No. 5 Mississippi Falls to No. 9 Georgia in Heartbreaking 43-35 Loss

UPDATE: In a stunning turn of events, the No. 5 Mississippi Rebels fell to the No. 9 Georgia Bulldogs 43-35 on October 14, 2023, despite leading by nine points heading into the fourth quarter. This defeat marks a significant setback for head coach Lane Kiffin and his team, who were seeking to build on last season’s victory over Georgia.

The Rebels started strong, scoring touchdowns on their first five possessions, and appeared poised to secure a crucial road win. However, a devastating fourth-quarter collapse saw Georgia outscore Mississippi 17-0, dashing the Rebels’ hopes of back-to-back wins against the Bulldogs.

“I told my guys this is exactly what you want,” Kiffin stated post-game. “Going into the fourth quarter, you are up two scores at Georgia, the chance to beat Georgia two years in a row. Unfortunately, we did not do things, did not function on offense after five drives and five touchdowns.”

Mississippi’s loss drops their record to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the Southeastern Conference. While the defeat may hinder their immediate playoff aspirations, it does not eliminate their chances for a successful season. However, the Rebels now face a daunting challenge ahead as they prepare for another Top 25 matchup against No. 14 Oklahoma next week.

Georgia, improving to 6-1 and 4-1 in the SEC, displayed an impressive offensive performance, amassing 510 yards of total offense. The Bulldogs executed crucial plays in the final quarter, including a nine-play, 67-yard touchdown drive that shifted the momentum entirely in their favor.

Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, making his first career FBS road start, showed promise early in the game with 262 passing yards on 18-of-26 passing. However, his performance faltered in the fourth quarter as he completed just 1-of-10 passes. Mississippi’s offense struggled significantly, gaining only 13 yards on their final 11 snaps, leading to back-to-back three-and-out possessions at a critical juncture.

“I just have to be better,” Chambliss admitted. “I have to have better ball placement. I missed some throws that were crucial. I just have to be better in the fourth quarter.”

This loss highlights the ongoing challenges for Kiffin’s squad, who are now 0-4 in road games against top-10 opponents under his leadership. As the Rebels regroup for their next matchup, fans and analysts will be watching closely to see if they can bounce back from this heart-wrenching defeat.

Stay tuned for further updates on Mississippi’s season as they aim to regain momentum and push towards their goals in the SEC and the College Football Playoff.