Live Updates: Ole Miss Football vs. Georgia State Panthers in Week 1 Matchup

No. 21 Ole Miss will open the 2025 season on Saturday night at Vaught Hemingway Stadium in a matchup against the Georgia State Panthers.

After attacking the NCAA Transfer Portal, Lane Kiffin and Co. will debut a new-look roster in Week 1 against a fierce Sun Belt program.

Ole Miss will send redshirt-sophomore Austin Simmons out on the field in his first career start at quarterback with all eyes on the talented signal-caller.

"We’re excited. He’s got a lot of weapons that have done really good things in practice, so now we got to do that in a game," Kiffin said this offseason.

Here's what Lane Kiffin said of the matchup, pregame updates and a live thread from Saturday night at Vaught Hemingway Stadium.

Ole Miss Rebels Football: Lane Kiffin. — Courtesy of Ole Miss Rebels Football.

What Lane Kiffin Said: Week 1 Edition

“I think Austin’s done a really good job,” Kiffin said this week. “He had a really good Saturday night [scrimmage] and performing really well.

"We’re going to continue to emphasize, one of the things why we’ve had a really good record and performed really well is not just the offensive stats and all the most passing yards and all that.

"It’s been taking care of the football at that position and doing a really good job of that.”

Pregame Updates:

- Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels will roll out redshirt-sophomore quarterback Austin Simmons in his first career start on Saturday night.

- Penn State transfer Harrison Wallace III, Oklahoma State transfer De'Zhaun Stribling and Cayden Lee earn the start at wide receiver.

- Ferris State quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has earned the QB2 role ahead of the 2025 season after transferring to Ole Miss in the spring.

- Ole Miss enters Saturday night as 34.5-point favorites with Vegas favoring the Rebels significant against their Sun Belt foe.

Ole Miss Rebels Football: Austin Simmons. — Courtesy of Ole Miss Rebels Football.

Live Updates:

[Make sure to refresh your browser for the latest information. Scroll down for the most recent updates each inning.]

First Quarter:

- Georgia State has won the opening coin toss and elected to receive. The Panthers will start the game with the ball at Vaught Hemingway.

- Georgia State quarterback Christian Veilleux starts the game off going 2-of-3 on passing attempts to get the Panthers near Rebels territory, but Ole Miss’ defense forces a quick punt after a 3:40 drive.

- Ole Miss wide receiver Harrison Wallace III returns the Panthers’ punt to quickly put the Rebels in Georgia State territory, but a holding penalty calls it back. Ole Miss begins the drive on their own 35.

- Austin Simmons tosses to Dae’quon Wright for his fist completion as the starting quarterback for the Rebels.

- Simmons connects with tight end Dae’Quon Wright for a 38-yard touchdown pass and the Rebels quickly strike first at Vaught Hemingway Stadium. 3-play, 65-yard touchdown drive.

Score Update: Ole Miss 7, Georgia State 0

Ole Miss Football. — Aug 30, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels tight end Dae'Quan Wright (8) runs after a catch during the first quarter against the Georgia State Panthers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

- After a 1:58 long possession, Georgia State is unable to gain traction on offense and goes three-and-out on their second drive of the game. Ole Miss ball on their own 21-yard line.

- Austin Simmons drops back in the pocket for the Rebels and takes contact, but tosses his first interception of the year early in the drive. Georgia State takes over on the Ole Miss 25-yard line.

- Georgia State’s offense remains unable to gain traction - Ole Miss forces a 31-yard field goal attempt that is no good - 8-play, 12-yard drive that stalls with zero points.

- After a 5-play, 63-yard drive, Austin Simmons tosses his second interception of the first quarter with Georgia State coming down with the ball on their own 35-yard line. 47 seconds left in the quarter.

End of 1Q: Ole Miss 7, Georgia State 0

Second Quarter:

- Georgia State’s offense shows life after a 6-play, 37-yard drive, but back-to-back punts forces a Panthers punt. Harrison Wallace III fair catches it for the Rebels. Ole Miss ball on the 37-yard line.

