Couple gets engaged on field at Ole Miss game — and Lane Kiffin joins the celebration

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin wanted to get in on the fun.

Drew O’Connor, a former pole vaulter for the Rebels, proposed to his girlfriend on the field at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium during halftime of Ole Miss’s 49-0 blowout win over The Citadel on Saturday, and while the two were celebrating, Kiffin hopped in and surprised the newly engaged couple.

While the couple was taking a picture following O’Connor’s proposal — where he faked kicking a field goal while his girlfriend held the ball before getting down on one knee — Kiffin put his arm around the couple while smiling for the camera.

It appeared that O’Connor and his girlfriend were surprised Kiffin photobombed them, as they both just gave the head coach a glance before going back and taking more photos.

Kiffin’s No. 7-ranked Rebels had perhaps their most lopsided win of the season on Saturday, as they held the Bulldogs to just 106 total yards compared to Mississippi’s 603.

Lane Kiffin jumped into the photo after the proposal Nov. 8. Screengrab via X/@OleMissSports

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss led the team’s offense with 333 passing yards and three touchdowns while completing 29-of-33 passes.

“Trinidad, we challenged him to play really efficient, not to try and go for big plays but to have a really good day, not stat-wise but efficiency, which shows up in stats,” Kiffin told reporters following the win.

Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin looks on during the first quarter of Mississippi’s win over South Carolina on Nov. 1, 2025. Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Running back Kewan Lacy had three touchdowns of his own on the ground, rushing for 49 yards on 11 carries.

The Rebels, who are currently ranked No. 6 by the College Football Playoff committee, are set to play against Florida next week, with Kiffin’s name reportedly being thrown around to replace fired Gators head coach Billy Napier.

“I’m excited to play Florida. They have athletes over there. I know their coach got fired, but you saw they put up a good fight against Georgia. They’ve got fight in their team. We can’t get too ahead of ourselves. We have to play our game, and I think we’ll be OK,” Chambliss said.