Year one of the Pete Golding era at Ole Miss will begin in Nashville on Sunday, Sept. 6.
The university’s athletics department announced Thursday that an official date and time have been set for the Music City Kickoff between Ole Miss and Louisville. The game will be played at the Tennessee Titans’ Nissan Stadium, beginning at 6:30 p.m. CT. ABC and participating SuperTalk Mississippi stations will air the matchup, and tickets will go on sale April 8.
“This matchup was already a tremendous opportunity for our program, kicking off Coach Golding’s first full season at the helm against a high-caliber opponent like Louisville, set in a premier destination like Nashville. Now with the added spotlight of a Sunday primetime national broadcast, the stage is even bigger,” Ole Miss Athletics Director Keith Carter said.
“We’re confident Rebel alumni and fans throughout Music City will turn out in great numbers to create an electric atmosphere and be part of a memorable night.”
This won’t be the inaugural meeting between the two programs, as the two first squared off in Atlanta during the 2021 season opener. The Rebels won that battle 43-24, with former head coach Lane Kiffin unable to participate, as he was quarantining after testing positive for COVID-19.
Kiffin, of course, is now leading the football charge at LSU, and Golding was promoted from within to run things at Ole Miss. The former defensive coordinator was named the Rebels’ permanent head coach two days after the Egg Bowl. Golding led the red and blue to a blowout victory over Tulane in the opening round of the College Football Playoff and a thrilling win versus Georgia in the Sugar Bowl before suffering a heartbreaking defeat against Miami in the semifinals.
Off the field, Golding proved effective in landing some of the top prospects from other colleges, as Ole Miss had what was widely considered one of the top transfer portal classes. The newly minted frontman was also masterful in player retention, most notably keeping star quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, running back Kewan Lacy, and defensive tackle Will Echoles.
Ole Miss will likely enter the 2026-27 campaign as a top-10 team, and expectations are for the team to be among the title contenders in the playoff once again.
“When they give you all the things that you need, and then you go recruit good players, you’ve got to perform well. Hopefully, these opportunities will continue,” Golding said of giving Ole Miss fans chances to see the Rebels in the College Football Playoff in the future.