Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy are back for Ole Miss, and get this: they’re the first quarterback and running back duo in a *decade* to return after hitting a combined 6,000 total yards the season before. Seriously, we’re talking about a feat that’s only happened three times in the 21st century with the same FBS duo running it back. That’s absolutely wild, and it’s fueling some serious championship hopes down in Oxford.
History Is Repeating Itself, And It’s Epic
Think back to Deshaun Watson and Wayne Gallman at Clemson. Those guys had a monster 2015, then followed it up with another blockbuster campaign in 2016. What happened? Clemson cleared that final hurdle and snagged their first national championship since 1981. Fast forward exactly ten years, and Ole Miss is looking to hit that exact same formula with Chambliss and Lacy. No QB/RB tandem since Watson/Gallman has stacked consecutive seasons with 6,000-plus total yards. That’s how rare this is, even with the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams and allowing for more games. And Chambliss, by the way, only started 13 games last season. This duo isn’t just good; they are, unequivocally, the most productive returning tandem in college football. If 2026 goes their way, they could easily be one of the best duos of the 21st century.
Heisman Hype? Coach Golding Says Bring It On
It’s not just the fans buzzing. Ole Miss is leaning all the way into marketing their stars this time around. Forget the past where coaching rumors overshadowed everything; this week, the Rebels launched a joint Heisman campaign for both Chambliss and Lacy. We’re talking yard signs, bumper stickers, pins, the whole shebang. New head coach Pete Golding, who took over from former coach Lane Kiffin, addressed the obvious question at SEC media days: “hey, does this become a distraction?” His answer? Not even a little bit. Golding isn’t worried at all. He said, “Those two are wired the right way.” He believes they’ll do everything they can to win, based on their preparation. He has “zero concern about it affecting them and becoming an issue.” That’s the kind of confidence you love to hear from a coach when you’ve got arguably the top backfield tandem in the nation.
This whole situation has the makings of something truly special. Keep your eyes on Oxford to see if Chambliss and Lacy can deliver on the massive hype and make some serious history.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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