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The Ole Miss Rebels recently achieved a major milestone, concluding the regular season with the program’s first-ever 11-win season — a triumph secured by a hard-fought victory over arch-rival Mississippi State in the annual Egg Bowl. Head coach Lane Kiffin, celebrated for injecting explosive offensive talent and a fresh identity into the team, was the architect of this historic accomplishment. This win not only cemented Kiffin’s legacy as a successful builder in Oxford but also served as the final chapter of one of the most successful tenures in the school’s history.

However, the euphoria quickly gave way to dramatic upheaval. In a sudden and highly unexpected move that stunned the college football world, Kiffin departed Ole Miss for the LSU head coaching job, taking several key members of his coaching staff with him. This seismic shift occurred mere weeks before the Rebels are scheduled to compete in their first-ever College Football Playoff game, plunging the program into a frantic state of transition. The focus immediately turned from celebrating a historic season to stabilizing the team amid this crucial juncture.

Consequently, it will be under new permanent head coach Pete Golding that the No. 6 Rebels take the field this Saturday in Oxford when they host No. 11 Tulane . Golding, who was quickly promoted from defensive coordinator to the top role, will lead Ole Miss for the first time as they face the Green Wave in the opening round of the 2025 College Football Playoff. The highly-anticipated matchup against a formidable opponent will test the team’s resilience and focus, marking the beginning of a new, unexpected era for Ole Miss football in the highest-stakes game of its existence.

On the other side, the Green Wave are led by head coach Jon Sumrall, who will leave the team after the postseason to become the new head coach at Florida, another job Kiffin was rumored to be in the running for; unlike the LSU coach, Sumrall is allowed to coach his team to finish out the season. Tulane finished the regular season 11-2, destroying North Texas in the American Conference championship.

Throughout the season, Ole Miss was one of the best teams in college football, with an electric offense led by Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy. But, without their head coach, how will the Rebels respond?

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Ole Miss vs. Tulane football score

 

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6:22 p.m.: On 3rd & 9, Retzlaff rolls right and finds Johnny Pascuzzi right by the sticks. It goes for a first down

Ole Miss 34, Tulane 3

6:19 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: Ole Miss extends the lead to 31.

On the first play if the fourth, backup running back Logan Diggs bullies his way into the end zone. It’s a three-yard score.

It’s the Rebels’ seventh straight game with more than 30 points, as they are a quarter away from a date with Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.

End of the third quarter: Ole Miss 27, Tulane 3

6:14 p.m.: Now inside the red zone, Chambliss finds Cayden Lee, who takes it inside the five for a first down.

Ole Miss will have a 1st & goal to start the fourth quarter.

6:08 p.m.: The game keeps on getting worse and worse for Tulane.

Now, Retzlaff takes a trick play QB draw up the middle, but fumbles it right into the hands of TJ Dottery. 

It’s the third turnover of the game for an Ole Miss defense that had 10 the entire regular season.

6:06 p.m.: The Green Wave move the chains.

Here, Retzlaff finds Garrett Mmahat, who takes it 18 yards to the Tulane 47.

Ole Miss 27, Tulane 3

6:01 p.m.: One area Ole Miss has not been good in is third down conversions, and once again the Rebels don’t move the chains here.

Chambliss hits a receiver way short of the line, but Carneiro comes in to hit a field goal from 48 yards out.

Ole Miss leads by 24.

5:59 p.m.: Chambliss’ pass comes up incomplete on third down, but a pass interference penalty on Tulane keeps the drive going.

We’re now under six minutes in the third.

5:54 p.m.: On 4th &1, Retzlaff takes a sneak up the middle but fumbles it, and Ole Miss recovers.

This game is all Rebels, with Chambliss and co. taking over at midfield.

5:49 p.m.: Tulane moves the chains on third down, with Retzlaff connecting with Hayes ahead of the sticks.

With 8:38 remaining in the third the Green Wave have a new set of downs.

Ole Miss 24, Tulane 3

5:43 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: Ole Miss leads by 21 after another quick strike drive.

Here, Chambliss hits Stribling on a curl, and the receiver takes it in between defenders for a 13 yard touchdown. It’s Chambliss’ first passing touchdown and second total on the day.

To stay in the game, Tulane needs to score fast coming out of the break.

5:42 p.m.: The Rebels are inside the 20.

Chambliss has been surgical, and then once Ole Miss was past the 50 two Lacy carries brought the Rebels into the red zone.

5:40 p.m.: To start the drive, Chambliss completes a pass to the big Daequan Wright, who takes it 20 yards to the Ole Miss 40. 

The next play, Chambliss finds Trey Wallace for another first down.

5:36 p.m.: Though they got past midfield, the Green Wave can’t do anything after getting a new set of downs.

Three incomplete Retzlaff passes forces Tulane to punt back, and a touchback means Ole Miss will start at the 20.

Chambliss is back in the game.

5:35 p.m.: The Green Wave are across midfield after Brown-Stephens has his fifth reception of the game.

