Ole Miss rolls past Tulane in CFP debut after Lane Kiffin’s departure
Golding guides Rebels to 41-10 win as Tulane falls in first-round playoff matchup; Ole Miss advances to Sugar Bowl against Georgia

OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss rolled to a 41-10 victory over Tulane in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, sealing a postseason win under a shadow of leadership change. Lane Kiffin had departed for LSU before kickoff, and Ole Miss promoted defensive coordinator Pete Golding to head coach for the playoff game, guiding a team that carried a wary optimism through a high-stakes start to the postseason.
Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss’ quarterback, received treatment on the field and was sidelined during the Rebels’ final first-half series. He was evaluated for a concussion and cleared. He re-entered for Ole Miss’ first possession of the third quarter and finished with one passing touchdown and two rushing scores, showcasing his dual-threat ability as the Rebels built a double-digit lead that stretched into the second half.
Tulane quarterback Jake Retzlaff orchestrated an offense that moved the ball at times but could not keep pace, as Ole Miss maintained control throughout. Retzlaff finished with 306 yards passing and a touchdown, but Tulane’s non-Power Five status was underscored by a record this season that left the Green Wave on the outside looking in during CFP selection. The loss leaves non-Power Five programs at 0-3 in CFP games this year, with James Madison remaining the lone non-P5 team in the field after its own comeback effort in the other first-round game. The Rebels’ margin of victory echoed their earlier 45-10 win over Tulane in the regular season, a reminder of how quickly Ole Miss can surge when its plan comes together.
Kiffin’s request to stay on through the playoffs while simultaneously serving as LSU’s coach agent added a layer of complexity to the week leading to kickoff. Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter denied the request, allowing Golding to coach the Rebels in the playoff environment. The day itself was a test of leadership transition, a moment that could define the program’s immediate future as it heads toward the Sugar Bowl. 
Ole Miss advanced to the CFP quarterfinals and will meet Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day. Tulane’s Jon Sumrall, who has accepted the Florida job to succeed Billy Napier, was allowed to coach the Green Wave in this playoff appearance before moving on to Gainesville. The contrasting paths for the two programs highlighted the volatility and resilience of college football’s coaching market as the season concludes. 
In Mississippi’s Grove, the scene underscored a program navigating leadership change yet maintaining competitive focus on the field. Chambliss’ performance, the Rebels’ defensive effort, and Ole Miss’ ability to convert in the red zone contributed to a convincing playoff-opening win, even as questions about how the team would function with new leadership lingered. Golding’s first game as head coach showcased the staff’s readiness to manage high-stakes moments, and the Rebels took a clear step toward proving they could sustain postseason momentum into 2026. The victory also put a spotlight on Tulane’s fight and the broader implications for non-Power Five programs in the playoff era, a narrative that will be discussed alongside the season’s usual headlines as teams recalibrate for the next round of games.
As the Sugar Bowl looms, Ole Miss will aim to leverage this win into a deeper March toward a national championship bid, while Tulane looks to build on a strong season that included a high-profile postseason appearance under Sumrall’s continued leadership in the interim. The CFP landscape remains as dynamic as ever, with coaching changes, player development, and strategic adjustments shaping outcomes in the most consequential games of the year.