In a heartbreaking finish to the 2025 season, the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs fell 39-34 to the No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day.

The Dawgs, fresh off an SEC championship, led by nine points at halftime but couldn’t hold off a furious second-half rally from the Rebels, capped by a 47-yard game-winning field goal with six seconds remaining.

Georgia finishes the year 12-2, with both losses coming in high-stakes postseason environments. Here are five key takeaways from Thursday night’s stunning defeat:

1. The Fourth-Quarter Magic Finally Ran Out

Georgia entered the game with an impeccable record in close contests, but the Bulldogs’ streak of resilience in the final frame came to an end.

After building a 21-12 halftime lead behind strong rushing from Nate Frazier and Cash Jones, the offense stalled in the second half, managing just three points on their first four possessions after the break.

A late rally tied the game at 34-34 on a Peyton Woodring field goal with 56 seconds left, but Ole Miss quickly responded with a 40-yard bomb to set up the winner. The Dawgs had won 75 straight games when leading entering the fourth quarter — until tonight.

2. Gunner Stockton Showed Promise, But Inexperience Showed in Crunch Time

First-year starter Gunner Stockton battled valiantly in his biggest stage yet, completing 15 of 31 passes for 219 yards and a touchdown while adding a scrambling score on the ground.

He engineered key drives late, including the game-tying march, displaying the toughness and improvisation that could make him a star in 2026.

However, critical sacks and a late fumble on a chaotic kickoff return highlighted the growing pains of a young quarterback facing a relentless Ole Miss pass rush. Stockton’s performance offers hope for the future, but the margin for error in playoff football proved too slim.

3. Defense Couldn’t Contain Trinidad Chambliss’ Heroics

The Bulldogs’ vaunted defense, which had rounded into elite form late in the season, struggled to slow down Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss in the second half.

The Division II transfer turned portal gem went 30-for-46 for 362 yards and two touchdowns, repeatedly escaping pressure with magical scrambles and hitting big plays to receivers like Harrison Wallace III (156 yards, TD) and De’Zhaun Stribling (122 yards).

Chambliss’ 40-yard completion in the final seconds set up the decisive kick. Georgia forced some stops but allowed Ole Miss to outscore them 20-10 in the fourth, avenging the Rebels’ regular-season loss in Athens.

4. Special Teams and Late Execution Proved Costly

Kirby Smart’s aggressive calls — including a successful fake punt that led to points — kept Georgia in control early. But in the end, execution faltered: a missed facemask non-call aided a drive, a fumbled kickoff return led to a safety, and chaotic laterals on the final play sealed the defeat.

Kicker Peyton Woodring was solid, but the inability to punch in a touchdown from close range late forced a tying field goal instead of a potential lead.

Small mistakes in a thriller like this were magnified against a hot Ole Miss team playing with house money.

5. End of an Era? Questions Loom for 2026

This marks back-to-back playoff quarterfinal exits for Georgia, a stark contrast to the dominant 2021-2022 title runs.

With key departures looming on both lines and in the secondary, plus the transfer portal churning, Kirby Smart faces a rebuild to sustain the Bulldogs’ elite status in an expanding SEC.

The young core — led by Stockton, Frazier, and emerging defenders — provides optimism, but falling short against a resilient Ole Miss squad (now heading to the Fiesta Bowl semifinal) underscores the razor-thin margins in today’s college football landscape.

Final Word

Dawg Nation will process this one for a while, but the foundation remains strong in Athens. On to recruiting and the offseason. Go Dawgs.