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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Football vs. Louisville: Practice Report
9/2/2026 | Football
OXFORD, Miss. – With game week officially underway, Ole Miss is turning its attention toward the Louisville Cardinals as the Rebels put the finishing touches on preparations for the season opener. After a long offseason and fall camp, the Rebels are eager to finally take the field against an opponent and put their work to the test.
Head coach Pete Golding met with reporters alongside quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, running back Kewan Lacy and safety Sharif Denson as the Rebels prepare for Sunday's season opener against Louisville. After a long offseason, the tone inside the Manning Center is focused and ready. This week's practice report is presented by Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center.
Getting Ready for Louisville
Golding said the Rebels' mock game Saturday gave him a clearer picture of where his team stands heading into the opener. He was encouraged by the effort and attention to detail but was direct about what still needs to be cleaned up.
"There were some explosives in that scrimmage because of lack of communication," he said. "If you do that this coming Sunday, you're not going to win the football game."
He called Louisville's offense as challenging as any the Rebels will see all season, pointing specifically to running back Isaac Brown, who averaged 8.8 yards per carry last year and presents a significant test in Week 1.
"I think he's one of the best backs we'll see all year when you really watch him on tape," Golding said. "Really good in space. He's got top-end speed to be able to finish."
Golding added that the Rebels' daily work against Kewan Lacy in camp has been the best possible preparation for that challenge.
On Louisville's defense, Golding highlighted the length and athleticism on the edges as the primary concern for the Ole Miss offense. The Cardinals led the ACC in pass defense a year ago, and Golding said protecting the football and staying ahead of the chains will be critical.
"This to me is an SEC game," he said. "You got to run the football, stop the run, take care of the football, and win the turnover battle or you're not going to like the outcome."
Golding said he is not concerned about the sleep he will get the night before the game. The sleepless nights, he said, come during the week. By Saturday, the work is done.
"By that point, you've either done the right things and got a really good plan and practiced extremely hard, or you haven't. That's my best night's rest for sure."
QB1 Is Ready
Chambliss said that after a long offseason, the arrival of game week has been a welcome change.
"Definitely excited to play someone other than Ole Miss football and seeing PG's defense," he said. "It's been a long offseason and we're ready to go."
Asked where he has grown the most since last season, Chambliss pointed to his leadership and football IQ as the two biggest areas of development.
"Being more vocal, leading by example, whether it's in workouts, practice, or watching film," he said. "And then my football IQ has increased. I'm picking up on little things to make sure I'm the best football player for this team."
He also spoke glowingly about the new receiver room, saying the group has been eager to understand how to make his job easier from day one.
"They always ask me, how can I help you being the quarterback and them being the receiver," Chambliss said. "They're very eager to learn and I appreciate that. I'm excited to see what they'll do against defenses this year."
Built for This Moment
Lacy, whose face alongside Chambliss appeared on the Sphere in Las Vegas and on screens in Times Square this week as part of the season's promotional rollout, said the moment means a lot but has not changed his approach.
"I just try to focus on the main thing," he said. "Being prepared for the moment because I know the day is going to come when we go back on the field and just have fun and play ball."
Lacy said the running back room around him has added real explosiveness this season and that he is excited about the pieces the Rebels now have at that position. He also reflected on how his relationship with Chambliss has continued to grow, noting that the quarterback has fully grown into his role as a leader.
"I feel like our bond just keeps getting better and better," Lacy said. "Seeing him grow has just been amazing."
Chemistry In The Secondary
Denson, who transferred from Florida, said the chemistry in the secondary has developed quickly throughout camp.
"I would say we have great chemistry at the moment and we just continue to build it day by day," he said.
He credited the mock game Saturday for helping ease the nerves heading into Sunday.
"You already kind of went through everything and already been in those same shoes," Denson said. "We just got to go out there and handle business." Stay Connected
Stay up to date with all the latest Ole Miss football news and content! Subscribe to The Sip, the official newsletter of Rebel football, and we'll drop the best Ole Miss football stories, videos and social media content to your inbox each week.
Update today to the all-new version of the Ole Miss Sports app, presented by Renasant Bank! The new app will serve as a dynamic hub for Rebel gameday content, including ticketing, parking, schedules, shopping for official Ole Miss merchandise and much more. Click here for more info or to download.
