# Ole Miss 2026 football season progress > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ole-miss-football-2026-season > Updated: 2026-09-10T19:02:37.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 18. The No. 9 ranked Ole Miss Rebels opened their 2026 season with a 41-38 victory over No. 24 Louisville at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. While the first half was characterized by defensive play, both offenses increased production during the second half to secure the win via a last-second field goal by Lucas Carneiro. Despite the victory, the performance highlighted defensive vulnerabilities. Analysts noted the defense allowed 240 yards after contact, citing “poor tackling from the defensive back unit and incorrect pursuit angles by the defensive line.” Additionally, the offense experienced stagnation during the first half. Wide receiver Deuce Alexander led the Rebels, recording five catches for 159 yards and two touchdowns, earning him SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors. Injuries also emerged during the contest, as running back Kewan Lacy left the game in the third quarter with a thigh injury. Following the Louisville win, head coach Pete Golding has made history by becoming the first coach in the Associated Press poll era to face four consecutive ranked opponents in his first four career games. This stretch included victories over No. 17 Tulane and No. 2 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Golding’s only loss during this period occurred in the playoff semifinals against No. 10 Miami, which was decided by a last-second incomplete pass. Key contributors throughout this period have included quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, wide receiver Deuce Alexander, linebacker Keaton Thomas, and kicker Lucas Carneiro. The Rebels are now preparing to host Charlotte. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-10: Pete Golding makes history with four consecutive ranked opponents at Ole Miss Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding is the first coach in the AP poll era to face four straight ranked opponents in his first four games, posting a 3-1 record. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pete-golding-makes-history-with-four-consecutive-ranked-opponents-at-ole-miss ### 2026-09-10: Ole Miss prepares for Charlotte following narrow win over Louisville No. 9 Ole Miss prepares to face Charlotte following a narrow 41-38 win over No. 24 Louisville that exposed defensive tackling and pursuit issues. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/charlotte-coach-tim-alpin-discusses-matchup-against-no-9-ole-miss ### 2026-09-07: Ole Miss defeats Louisville 41-38 in season opener Ole Miss defeated Louisville 41-38 in a close season opener, though star running back Kewan Lacy left the game with a thigh injury, testing the Rebels' backfield depth. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ole-miss-defeats-louisville-41-38-in-high-scoring-opener ### 2026-09-03: Ole Miss coach Pete Golding discusses Louisville matchup Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding highlighted the physical and athletic challenges posed by Louisville's defense ahead of their Week 1 matchup. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ole-miss-coach-pete-golding-discusses-louisville-matchup ### 2026-08-30: Ole Miss prepares for season opener against No. 24 Louisville No. 9 Ole Miss begins its season against No. 24 Louisville in Nashville, marking Pete Golding’s debut as head coach for the Rebels. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ole-miss-prepares-for-season-opener-against-no-24-louisville ### 2026-08-24: Ole Miss football launches Heisman campaigns for Chambliss and Lacy Ole Miss football is launching Heisman campaigns for Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy while preparing for its 2026 road schedule, including matchups in Nashville and Gainesville. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ole-miss-football-launches-heisman-campaigns-for-chambliss-and-lacy ### 2026-08-21: Ole Miss football prepares for season opener against Louisville Ole Miss football enters mock game week as fall camp winds down, preparing for a September 6 season opener against Louisville following a highly ranked preseason ranking. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ole-miss-football-prepares-for-season-opener-against-louisville ### 2026-08-18: Ole Miss football enters third week of fall camp Ole Miss football enters its third week of fall camp, focusing on defensive execution and roster evaluation ahead of their 2026 season opener against Louisville. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ole-miss-football-enters-third-week-of-fall-camp ### 2026-08-09: Ole Miss football begins fall camp with Heisman favorite Chambliss Ole Miss football has begun fall camp with Heisman favorite Trinidad Chambliss leading the offense while the staff evaluates competition for the right tackle position. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ole-miss-football-begins-fall-camp-with-heisman-favorite-chambliss ### 2026-08-06: Ole Miss football begins fall practice under Pete Golding Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding has begun fall practices, focusing on creating 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ole-miss-football-begins-fall-practice-under-pete-golding ### 2026-08-01: Ole Miss athletics reshapes with basketball star entering transfer portal and football coach targeting Heisman race Ole Miss guard AJ Storr enters the transfer portal after a court‑approved extra year, while new football coach Pete Golding eyes a Heisman run for quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and RB Kewan Lacy. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ole-miss-athletics-reshapes-with-basketball-star-entering-transfer-portal-and-football-coach-targeti ### 2026-07-29: Ole Miss Rebels gear up for SEC season with top transfers and star trio Ole Miss Rebels, led by coach Pete Golding, preview the SEC season with star trio Chambliss, Lacy, Echoles and incoming transfers Blake Purchase and Carius Curne after a successful CFP run. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ole-miss-rebels-gear-up-for-sec-season-with-top-transfers-and-star-trio ### 2026-07-27: Ole Miss Rebels launch fall football camp on Aug. 6 under coach Pete Golding Ole Miss Rebels began fall camp on Aug. 6 under Pete Golding, emphasizing linebacker depth and a competitive offensive line as they prep for the 2026 season. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ole-miss-rebels-gear-up-for-fall-camp-spotlighting-linebackers-and-offensive-line ### 2026-07-25: Ole Miss coach Pete Golding outlines new season schedule and calendar ideas Ole Miss coach Pete Golding met fans in Memphis, bought Lane Kiffin’s former house, and suggested a new college‑football calendar while ranking key SEC games for the Rebels. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ole-miss-coach-pete-golding-outlines-new-season-schedule-and-calendar-ideas ### 2026-07-23: Ole Miss locks in quarterback Trinidad Chambliss with aggressive recruiting push Ole Miss coach Pete Golding used a negative recruiting pitch to keep QB Trinidad Chambliss, who now targets a 2026 national championship as the team adds depth via transfers. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ole-miss-locks-in-quarterback-trinidad-chambliss-with-aggressive-recruiting-push ### 2026-07-21: Ole Miss Rebels gear up for 2026 season with revamped offense Ole Miss, under new coach Pete Golding, previews a stronger 2026 season; Oklahoma’s Venables talks returning linemen, while RB Kewan Lacy praises the revamped receiver corps. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ole-miss-rebels-gear-up-for-2026-season-with-revamped-offense ### 2026-07-14: Ole Miss football eyes SEC Media Days while coach Golding reshapes defense Ole Miss will send QB Trinidad Chambliss and others to SEC Media Days in Tampa as coach Pete Golding, entering his first full season, touts a rebuilt defensive secondary featuring several transfers. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ole-miss-football-eyes-sec-media-days-while-coach-golding-reshapes-defense ### 2026-07-09: Ole Miss Rebels target dominant rushing attack in 2026 season Ole Miss, now led by head coach Pete Golding, returns record‑setting RB Kewan Lacy and QB Trinidad Chambliss, adding transfers to bolster a potent run game for the 2026 season. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ole-miss-rebels-target-dominant-rushing-attack-in-2026-season --- Cite as: Ole Miss 2026 football season progress. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ole-miss-football-2026-season