OXFORD — Knox Kiffin had plenty support from the sideline in his first playoff game as Oxford’s quarterback.
In addition to his dad, Ole Miss football coach Lane Kiffin, being there, comedian Theo Von and Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss watched some of Oxford’s 42-6 win over Hernando in the first round of the MHSAA Class 7A playoffs Nov. 14.
The No. 7 Ole Miss (9-1, 5-1 SEC) hosts Florida (3-6, 2-4) on Nov. 15 (6 p.m., ESPN) in a game that could put the Rebels one step closer to making the College Football Playoff for the first time.
“It was great,” Knox Kiffin said of the support. “I really appreciate them coming. Especially Trinidad, who has a game tomorrow, and Theo, who doesn’t need to come but still came. It was really cool.”
Von is a friend of Lane Kiffin’s.
Knox Kiffin started his fourth consecutive game for the Chargers (10-1). The 6-foot-1 sophomore was 8-for-15 passing for 93 yards and two touchdowns. He threw one interception on a last-ditch opportunity with eight seconds left in the second quarter that did no harm.
Because Hernando (7-4) couldn’t get anything going against the Oxford defense, Knox Kiffin didn’t need to sling the ball for most of the second half. Running back Demar Jameson had 109 rushing yards and four total touchdowns.
“They are gonna drop cover four and all that,” Knox Kiffin said. “They can’t guard the run if they want to go deep. Demar just had a night.”
In the third quarter, Knox Kiffin threaded a pass 27 yards on a deep route that was placed where only Kevin Smith Jr. could get it. Smith, the son of Ole Miss running backs coach Kevin Smith, high pointed the ball and crashed back down in the end zone for a touchdown.
“They wanted to do one-on-one, which they should never do,” Knox Kiffin said. “They did. He had a post and made a great grab in the end zone.”
Knox Kiffin took over as starter on Oct. 24 after Drew Dean was injured. Dean came in against Hernando when the game was out of hand in the second half.
“It feels great, but we’ve got to be on to the next week,” Knox Kiffin said.
Oxford advances to host Horn Lake on Nov. 21 (7 p.m.) in the second round of the playoffs.
What Lane Kiffin said about watching Knox Kiffin play
Lane Kiffin said he tries to be a low-maintenance parent when watching his son, Knox Kiffin, play high school football.
Even as someone qualified to give advice and input, he strives to be a dad first. He knows how frustrating the alternative is to deal with.
“I stay out of it,” Kiffin said Nov. 10. “I think (Oxford) Coach (Chris) Cutcliffe does a great job with the team, with the offense, with the quarterbacks specifically. I just was never going to be that parent because I’ve dealt with a lot of parents like that and especially at that position. I try to be the refreshing quarterback parent.”
Who is recruiting Knox Kiffin?
Knox is a quarterback recruit in the class of 2028. He recently moved to Oxford. The Chargers are one of the top teams in MHSAA 7A.
Knox has earned eight offers according to 247Sports. Ole Miss is not one of them. Knox has offers from SMU, Arkansas State, Western Kentucky, Sacramento State, Murray State, Georgia State, FIU and East Carolina.
Where has Knox Kiffin visited?
Knox visited LSU for the game against South Carolina on Oct. 11 and visited Alabama on Nov. 8 for the game against LSU.
He does not have any offers in the SEC.
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
