Austin Simmons shrugs off injury and delivers for Ole Miss when needed most

Austin Simmons might have to gut one out for Ole Miss after all.

Simmons, who was a game-time decision with an ankle injury, did not start, but entered the game late in the second quarter after Trinidad Chambliss had to leave the game after being struck on his throwing hand.

Chambliss, a transfer from Division II Ferris State, had been running the offense beautifully, leading the Rebels to touchdowns on their first three possessions.

But midway through his fourth possession, Chambliss had the Rebels driving again when he took a hit from Caleb Wooten that injured his hand and forced him to go to the sidelines. Simmons entered the game and actually rushed for 8 yards on a keeper before tossing  a touchdown pass to a wide open Trey Wallace in the corner of the end zone to give Ole Miss a 28-21 lead.

​Although Simmons successfully finished the drive, he was not moving well and limped back to the sidelines, barely putting weight on his injured left ankle. 

Chambliss returns before halftime

After Arkansas quickly scored to tie the game at 28, Chambliss came back on the field and looked fine leading the Rebels to a field goal — their fifth score in five first-half possessions -- to take a 31-28 lead into the half.

Kiffin spoke with Taylor McGregor at halftime and said Chambliss just needed to get his hand bandaged and should be good for the rest of the game. He added that Chambliss' strong performance is not a surprise.

This is why we brought him here, for these situations, and he's done a great job in scrimmage situations and now three games in a row," Kiffin said.

Chambliss threw for 231 yards in the first half with two rushing touchdowns.