Princely Umanmielen frustration boils over multiple times following Florida upset

Saturday went awry for Ole Miss, as a visit to Florida resulted in a 24-17 upset loss and a likely end to the Rebels’ playoff hopes. And it was especially frustrating for one former Gator and current Rebel, Princely Umanmielen.

The edge rusher transferred to the Rebels ahead of the 2024 season and Saturday marked his return to Gainesville for his first matchup against his former team. And in the dying moments, as Ole Miss’ fate was sealed, Umanmielen was seen been ushered from the stadium and out of the tunnel early, as his emotions apparently boiled over.

Further video shows him momentarily turning and trying to run back into the stadium once on the outside concourse, but he was grabbed and redirected toward the locker room by Ole Miss staffers and state troopers.

Update: Umanmielen spotted again crashing out after the game

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Umanmielen spent four years in Gainesvlle before transferring this season, and he wore a UF ski mask as the Rebels left Friday.

Umanmielen was a key piece of the Gators defense during his time with the program. He recorded 39 tackles in back-to-back seasons and set a new career-high in 2023 with 7.0 sacks and 12 tackles for loss. He then entered the transfer portal and committed to Ole Miss, where he anchors the Rebels’ pass rush.

He iswasin the midst of a career year through 10 games at Ole Miss. He has a career-high with 9.5 sacks – second on the Rebels’ roster – to go with 12 tackles for loss and 24 total tackles, along with a fumble recovery.

Umanmielen’s return is one of the big storylines entering Saturday’s game. He was one of the notable Florida players to transfer following the 2023 season, and Billy Napier has already faced one of them in running back Trevor Etienne, who’s now at Georgia. He called it part of the ever-changing landscape of college football.

“I think it’s just another week in college football,” Napier said. “Get used to it is what I would say. Yeah, I think I’ve commented on that in the past, and I think it’s just the next challenge.”

Ole Miss was looking to finish strong in its final two games out of the bye. Florida marked the Rebels’ last road trip of the season before they return home for the Egg Bowl against Mississippi State, which will be on Black Friday this year instead of Thanksgiving. Lane Kiffin’s group was also trying to make its case for the College Football Playoff after coming in at No. 9 in this week’s rankings reveal, and some big games could increase Ole Miss’ chances of making the 12-team bracket.