Trinidad Chambliss walked off the Fiesta Bowl turf in tears after his 277-yard heroics went in vain in Ole Miss’ 31-27 loss to the Hurricanes. The 23-year-old quarterback laid bare the season’s profound toll on him, while also crediting the teammates he gets to share the field with.

Ole Miss was the last SEC team standing in the playoffs and battled through an incredible amount of adversity to get there. And Chambliss was at the center of it all. Even in defeat, outlets like ESPN praised his effort as “superhuman.” While he’s still waiting on a waiver for a sixth year of eligibility, reports say Chambliss already has an understanding with Ole Miss if he’s cleared to return to Oxford.

“This season has meant so much to me, especially because of the brothers I get to line up with every day and the unwavering support of the Oxford community,” Trinidad Chambliss said. “My teammates are family, and together we share a common goal, to bring a championship home to Ole Miss. While the process is still ongoing, there is no place I’d rather be than finishing my college football career in Oxford.”

Chambliss gave Ole Miss everything he had. He finished the night 23-of-37 for 277 yards and a touchdown, nearly pulling off a miracle late. With the Rebels trailing, he led a clutch six-play. It was a 75-yard drive in the fourth quarter, capped by a perfect 24-yard touchdown strike to Dae’Quan Wright. Ole Miss even converted the two-point try, jumping ahead 27–24 with just over three minutes left.

Then Miami answered. The Hurricanes chewed up the clock and reclaimed the lead on Carson Beck’s rushing touchdown, going up 31–27 with only 18 seconds left. Still, Chambliss wasn’t done. He pushed Ole Miss down to the Miami 35 in a blink, giving the Rebels one last shot. The final Hail Mary sailed into the end zone. But fell incomplete.

Miami’s game plan made life tough all night. They dominated time of possession (41:22 to 18:38), brought constant pressure. That in turn forced Chambliss to improvise. He rushed when he had to, picking up seven yards on five carries, and kept plays alive despite defenders in his face. The Canes even dropped a few interceptions that could’ve ended things sooner. Due to the defensive lapses during the game, coach Pete Golding’s raw locker room accountability demand now fuels the Rebels’ offseason fire.

Pete Golding demands accountability from Trinidad Chambliss and Co.

Pete Golding is a type of head coach who will never mince words. For him, accountability comes first. After leading the Rebels to straight wins in the playoffs, this close setback stung badly.

“What I told them in the locker room, that we’re pi–ed off in a semifinal game,” Golding said during the post-game presser. “Because we feel like we should have won the game, because we didn’t play our best, and we didn’t coach our best. And so I’m really proud of their effort and proud of the year they had.”

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Ole Miss had chances, but too many good drives fizzled out. Instead of touchdowns, the Rebels settled for four long field goals from Lucas Carneiro. They were impressive kicks, no doubt. But three points at a time just wasn’t enough in a game like this.

The turnover battle didn’t help either. Miami’s defense dropped four would-be interceptions. On the other hand, Ole Miss came away with just one pick on a tipped pass. Cashing in on even one or two of those missed chances could’ve flipped the momentum or shut down a Hurricanes drive early.

Defensively, a few costly breakdowns hurt. Right before halftime, a busted coverage left Keelan Marion exposed for a 52-yard touchdown, handing Miami a huge score. Then, with Ole Miss up 27–24 and just over three minutes left, the Rebels couldn’t stop them from scoring. Miami drove 75 yards on a grinding 15-play march for the game-winner, helped along by a facemask penalty on a key third down.

To make matters tougher, Carneiro had a chance to swing momentum early in the third quarter. But his 52-yard attempt clanged off the upright. In a game decided by four points, those missed opportunities, on both sides of the ball, ended up telling the story.