Referees missed a critical facemask penalty during a pivotal fourth quarter drive as the Ole Miss Rebels and Georgia Bulldogs traded blows in a Sugar Bowl thriller in New Orleans.
On a 2nd and 3 play, Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy took a handoff and was met immediately in the backfield by Georgia defensive lineman Joseph Jonah-Ajonye. Replays showed Jonah-Ajonye clearly grabbing and pulling Lacy by the facemask, but no flag was thrown despite visible reactions from the Rebels’ sideline.
The missed call proved costly. One play later, quarterback Trinidad Chambliss threw a rare incompletion, forcing Ole Miss to punt instead of benefiting from what would have been a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down. Georgia took possession trailing by three, with a chance to swing momentum late.
FACEMASK? Pic.twitter.com/LRMRWQTl7s
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) January 2, 2026
While the no-call drew frustration, Ole Miss ultimately overcame the setback, holding on for a 39-34 victory in a College Football Playoff classic that won’t soon be forgotten.
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