupted when officials awarded Ole Miss a safety on the ensuing kickoff after Georgia’s return team attempted a risky cross-field lateral that struck the pylon. Players and coaches began to rush the field in jubilation, only to be called back to their sidelines as officials demanded Georgia kick off again with one second left on the clock.
Georgia managed to recover an onside kick, preserving that final second. The Rebels resumed their celebrations, with head coach Pete Golding even receiving a Gatorade bath. But the drama was not over. Officials once again insisted the final second be played, prompting stadium staff to retract the winner’s stage that had been moved onto the field.
On the final play, Georgia executed a series of laterals in a desperate attempt to score, but the play ultimately fizzled out after several tense seconds, allowing Ole Miss to finally celebrate their hard-fought victory. This win propels Ole Miss (13-1) into the CFP semifinal against Miami at the Fiesta Bowl next Thursday.
The Sugar Bowl’s thrilling finish stood in stark contrast to the earlier CFP quarterfinal games at the Orange and Rose Bowls, which were decided by more lopsided margins. The game showcased the resilience and determination of both teams, with Ole Miss’s late surge and composure under pressure earning them a spot among college football’s elite.
For more details about the College Football Playoff structure and upcoming games, visit the official College Football Playoff website. The Sugar Bowl is hosted annually at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, a venue managed by the Caesars Superdome official site.
Ole Miss’s victory also highlights the coaching prowess of Pete Golding, who has led the Rebels through a remarkable season. The NCAA’s official site provides comprehensive coverage and statistics for the ongoing college football season at NCAA Football.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as Ole Miss prepares to face Miami in what promises to be another intense semifinal matchup. For updates on game times and ticket information, the Fiesta Bowl official website offers the latest resources.
As the College Football Playoff continues, the drama and excitement of college football’s postseason remain at an all-time high, with Ole Miss’s thrilling Sugar Bowl victory standing out as one of the most memorable moments of the 2025-2026 season.
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