Ole Miss HC Pete Golding drops tough Glenn Boyce, Keith Carter declaration after beating LSU

Pete Golding got his revenge game, and he immediately thought of the two men who made the whole saga possible. Moments after No. 8 Ole Miss held off No. 7 LSU 32-24 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Saturday night, spoiling Lane Kiffin’s return to Oxford, the Rebels coach exclaimed who deserved to celebrate.

“I think Glenn Boyce and Keith Carter may have a beer tonight. I know that,” Golding told ABC’s Holly Rowe after the game.

The reference landed with everyone who followed last winter’s chaos. Chancellor Glenn Boyce and athletic director Keith Carter were the two who told Kiffin he would not be allowed to coach Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff if he accepted another job. Kiffin informed Carter on November 29 that he was leaving for LSU, asked to stay through the postseason anyway, and was denied. Golding, then the defensive coordinator, walked into Carter’s office and made his case for the job.

He has since proven them right twice over. Golding won two playoff games before ever coaching a regular season game, beating Tulane and stunning Georgia in the Sugar Bowl before falling a play short against Miami. Saturday added the signature win the fan base wanted most.

The Rebels built a 24-7 halftime lead behind Trinidad Chambliss, who threw for 363 yards and two touchdowns while adding a 14-yard rushing score that restored an eight-point cushion in the fourth quarter. Kewan Lacy handled the ground work, and Traylon Ray and Deuce Alexander both caught touchdowns before the break.

LSU refused to fold. Sam Leavitt dropped a 26-yard touchdown to Winston Watkins Jr. on third-and-13 and pulled the Tigers within eight, then drove them to the Ole Miss 6 in the final minute. On fourth-and-goal with 1:03 left, Kam Franklin tipped Leavitt’s pass at the line and Jaylon Braxton intercepted it in the end zone to end the game.

Ole Miss moves to 3-0 and 1-0 in SEC play. The Rebels travel to Florida next Saturday.