NASHVILLE, Tenn. — No. 9 Ole Miss used a dominant first half and four forced turnovers to cruise past Vanderbilt 52-17 on Saturday at FirstBank Stadium.
Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss accounted for four touchdowns as the Rebels improved to 4-1 overall and 2-1 in Southeastern Conference play. Vanderbilt fell to 3-3 and remained winless in conference competition at 0-3.
Chambliss completed 20 of 30 passes for 213 yards and three touchdowns while adding another score on the ground. Deuce Alexander led the Rebels’ receiving corps with five catches for 74 yards and a touchdown, while Makhi Frazier rushed for 73 yards on 13 carries.
Ole Miss established control early, scoring on five of its first seven possessions and building a commanding 42-3 halftime advantage.
Chambliss opened the scoring with a rushing touchdown before Kewan Lacy added a 2-yard touchdown run. The Rebels extended their lead when defensive lineman Jamarious Brown lined up on offense and caught a touchdown pass from Chambliss.
The Ole Miss defense helped turn the game into a rout during the second quarter. Antonio Kite intercepted a Vanderbilt pass, setting up a touchdown reception by Alexander.
Later in the quarter, Blake Purchase forced a fumble that Suntarine Perkins recovered and returned 5 yards for his first career touchdown. Another Vanderbilt turnover on special teams gave the Rebels possession deep in Commodores territory, allowing Chambliss to connect with Michael Smith for a 4-yard touchdown.
Vanderbilt entered halftime trailing by 39 points after struggling to protect the football and contain the Ole Miss offense.
The Commodores showed signs of life in the third quarter, scoring their first touchdown of the afternoon on a pass play to cut the deficit to 42-10. Vanderbilt also intercepted a tipped Chambliss pass, but the Rebels prevented the turnover from developing into additional points.
Nick Cull later intercepted a Vanderbilt pass, giving Ole Miss its fourth takeaway of the game.
With the outcome largely decided, Deuce Knight replaced Chambliss at quarterback to begin the fourth quarter. Lucas Carneiro connected on a 42-yard field goal before Shekai Mills-Knight broke free for a 35-yard touchdown run.
Vanderbilt added a 1-yard touchdown run in the final minute, but the Commodores were unable to overcome their early deficit.
Defensively, Sharif Denson and Luke Ferrelli finished with seven tackles apiece for Ole Miss. Purchase recorded two sacks and three tackles for loss in addition to his forced fumble.
The victory gave Ole Miss its fourth win of the season as the Rebels continued their SEC schedule.
Up next: Ole Miss returns to Oxford to face Missouri on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 2:30 p.m. CDT at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
