Archbishop Rummel entered the fourth quarter facing a nine-point deficit, but the Raiders never folded.
Led by Georgia quarterback commit Colton Nussmeier, Rummel scored 15 unanswered points in the final period and stunned University High, 34-28, Friday night at Jeff Morris Field in Baton Rouge.
Nussmeier delivered the decisive blow with 30 seconds remaining, connecting with senior wide receiver Nathaniel “Boo” Singleton for a 28-yard touchdown. The game-winning score completed a 73-yard drive that took only 36 seconds and gave the Raiders a dramatic season-opening victory.
The highly anticipated quarterback matchup between Nussmeier and U-High’s Knox Kiffin lived up to the hype. Nussmeier completed 17 of 31 passes for 294 yards and two touchdowns while adding another score on the ground. Kiffin finished 10 of 17 for 260 yards and a touchdown.
After a scoreless first quarter, the offenses exploded for 40 combined points in the second.
U-High running back Corbin Odell opened the scoring with a three-yard touchdown run. Rummel quickly answered when Nussmeier found Kirby Cade Jr. for 38 yards, setting up Tulane commit Jaden Terrance’s 27-yard touchdown run.
Odell broke loose for a 79-yard touchdown on U-High’s next possession, and a successful fake extra point gave the Cubs a 14-7 advantage. Rummel pulled within one on Coryan Hawkins’ one-yard touchdown run, but U-High responded with one of the game’s most exciting plays.
Kiffin completed a short pass to Kevin Smith Jr., who pitched the ball to UNLV commit Emmanuel Moses on a perfectly executed hook-and-lateral. Moses raced the rest of the way to complete an 80-yard touchdown.
Nussmeier answered before halftime by scrambling 33 yards for a score, cutting U-High’s lead to 21-19.
Odell recorded his third rushing touchdown early in the second half, extending the Cubs’ advantage to 28-19. He finished his impressive season opener with 183 all-purpose yards.
Rummel began its comeback when Nussmeier connected with Cade for a 21-yard touchdown. The Raiders still trailed 28-26 and later turned the ball over on downs with only 2:25 remaining.
The Rummel defense responded when the Raiders needed it most. Nicholls State defensive tackle commit Russ Lewis Jr. helped disrupt U-High’s final possession, forcing a quick three-and-out and giving Nussmeier one last opportunity.
With 1:11 remaining, Nussmeier converted a crucial third-and-long pass to Cade before finding Singleton on a short throw. Singleton broke away from the initial defender and raced into the end zone for the winning score.
Rummel finished with 517 yards of total offense, including 294 through the air and 223 on the ground. U-High accumulated 415 total yards but was held scoreless in the fourth quarter.
The victory gives Rummel a statement win to begin the 2026 season. The Raiders will face Vandebilt Catholic next Friday at Joe Yenni Stadium, while U-High will attempt to bounce back Thursday against Madison Prep Academy.