Georgia vs. Ole Miss end-of-game delay: Explaining chaos in final moments of 2026 Sugar Bowl

Georgia vs. Ole Miss end-of-game delay: Explaining chaos in final moments of 2026 Sugar Bowl originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Ole Miss Rebels are advancing to the College Football Playoff semifinals, but it didn’t come easily.

The Lane Kiffin-less Rebels had to overcome a nine-point halftime deficit, navigate plenty of back-and-forth calls, and contend with a strong performance from Georgia’s offense in the Sugar Bowl. Even after a game-winning field goal, Ole Miss faced added drama in the final seconds.

Just when the game seemed over following a safety on the final kickoff, officials added time to the clock, giving Georgia one last possession after a lengthy delay. Ole Miss held on for a 39-34 victory.

Here’s a look at the chaotic final moments of the Sugar Bowl.

MORE: Breaking down Trinidad Chambliss' huge game vs. Georgia

Georgia-Ole Miss ending, explained

The biggest play of the night for Ole Miss was a field goal from Lucas Carneiro with six seconds remaining in regulation after Georgia had come back to tie it at 34. With the 48-yard field goal, Ole Miss reclaimed the lead and put a ton of pressure on the Bulldogs to make some magic happen in the final moments of their season.

OLE MISS MAKES THE KICK WITH SIX SECONDS REMAINING 😱 pic.twitter.com/fJC66nZ8Al

— ESPN (@espn) January 2, 2026

On the following kickoff, Georgia's Landon Roldan returned the kick out of the end zone, but he then turned to throw the ball back behind him. But nobody else was there, partially due to one of his teammates falling to the ground, allowing the ball to bounce all the way to the other sideline and out of bounds.

Initially, it appeared that the game was over from time expiring, and Ole Miss received an extra two points from the safety.

Regardless, both teams emptied onto the field as if the game was over, stages were brought onto the field and Ole Miss was celebrating.

OLE MISS WINS!

Here's the go-ahead field goal and ensuing kickoff that resulted in a safety.

Sean McDonough on the call for ESPN. 🏈🔥🎙️ #CFPhttps://t.co/DHgVt8xsAWpic.twitter.com/qA3qFgoQIO

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 2, 2026

However, it became clear that the officials weren't completely satisfied with the game's conclusion. On the kickoff play, there was ruled to be one second still remaining, meaning the Bulldogs had to go out for a free kick.

After players made their way back onto the field, Georgia then recovered its free kick, so no time was taken off the clock. That meant the Bulldogs then got an opportunity for one more play with a second remaining, lining up for a ton of pitches and anything they could muster up with no time left. 

After plenty of laterals, Ole Miss finally ended it for good by tackling Gunner Stockton. Minutes after appearing to already win the game, including a Gatorade bath for head coach Pete Golding, the Rebels officially got the win.

The saga included entire stages being pushed on and back off the field:

And here's the *official* ending after a bit of chaos.

Sean McDonough: "Matt, this is feeling like an excruciating ending to a classic game. Does common sense need to prevail here?"

Matt Austin: "Well, yes, but we do have rules we have to follow." 🏈🦓🎙️ #CFPhttps://t.co/UZIoeWwxK8pic.twitter.com/Puh9ym6fsT

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 2, 2026