Head coach Pete Golding met with reporters alongside quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, running back Kewan Lacy and safety Sharif Denson as the Rebels prepare for Sunday's season opener against Louisville. After a long offseason, the tone inside the Manning Center is focused and ready. This week's practice report is presented by Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center.
Getting Ready for Louisville
Golding said the Rebels' mock game Saturday gave him a clearer picture of where his team stands heading into the opener. He was encouraged by the effort and attention to detail but was direct about what still needs to be cleaned up.
"There were some explosives in that scrimmage because of lack of communication," he said. "If you do that this coming Sunday, you're not going to win the football game."
He called Louisville's offense as challenging as any the Rebels will see all season, pointing specifically to running back Isaac Brown, who averaged 8.8 yards per carry last year and presents a significant test in Week 1.
"I think he's one of the best backs we'll see all year when you really watch him on tape," Golding said. "Really good in space. He's got top-end speed to be able to finish."
Golding added that the Rebels' daily work against Kewan Lacy in camp has been the best possible preparation for that challenge.
On Louisville's defense, Golding highlighted the length and athleticism on the edges as the primary concern for the Ole Miss offense. The Cardinals led the ACC in pass defense a year ago, and Golding said protecting the football and staying ahead of the chains will be critical.
"This to me is an SEC game," he said. "You got to run the football, stop the run, take care of the football, and win the turnover battle or you're not going to like the outcome."
Golding said he is not concerned about the sleep he will get the night before the game. The sleepless nights, he said, come during the week. By Saturday, the work is done.
"By that point, you've either done the right things and got a really good plan and practiced extremely hard, or you haven't. That's my best night's rest for sure."
QB1 Is Ready
Chambliss said that after a long offseason, the arrival of game week has been a welcome change.
"Definitely excited to play someone other than Ole Miss football and seeing PG's defense," he said. "It's been a long offseason and we're ready to go."
Asked where he has grown the most since last season, Chambliss pointed to his leadership and football IQ as the two biggest areas of development.
"Being more vocal, leading by example, whether it's in workouts, practice, or watching film," he said. "And then my football IQ has increased. I'm picking up on little things to make sure I'm the best football player for this team."
He also spoke glowingly about the new receiver room, saying the group has been eager to understand how to make his job easier from day one.
"They always ask me, how can I help you being the quarterback and them being the receiver," Chambliss said. "They're very eager to learn and I appreciate that. I'm excited to see what they'll do against defenses this year."
Built for This Moment
Lacy, whose face alongside Chambliss appeared on the Sphere in Las Vegas and on screens in Times Square this week as part of the season's promotional rollout, said the moment means a lot but has not changed his approach.
"I just try to focus on the main thing," he said. "Being prepared for the moment because I know the day is going to come when we go back on the field and just have fun and play ball."
Lacy said the running back room around him has added real explosiveness this season and that he is excited about the pieces the Rebels now have at that position. He also reflected on how his relationship with Chambliss has continued to grow, noting that the quarterback has fully grown into his role as a leader.
"I feel like our bond just keeps getting better and better," Lacy said. "Seeing him grow has just been amazing."
Chemistry In The Secondary
Denson, who transferred from Florida, said the chemistry in the secondary has developed quickly throughout camp.
"I would say we have great chemistry at the moment and we just continue to build it day by day," he said.
He credited the mock game Saturday for helping ease the nerves heading into Sunday.
"You already kind of went through everything and already been in those same shoes," Denson said. "We just got to go out there and handle business." Stay Connected
Stay up to date with all the latest Ole Miss football news and content! Subscribe to The Sip, the official newsletter of Rebel football, and we'll drop the best Ole Miss football stories, videos and social media content to your inbox each week.
Update today to the all-new version of the Ole Miss Sports app, presented by Renasant Bank! The new app will serve as a dynamic hub for Rebel gameday content, including ticketing, parking, schedules, shopping for official Ole Miss merchandise and much more. Click here for more info or to download.
Players Mentioned
Wednesday, September 02
Tuesday, September 01
Tuesday, September 01
Tuesday, September 01