Kewan Lacy cemented his place among the nation’s elite rushers last season, shouldering a record workload that few have ever endured.
A Record‑Breaking Season
He logged 306 carries, the most in the Football Bowl Subdivision, and turned those attempts into 1,567 yards and 24 touchdowns. The production earned him the distinction of being the first Doak Walker Award finalist in Ole Miss history and a cover athlete for EA Sports College Football 27.
A hamstring injury sustained in the Fiesta Bowl threatened to derail his momentum, but doctors have cleared him for the upcoming campaign, and teammates expect him to pick up where he left off.
New Leadership in Oxford
Pete Golding, who arrived from the defensive side of the ball, inherits a program that finished the year averaging 489.7 yards per game. His appointment signals a continuity of ambition, especially as the offense retains key pieces.
Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is set to return for his sophomore season, giving the Rebels a familiar arm to guide the high‑tempo scheme.
Schedule and Showdowns
The Rebels open the 2026 slate on September 6 against Louisville, a matchup that will test the new‑look offense early. A week later, Lane Kiffin’s LSU will travel to Oxford, promising a marquee conference showdown that could shape the SEC race.
Fans and analysts alike are watching closely, aware that the combination of Lacy’s ground game and Golding’s vision could restore Ole Miss to the top tier of college football.