The drive started with No. 5 hauling in a 21-yard catch, and this one goes for four yards.

5:33 p.m.: Both Chambliss and Lacy are ready to go and will be on the field for Ole Miss’ next drive.

5:32 p.m.: Ole Miss has kicked off, and the second half is underway.

Down 14, Jake Retzlaff and the Tulane offense is looking to cut into the deficit.

5:29 p.m.: The second half is minutes away in Oxford.

Chambliss is warming up and looks ready to go.

Halftime: Ole Miss 17, Tulane 3

5:09 p.m.: Tulane got some plays off, but it’s 17-3 at halftime.

After the Rebels got off to a blazing 14-0 start, the game became a grudge match. Of course, the statuses of Lacy and Chambliss are ones to monitor, but both look alright.

Tulane gets the ball to start the second half.

5:04 p.m.: On 1st & goal, Simmons gets knocked down and fumbles the ball. Tulane recovers and comes up with a critical stop before the half.

5:02 p.m.: With Austin Simmons in the game for Chambliss, the quarterback connects with Alexander downfield. It goes for 17 yards and a first down.

The next play, he hits another receiver for 12 yards.

5:00 p.m.: Ole Miss is across the 50 after two Chambliss completions, and then the quarterback scrambles for another first down.

But, bad news for Ole Miss: the quarterback stays down and is being checked on by trainers.

4:59 p.m.: Kewan Lacy is having a productive game, but he gets injured on a carry.

He gingerly walks off the field and goes into the medical tent.

4:53 p.m.: Ole Miss’ defense was not an elite unit in the SEC, but they have been clamping up Tulane in critical situations. 

Retzlaff gets brought down for the second time and Tulane will be forced to punt coming out of the two-minute timeout.

4:51 p.m.: Brown-Stephens takes the kickoff past the 30, giving the Green Wave good field position. Tulane has a chance to score twice, with the Green Wave getting the ball to start the second half.

Ole Miss 17, Tulane 3

4:49 p.m. FIELD GOAL: Ole Miss is right outside the 20 with 4:29 remaining. A Lacy carry gets stuffed at the line of scrimmage, setting up a third down. Though, the Rebels don’t get it.

Lucas Carneiro nails a 42-yarder and the lead is back up to 14.

4:47 p.m.: The Tulane offense has not been a problem today, but the unit still has not gotten into the end zone.

4:42 p.m.: Ole Miss goes for it on 4th & 3, and this time the Rebels move the chains. Chambliss hits Cayden Lee ahead of the sticks to keep the chains moving.

4:40 p.m.: On 1st & 10, Chambliss finds Alexander on a curl and the receiver turns it upfield for 17 yards down to the Ole Miss 30. A personal foul penalty brings the ball to the 45.

4:38 p.m.: On 3rd & 12, Retzlaff gets out of the pocket but is brought down.

Tulane punts for the first time of the game, and Ole Miss has the ball up 14-3.

4:36 p.m.: MClure has had his way with some carries, and once again he takes one for 12 yards and a first down.

He then takes the next carry 15 yards.

4:34 p.m.: McClure opens up the drive with a 10 yard carry to the Tulane 29.

4:30 p.m.: On 3rd & 7, Chambliss is unable to connect with Alexander and Ole Miss has to punt for the second straight drive.

Hayes fields the punt and Tulane will start right below its 15.

Ole Miss 14, Tulane 3

4:24 p.m.: Tulane is on the board with a field goal.

Retzlaff drove the Green Wave down the field on five plays, but it ends in three points. The Ole Miss lead is 11.

End of the first quarter: Ole Miss 14, Tulane 3

4:13 p.m.: The Green Wave defense gets a stop. On 4th & 4, Chambliss tries to draw them offsides but it doesn’t work.

We have our first punt of the game, with Retzlaff and the Green Wave offense taking over trailing by 14.

4:10 p.m.: The Green Wave defense has its first big play of the game, sacking Chambliss on 1st & 10 for a loss.

4:09 p.m.: Tulane goes for it on 4th & short, and though Retzlaff hits Hayes, the receiver cannot hold on.

The Rebels take over with a 14-0 lead.

4:04 p.m.: Tulane is once again past midfield, after Retzlaff finds Omari Hayes for 17 yards to the Ole Miss 45.

4:02 p.m.: Down 14, Tulane desperately needed a first down conversion, and it gets it.

Retzlaff rolls out right and hits Brown-Stephens ahead of the chains.

Ole Miss 14, Tulane 0

3:57 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: Ole Miss is not messing around.

Here, Chambliss takes a quarterback draw into the end zone, walking in behind his superstar running back.

It’s 14-0 Rebels early on.

3:56 p.m.: Lacy has two big carries to open up the game.

This time, he takes the first carry 30 yards past midfield. The next play, Chambliss hits Deuce Alexander for 26 yards down to the Tulane 4.

3:52 p.m.: Tulane was deep in Ole Miss territory, but the drive ends in an interception.

