Ole Miss turns turnovers into 52-17 Vanderbilt rout

No. 9/11 Ole Miss beat Vanderbilt 52-17 on a rainy Saturday at FirstBank Stadium, using three first-half takeaways to seize control before halftime.

The Rebels followed an opening three-and-out with touchdowns on four consecutive possessions. Trinidad Chambliss accounted for four first-half scores, throwing three touchdown passes and adding a 10-yard touchdown run as Ole Miss built a 42-3 lead.

Two Vanderbilt fumbles and an interception produced 21 first-half points for the Rebels. Ole Miss finished with 24 points off four Commodores turnovers, a decisive swing in a game in which the Rebels held a 284-158 yardage advantage through the opening 30 minutes.

Chambliss completed 20 of 30 passes for 213 yards and three touchdowns. Makhi Frazier rushed 13 times for 73 yards, leading an Ole Miss ground game that totaled 196 yards.

Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis completed 19 of 32 passes for 222 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He connected with Ja’Cory Thomas for a 13-yard score to finish a 12-play, 75-yard drive that opened the second half. Thomas’ first touchdown catch this season was his sixth.

Makhilyn Young led Vanderbilt with 40 rushing yards on nine carries, while Jamezell Lassiter added a late touchdown run for his first score of the season. The Commodores finished with 240 passing yards and 103 rushing yards.

Junior Sherrill caught five passes for 55 yards and became the ninth Vanderbilt player to reach 2,000 career receiving yards. His 43-game reception streak was the FBS’ longest active. Brock Taylor made a 45-yard field goal and two extra points, moving into second place on Vanderbilt’s career scoring list with 226 points.

Why it matters

Vanderbilt’s four turnovers directly produced 24 Ole Miss points, including 21 before halftime. Sherrill and Taylor still reached major program milestones during the loss.