Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

Lane Kiffin Issues Apology After Ole Miss-Kentucky

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Kevin Matthew Borba | Last updated Sep 6, 2025 7:57 PM ET

Lane Kiffin and the No. 20-ranked Ole Miss Rebels advanced to 2-0 on Saturday with a 30-23 win over the Kentucky Wildcats in Lexington, Kentucky.

Entering the game as a 7.5-point favorite (ESPN BET), Ole Miss just barely failed to cover the spread. With one minute, 10 seconds left and leading by 7, Ole Miss kicked a field goal to put it up by 10. However, with eight seconds left and Kentucky at the Ole Miss 21-yard line, Kiffin opted for a timeout, allowing the Wildcats time to trot out their field goal unit, get three points back and ultimately cover the spread.

After the game ended in a 30-23 win for Ole Miss, Kiffin openly acknowledged that he was aware of the spread and apologized to bettors for ruining their bet.

“Sorry to all the gamblers there at the end,” he said in classic Kiffin fashion.

Ole Miss beat Kentucky 30-23. The Wildcats (+8.5) made a field goal with 8 seconds to go to secure the backdoor cover.

After the game, Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin offered an apology to "a lot of gamblers there at the end." pic.twitter.com/54MbeE0s5s
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 6, 2025

Fans were not sure how to take this one. On one hand, it’s Kiffin. This is what we’ve grown accustomed to and love. On the flip side, plenty are tired of how big sports betting has become in today’s game, so coaches are mentioning the spread in postgame interviews.

"Wtf is a head coach doing even knowing the point spread," asked one user.

"Don’t be sorry, cover," joked a second.

"Kiffin is a modern day Spurrier," suggested another.

"Gambling will, if it hasn't already, ruin football," said another fan.

Considering a loss to a bad Kentucky team in 2024 helped end Ole Miss' College Football Playoff hopes, it's hard to imagine that Rebels fans are concerned about a backdoor cover. With that being said, Kiffin has always been a loose cannon.

The Rebels will host the Arkansas Razorbacks in the SEC opener for both teams next week.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: