NEW ORLEANS — Ole Miss defeated Georgia 37-34 on a game-winning field goal by Oscar Bird in the 2026 Sugar Bowl before 68,371 fans in New Orleans.

Ole Miss took an early 6-0 lead with two long field goals in the first quarter. The Rebels capitalized on Georgia’s shorthanded defense.

Second quarter surge

Georgia’s running game found rhythm in the second quarter. Stockton capped a seven-play, 75-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown run. The drive took 3:36.

Ole Miss answered quickly with a Chambliss touchdown pass, completing an eight-play, 75-yard drive in 3:03 to make it 12-7.

On third and 12, Stockton bought time and took a big hit before finding Cash Jones, who took the ball down to the 1-yard line. Stockton scored his second rushing touchdown of the half on a 12-play, 75-yard drive that consumed 6:28, giving Georgia a 14-12 lead.

Daylen Everette added a 46-yard scoop and score just before halftime. Four touchdowns were scored in the second quarter.

Georgia led 21-12 at halftime.

Third quarter comeback begins

Georgia stopped Ole Miss on fourth and 1 from their own 49-yard line to start the second half. The Dawgs missed a field goal on their ensuing possession.

Kewan Lacy cut Georgia’s lead to two points with a 7-yard rushing touchdown. The seven-play, 63-yard drive took 3:42, making the score 21-19.

Landon Roldan connected with Lawson Luckie on a fourth-down fake punt to keep Georgia’s drive alive. Stockton again bought time and found Colbie Young deep in Rebels territory.

Georgia settled for a field goal to extend their lead to 24-19.

Fourth quarter drama

Kewan Lacy scored a 5-yard rushing touchdown for Ole Miss. The Rebels converted the two-point conversion to take a 27-24 lead. The eight-play, 75-yard drive took more than four minutes.

With under 10 minutes to play, Georgia lined up to go for it on fourth down. The pressure proved too much for Stockton, who was sacked and fumbled. The Rebels recovered the fumble and capitalized immediately.

Chambliss hit Harrison Wallace III in the end zone to extend the Ole Miss lead to 10 points. The two-play, 13-yard drive took 29 seconds, making it 34-24.

Chambliss completed 13 straight passes, setting a Sugar Bowl record.

Georgia responded quickly with Stockton finding Zachariah Branch for a touchdown. The six-play, 79-yard drive took 1:59, cutting the Ole Miss lead to 34-31.

Late game heroics

With 3:13 remaining, Georgia faced fourth and nine from their own 48-yard line. Stockton hit Branch inside the Rebels’ 40-yard line. Two penalties in the secondary helped set up Georgia’s game-tying field goal, making it 34-34.

Game-winning drive

On the final drive, Chambliss found his receiver behind the Georgia defense on third down, putting the Rebels in field goal range. Oscar Bird hit his third field goal of the night for the game winner, giving Ole Miss a 37-34 victory punching their ticket to the VRBO Fiesta Bowl.

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