Full Breakdown
Ole Miss Edges Louisville 41-38 in Music City Kickoff
9/8/2026, 12:11:59 PM
Game Overview
No. 9 Ole Miss defeated No. 24 Louisville 41-38 in the season-opening Liberty Mutual Music City Kickoff at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. The Rebels rallied from a 24-24 tie in the fourth quarter, scoring two touchdowns before kicker Lucas Carneiro nailed a 48-yard field goal as time expired to secure the win.
Background & Context
Both programs entered the contest as ranked opponents in the first official week of the 2026 college-football season. Ole Miss, led by head coach Pete Golding, sought to start the year against a quality ACC opponent.
Key Figures
- Trinidad Chambliss – Ole Miss quarterback; 21-of-36, 336 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT.
- Lincoln Kienholz – Louisville quarterback; accounted for multiple touchdowns and a two-point conversion.
- Lucas Carneiro – Ole Miss placekicker; made 43- and 48-yard field goals, the latter the game-winner.
- Carson Hilbert – Louisville placekicker; perfect 3-for-3 on field goals.
- Deuce Alexander – Ole Miss wide receiver; 5 catches for 159 yards and two 62-yard TDs.
Data & Statistics
- Total yards: Ole Miss 488, Louisville 383.
- First downs: Ole Miss 24.
- Third-down conversions: 6-of-16 (Ole Miss).
- Penalties: Louisville 6 for 60 yards; Ole Miss 0.
- Time of possession: Louisville 29:02, Ole Miss 30:58.
- Turnovers: Louisville 2, Ole Miss 1.
Official Statements & Responses
Ole Miss coach Pete Golding called the win a “great example” of preparation paying off and noted that several players stepped in after injuries. He downplayed the severity of injuries to running back Kewan Lacy and defensive lineman Kam Franklin, saying, “No, we’ll get in there with the medical staff.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “We played a team that went to the (College Football Playoff) semifinals, (was) one play away from going to the championship game, won 13 games,” — Jeff Brohm
- “It was great to see Hilbert kick the ball well,” — Jeff Brohm
- “Some guys came in to some injuries and played really well when they had their opportunity,” — Pete Golding
Impact / Why It Matters
The victory gives Ole Miss a 1-0 start and demonstrates resilience in close games, a trait that could prove vital in upcoming SEC matchups. For Louisville, the narrow loss provides a benchmark for the program’s progress under Brohm, highlighting both offensive firepower and areas—such as discipline and clock management—that require refinement.
What’s Next
Ole Miss returns home to host Charlotte the following Saturday, while Louisville travels to Oxford for its next game against Charlotte on Sept. 12. Both teams will look to build on the lessons from this high-scoring, tightly contested opener.