Retzlaff throws one over the middle of the field, and it’s Jaylon Braxton who intercepts the pass, and after a personal foul on the Green Wave, Ole Miss will start at the 40.

A promising drive for Tulane comes up with nothing.

3:50 p.m.: On 3rd & 10, Tulane has a new set of downs.

It’s Anthony Brown-Stephens who hauls in a pass from Retzlaff right by the line to gain and the Green Wave are inside the 30.

3:46 p.m.: On play one, the Tulane offense has a chunk play. Jamauri McClure takes a carry right by the sticks.

Next, its Jake Retzlaff who scrambles 16 yards to the 50.

Ole Miss 7, Tulane 0

3:44 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: On the first play of the game, the Ole Miss offense strikes fast.

Chambliss hits De’Zhaun Stribling, who takes it 30 yards upfield. Two plays later, Ole Miss gets on the board just like that.

It’s Kewan Lacy, who takes his first carry of the game 20 yards into the end zone. The Rebels lead 7-0 after a 59 second drive that ended in paydirt.

3:42 p.m.: The Green Wave have kicked off and we are officially underway in Oxford.

Trinidad Chambliss and the Ole Miss offense has the ball first.

3:37 p.m.: Jon Sumrall’s Tulane Green Wave and Pete Golding’s Ole Miss Rebels have taken the field in Oxford.

We are moments away from kickoff.

3:13 p.m.: Kickoff is almost here from a loud Oxford, Mississippi.

2:38 p.m.: It’s been a tulmultuous month in Oxford. ESPN’s Marty Smith spoke with new head coach Pete Golding and some Ole Miss players about moving on without Lane Kiffin.

2:36 p.m.: With a win, Ole Miss would make it 15 straight wins against Tulane.

2:25 p.m.: Tulane will be wearing its classic green helmets for today’s matchup.

2:11 p.m.: Ole Miss returns to Vaught Hemingway Stadium for the first time since November 15, when they beat Florida.

2:06 p.m.: The Tulane Green Wave have arrived.

The Green Wave would pull off the biggest upset in College Football Playoff history with a win. 

1:55 p.m.: Though he’s not coaching, Kiffin is still backing the Rebels, especially his quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.

Chambliss has 3,016 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and three interceptions since taking over for Austin Simmons in the middle of the season. 

1:11 p.m.: The Ole Miss faithful won’t hold back words when it comes to their former head coach.

1:10 p.m.: In a few hours, Ole Miss will take the field for the first time post-Lane Kiffin.

The Rebels enter today’s game as a massive favorite, having already beaten Tulane in Oxford this season. 

MORE OLE MISS-TULANE NEWS:

How to watch Ole Miss vs. Tulane

Ole Miss vs. Tulane start time

  • Date: December 20, 2025
  • Time: 3:30 p.m. ET

Tulane and Ole Miss will kick off at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday from Vaught Hemingway Stadium. This will be the second time the two play this season in Oxford, with Ole Miss taking the first game 45-10.

What channel is Ole Miss vs. Tulane on today?

  • TV Channel: TNT, truTV
  • Streaming: HBO Max, DirecTV

The College Football Playoff First Round broadcast is being presented across several Turner Sports (TNT Sports) networks, a sublicense partner of ESPN. In addition to the primary coverage on TNT, the Ole Miss vs. Tulane matchup is also being simulcast on truTV for wider accessibility. 

For viewers looking to stream the game, the options listed — HBO Max and DirecTV — provide the full live broadcast. Subscriptions to DirecTV (or DirecTV Stream) that include the channel package with TNT will allow you to watch the game on your TV or through the DirecTV app. Furthermore, the entire live broadcast is being made available to stream on HBO Max, the streaming service now under the same parent company as TNT and truTV.

College Football Playoff schedule 2025

Date Round Matchup Time (ET) TV Channel
12/19 First round Oklahoma vs. Alabama 8:00 p.m. ABC, ESPN
12/20 First round Texas A&M vs. Miami 12:00 p.m. ABC, ESPN
12/20 First round Ole Miss vs. Tulane 3:30 p.m. TNT
12/20 First round Oregon vs. James Madison 7:30 p.m. TNT
12/31 Quarterfinals (Cotton Bowl) Ohio State vs. TBD 7:30 p.m. ESPN
1/1 Quarterfinals (Orange Bowl) Texas Tech vs. TBD 12:00 p.m. ESPN
1/1 Quarterfinals (Rose Bowl) Indiana vs. TBD 4:00 p.m. ESPN
1/1 Quarterfinals (Sugar Bowl) Georgia vs. TBD 8:00 p.m. ESPN
1/8 Semifinals (Fiesta Bowl) TBD vs. TBD 8:00 p.m. ESPN
1/9 Semifinals (Peach Bowl) TBD vs. TBD 8:00 p.m. ESPN
1/19 CFP National Championship TBD vs. TBD 8:00 p.m. ESPN
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