Grand Rapids native delivers masterclass performance while dealing with unprecedented pre-game drama
Trinidad Chambliss had the kind of debut that Ole Miss fans will remember for years. The redshirt senior quarterback from Grand Rapids threw for 359 yards and four touchdowns as the No. 6 Rebels demolished Mississippi State 38-19 in the Egg Bowl on November 28, 2025—but the real story extended far beyond the field.
Chambliss's first experience in college football's most heated in-state rivalry came with an unexpected twist: his jerseys were allegedly stolen by Mississippi State fans in the middle of the night before kickoff. What could have been a distraction instead fueled an Ole Miss team that dominated from start to finish, with Chambliss orchestrating an offensive clinic that left no doubt about his capabilities at the FBS level.
A Transfer's Triumphant Debut
Chambliss arrived at Ole Miss this fall as a
transfer from Division II Ferris State, where he had just completed a stellar 2024 season. At Ferris State, he led the Bulldogs to a national championship, defeating previously unbeaten Valdosta State 49-14, and finished third in voting for the Harlon Hill Trophy—the Division II equivalent of the Heisman.
His numbers at the FBS level immediately validated the hype. Beyond his four touchdown passes, Chambliss also contributed on the ground, part of an Ole Miss offense that accumulated
143 rushing yards with running back Kewan Lacy adding another touchdown. The performance showcased exactly why head coach Lane Kiffin brought the 6-foot, 200-pound signal-caller to Oxford.
The Jersey Heist That Sparked a Rivalry Fire
What made Chambliss's debut truly unforgettable was the bizarre pre-game incident that became the talk of college football. According to Kiffin,
Mississippi State fans broke into Ole Miss's locker room twice—once on Thursday night and again at 3 a.m. Friday morning—stealing Chambliss's jerseys.
"Shoot, at 10 o'clock last night—luckily, our great Ken Crane, our equipment manager, hid secret cameras in the locker room so we could watch Mississippi State break into our locker room and start stealing things," Kiffin revealed to the SEC Network. "We reported to Mississippi State, they said they'd put security, and how about this? At 3 o'clock in the morning they break in again and take Trinidad's jersey."
Rather than letting the incident rattle him, Chambliss found humor in the situation while making his feelings crystal clear. "I thought it was kind of funny, but it's very disrespectful, honestly," he told reporters after the game. "It kind of shows you what kind of school Mississippi State is. They've always had brawls and fights and whatnot."
A Rivalry Born in One Game
The tension boiled over on the field as well. A shoving match erupted between the two teams during the game, with benches clearing as players scrapped over what was initially thought to be a fumble. The hostile environment only seemed to energize Chambliss and the Rebels.
By the time the final whistle blew, Chambliss had made his mark not just as a player, but as someone who had experienced the full intensity of the Egg Bowl rivalry in a single afternoon. His parting words summed up his newfound perspective perfectly:
"I'll hate Mississippi State for the rest of my life now," he said with a laugh.
Looking Ahead: A Future in Oxford
The dominant performance raises an intriguing question about Chambliss's future. According to recent reports, the quarterback has already filed a waiver seeking eligibility to return for the 2026 season, suggesting Ole Miss and Chambliss are planning for a long-term partnership.
For a player who just months ago was leading a Division II program to a national championship, the jump to the SEC and a rivalry game of this magnitude could have been overwhelming. Instead, Chambliss delivered a performance that announced his arrival at college football's highest level—jersey thieves and all.
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1.
Detroit News - Michigan's Trinidad Chambliss powers Ole Miss past Mississippi2.
Ole Miss Athletics - Trinidad Chambliss Football Roster3.
Sports Illustrated - Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss Rips Mississippi State Fans4.
SEC Sports - Egg Bowl: Trinidad Chambliss tosses 4 TDs5.
Fox News - Mississippi State fans stole Ole Miss star's jerseys
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1. Michigan's Trinidad Chambliss powers Ole Miss past Mississippi
2. Trinidad Chambliss - Football - Ole Miss Athletics - Hotty Toddy
3. Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss Rips Mississippi State Fans for 'Disrespectful' Move
4. Egg Bowl: Trinidad Chambliss tosses 4 TDs in Ole Miss' win over MS State
5. Mississippi State fans stole Ole Miss star's jerseys before rivalry game, coach Lane Kiffin says
6. Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss has filed waiver, seeks return for 2026 season
