GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 08: De'zhaun Stribling #1 of the Ole Miss Rebels reaches for an incomplete pass in the end zone in front of Ethan O'Connor #24 of the Miami Hurricanes in the final seconds of the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium on January 08, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona.

Kiffin calls for interference on Ole Miss' game-ending play vs. Miami

Caio Miari
5 months ago
Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Fiesta Bowl ended in dramatic fashion Thursday, as Miami narrowly beat Ole Miss in a game that came down to a controversial final play.

Lane Kiffin, the Rebels' former head coach who left for LSU shortly before the College Football Playoff, reacted to Ole Miss' last-second effort, contending that officials missed a defensive pass interference.

Trailing 31-27, Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss targeted De'Zhaun Stribling in the end zone as time expired, but the attempt fell incomplete. Although Stribling appeared to protest to the referees, no flag was thrown.

However, Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding downplayed the non-call. Golding, who began the season as the school's defensive coordinator, replaced Kiffin on Nov. 30.

"Those situations are tough to call," Golding said, according to The Athletic's Matt Baker. "There was definitely contact; it happens a lot."

Miami advanced to the national title game with the victory over Ole Miss.

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