So, you’re looking for the football score Ole Miss put up in their last outing? It was a heartbreaker. Honestly, if you blinked during the fourth quarter of the 2026 Fiesta Bowl, you probably missed three lead changes. The final scoreboard at State Farm Stadium read Miami 31, Ole Miss 27.
It wasn't just a loss; it was the end of a wild, high-stakes era in Oxford.
The Scoring Breakdown: A Seesaw in the Desert
The game was a defensive slog for the first thirty minutes, but the second half turned into a pure shootout. Ole Miss went into the locker room down 17–13, but they didn't stay down for long. Trinidad Chambliss, stepping into the massive shoes left by Jaxson Dart, looked every bit the part of an SEC star.
- First Quarter: Miami kicked a field goal after a turnover on downs by the Rebels. 3–0 Miami.
- Second Quarter: Kewan Lacy hit a massive 73-yard hole. He didn't just run; he outran the entire Hurricanes secondary. 7–3 Ole Miss.
- Late Second Quarter: Carson Beck found Keelan Marion for a 52-yard bomb. 17–13 Miami at the half.
- Fourth Quarter Drama: This is where things got weird. Ole Miss clawed back with a field goal to make it 17–16. Then they took a 19–17 lead. Miami answered. Ole Miss answered back with a 24-yard strike to Dae’Quan Wright.
- The Dagger: With the season on the line, Carson Beck scrambled for a 3-yard touchdown with just seconds left. Final: 31–27.
Life After Lane: The Elephant in the Room
You can't talk about the football score Ole Miss fought for without mentioning the sideline. Or rather, who wasn't on it. Lane Kiffin heading to LSU just weeks before a College Football Playoff semifinal is the kind of drama only the SEC can produce.
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Most people expected the Rebels to fold. Without the "Portal King" calling the shots, the narrative was that the 2025 season would essentially end in a whimper. Instead, Pete Golding and the remaining staff kept the roster together. They almost pulled off the impossible.
The fact that Ole Miss finished 13–2 is kind of a miracle. They replaced 18 starters from the 2024 squad. They saw their head coach walk out the door. Yet, they were one defensive stop away from playing for a National Championship.
Why the 2025 Season Score Matters for 2026
People get obsessed with the final score, but the real story is the sustainability of the program. Ole Miss just wrapped up the No. 22 recruiting class in the nation for 2026. They aren't going anywhere.
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Jase Matthews, a five-star wideout according to some services, is the crown jewel of the new class. He's exactly the kind of vertical threat that would have changed the 31–27 outcome in Glendale. While Kiffin is busy trying to rebuild LSU, the Rebels are quietly stacking defensive talent like Landon Barnes and Ja’Michael Garrett.
Key Takeaways from the Fiesta Bowl
It’s easy to look at a 27-point output and think the offense stalled. It didn't. Chambliss went 23-for-37 for 277 yards. He was efficient. He didn't throw a single pick.
The limitation was the red zone. Three field goals in the second half? That’s where the game was lost. You can’t trade threes for sevens when you’re playing a team like Miami.
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If you're tracking the football score Ole Miss results for your bets or just for bragging rights, remember that this team was a 4-point underdog. They covered the spread. They just didn't win the trophy.
What to Watch for Next
The transfer portal window is currently a chaotic mess. Devin Harper, a highly-touted offensive lineman, just hit the portal and looks like he might follow Kiffin to Baton Rouge. It’s a blow to the interior protection.
However, the Rebels are aggressive. They’ve already been linked to several high-profile defenders. The goal is simple: ensure that the next time the scoreboard shows a 4-point difference, it's in favor of the Red and Blue.
Keep an eye on the spring game roster. The quarterback battle between Chambliss and the incoming freshmen will define whether Ole Miss remains a top-10 fixture or slides back into the middle of the SEC pack.
Next Steps for Rebels Fans:
- Check the final Transfer Portal rankings on January 16 to see where the Rebels' roster stands.
- Monitor the health of Kewan Lacy, as his 73-yard burst in the Fiesta Bowl proved he is the definitive RB1 for the 2026 campaign.
- Look for the official announcement of the new head coaching hire, which is expected before the end of the month.