After defeating Furman and Middle Tennessee, Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss Rebels registered their third victory against Wake Forest on September 14th. This victory is not only an addition to Rebel’s unbeaten beginning of the season but also showcases their preparation and mindset for the coming week. Moreover, their third victory was special for another reason- something that concern Kiffin.

The Kiffin household has a legacy in football. Monte Kiffin, Super Bowl champion of XXXVII, is the late father of head coach Lane Kiffin. He spent 30 years of his life as an NFL assistant coach, out of which 13 years he served as the defensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With a long history in the same sport, emotional moments on the field are not a new thing. After Rebel’s victory of 40-6 over Wake Forest, Lane Kiffin was seen reflecting on a very personal memory. After the game, Chris Low, an ESPN writer, tweeted, “Ole Miss’ 40-6 win Saturday over Wake Forest carried special meaning for Lane Kiffin.” Chris’s tweet reminded Lane of a similar victory his father had once achieved on the same ground.

Monte was known as a defensive coordinator back then; he was considered one of the great minds in football. He guided NC State to a 28-23 victory over Wake Forest in 1981. Then the same stadium was known as Groves Stadium. Rebel’s victory over Forest is very special for Lane, and the father-son duo share 1-0 in Wake Forest Stadium. Lane replied to Chris’s tweet with a heart emoji.

The football connection runs deep into the family. Monte’s youngest son is also Chris, who played college football with Colorado State. Following in the footsteps of his father and elder brother, he also started coaching. He has served as an assistant coach for the Houston Texans, Cleveland Browns, and a few more. Monte Kiffin influences Lane and Chris’s coaching career. Memories like this are part of every legendary family, and Lane getting emotional with 43-year-old Memory showcases his connection with football, his team, and his family.

Why will Ole Miss not host Wake Forest in 2025?

Ole Miss clearly dominated Wake Forest with 34 points. Standout performances from quarterback Jaxson Dart, their wide receiver Tre Harris, and most importantly, their strong defense troubled their entire Wake Forest team. However, there may not be a rematch between the two teams. Dave Clawson’s team was originally scheduled to face Ole Miss again on September 13, 2025. This was going to be a home-and-home series.

But after the game, Lane Kiffin revealed that Clawson and his team had chosen to “buy out” the return matchup. The contract with Wake Forest was signed in 2014 and included a $1,000,000 cancellation fee in case either team opted out of the game. The 2025 game would have satisfied the SEC’s terms and conditions to play against a power conference program. With Saturday’s victory, Ole Miss has received their first win over Wake Forest.