- Ole Miss rolling with a conservative offensive approach after a pair of Austin Simmons interceptions. Back-to-back rushing attempts from Kewan Lacy followed by QB2 Trinidad Chambliss coming in on a quarterback keeper for a first down.

- After a 7-play, 60-yard drive, the Rebels knock in a 42-yard field goal to extend the lead to double-digits at Vaught Hemingway Stadium.

Score Update: Ole Miss 10, Georgia State 0

- Georgia State quarterback Christian Veilleux goes 0-for-2 on the following drive with the Panthers adding four yards on the ground, but are once again forced to punt. Ole Miss takes over on their own 44-yard line.

- Ole Miss’ offense is beginning to to click at Vaught Hemingway with running back Kewan Lacy making his presence felt. Seven attempts for 24 yards paired with Austin Simmons slowing things down. He’s up to 188 yards on 8-of-12 on passing attempts. Ole Miss is in the red-zone.

- Ole Miss RB Kewan Lacy punches it in for the score to extend the Rebels’ lead. 9-play, 56-yard drive for Ole Miss.

Score Update: Ole Miss 17, Georgia State 0

- Georgia State running back Rashad Amos with back-to-back explosive plays for the Panthers after tacking on 32 rushing yards. Georgia State up to the 43-yard line.

- Panthers quarterback Christian Veilleux launches 43-yard touchdown pass to Javon Robinson to get Georgia State on the board. 4-play, 75-yard drive.

Score Update: Ole Miss 17, Georgia State 7

- Austin Simmons is orchestrating an impressive two-minute drill drive for the Rebels. 12-play, 60 yards with the two-minute warning hitting. Simmons is up to 220 yards in the first half on 13/18 passing.

- Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy punches in his second touchdown of the first half after a two-yard rushing attempt. 16-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Two-point conversion is good.

HALFTIME: Ole Miss 25, Georgia State 7

Third Quarter:

- Ole Miss receives the opening kick an quickly capitalizes with running back Kewan Lacy continuing an impressive outing. The Missouri running back transfer takes a 42-yard rushing attempt to the end-zone on the sixth play of the drive. Rebels break open the lead once again.

Score Update: Ole Miss 32, Georgia State 7

- Ole Miss defensive tackle Zxavian Harris hauls in an interception off of Georgia State on the third play of the drive and the Rebels are in business. Ole Miss ball on the Panthers' 20-yard line.

- Austin Simmons and Co. make Georgia State pay for the turnover with a quick three-play, 20-yard touchdown drive. Simmons connects with Alabama transfer Caleb Odom for the touchdown.

Score Update: Ole Miss 39, Georgia State 7

- Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding continues putting his unit in efficient position with the Rebels forcing another Georgia State three-and-out. 4-play, 11-yard drive. Rebels take over on their own seven-yard line.

- Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy started off the Rebels' Week 1 matchup strong in the first half and has quickly carried the momentum into the third quarter. He's up to 86 yards on 14 rushing attempts with three touchdowns. Impressive Ole Miss debut for the Missouri transfer.

- After a Georgia State punt, Austin Simmons and Co. march down the field on quick drive, but settle for a field goal attempt. Kick is up and good for the Rebels.

End of 3Q: Ole Miss 41, Georgia State 7

Fourth Quarter:

- Austin Simmons continues an impressive starting debut for the Ole Miss Rebels: 20/31 passing for 341 yards and three touchdowns. He's bounced back after two early interceptions to lead the Rebels through the air.

- Simmons leads the offense down the field on a quick two-play, 61-yard touchdown drive with Ole Miss' signal-caller connecting with Penn State transfer wide receiver Harrison Wallace III for a 26-yard touchdown.

FINAL: Ole Miss 63, Georgia State 7

More Ole Miss News:

Ole Miss Football Fall Camp Notes: Which Quarterback Will Backup Austin Simmons?

The Preseason Coaches Poll Ranking: Ole Miss Football Comes in at No. 15

What It Means: Ole Miss Football Beats Out Michigan Wolverines for Coveted Linebacker

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