Rebels Deliver Major Blow to Bulldogs, SEC Title Race Now Wide Open
No. 16 Ole Miss notched a landmark victory on Saturday, outpacing No. 3 Georgia with a 28-10 win and keeping their College Football Playoff dreams alive. In what’s being celebrated as the biggest win of Lane Kiffin’s tenure, the Rebels’ defense led the charge, halting Georgia’s comeback with a crucial interception and setting up their offense to finish the job.
Game-Changing Defensive Play Crushes Georgia’s Hopes
With just over seven minutes remaining, Georgia’s chances of a comeback flickered when quarterback Carson Beck’s fourth-down pass was intercepted by Ole Miss’s John Saunders Jr., snuffing out a final hope for the Bulldogs. The Rebels’ defense had shown up strong all game, but Saunders’ interception at Ole Miss’s 27-yard line all but sealed the victory. A few plays later, Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart, fighting through an ankle injury, ran for 28 yards to set up a final field goal, putting Ole Miss up by 15 and leaving Georgia no timeouts with only minutes left to play.
This victory marks Ole Miss’s first win against a top-two ranked team in the AP Top 25 at home — a feat never before achieved in their history. For Georgia, it was the first SEC loss outside of Alabama in four years, making this a blow not just for the Bulldogs, but for their playoff hopes as well.
Fan Frenzy Nearly Cuts Game Short
Fans couldn’t wait to celebrate; they stormed the field with 16 seconds left, mistakenly thinking the game had ended. The delay was brief but notable, as stadium officials worked to clear the crowd for the final play. Once the official whistle blew, Rebels fans spilled back onto the field in an eruption of joy, creating a scene to remember in Oxford.
Redemption for Ole Miss Defense After Last Year’s Rout
The Rebels’ 2023 game against Georgia was a low point, with Ole Miss allowing over 600 yards of total offense, including 300 on the ground, in a 52-17 loss. That game became a rallying cry in the offseason, as Kiffin focused on beefing up the defense, particularly the defensive line, through the transfer portal.
Additions like Princely Umanmielen from Florida and Walter Nolen from Texas A&M proved invaluable. By Saturday, the revamped defensive line had transformed Ole Miss into the SEC’s leading team in sacks, and they delivered once again. The Rebels sacked Beck five times, applying relentless pressure on the Bulldogs and effectively neutralizing Georgia’s ground game.
Georgia, which had averaged nearly 10 yards per carry in last year’s meeting, was limited to 59 yards on 33 carries after factoring in the Rebels’ sacks. The contrast between the two games was stark — this time, Ole Miss’s defense was ready.
Dart’s Resilience Powers Ole Miss to Victory
Ole Miss’s offense faced its own early challenges, as quarterback Jaxson Dart suffered an apparent ankle injury in the first quarter. Dart limped to the locker room, only to return moments later and take back the reins from freshman Austin Simmons, who had replaced him briefly and led a touchdown drive to tie the game.
Despite his injury, Dart showed grit, leading Ole Miss as both passer and rusher. He ended the game with 199 passing yards, going 13-of-22, and threw a touchdown to Juice Wells. His mobility was clearly limited, but he still emerged as the team’s leading rusher, making critical plays that kept the Rebels ahead.
SEC Standings Shake-Up
With Georgia’s loss, the SEC title picture now has a fresh layer of intrigue. Georgia’s once-clear path to another championship is now muddled, as their 5-2 conference record tightens the standings. Teams like Alabama, Missouri, and Ole Miss now have a clearer shot, with the race still very much open.
This season’s College Football Playoff race has already been unpredictable, and this latest upset brings new hope to the Rebels and other teams who were on the bubble. As it stands, Ole Miss now has a legitimate case for consideration in the playoff conversation, especially if they continue their momentum.
Key Stats and Takeaways
- Ole Miss Sacks: The Rebels, now leading the SEC in sacks, recorded five more in Saturday’s game.
- Jaxson Dart’s Performance: Despite an ankle injury, Dart finished with 199 passing yards and a team-leading rushing effort.
- Georgia’s Struggles on the Ground: The Bulldogs managed only 59 yards on the ground after sacks were accounted for.
Ole Miss heads into their next game with high spirits and renewed playoff hopes, while Georgia is left to regroup as they look ahead to keep their postseason dreams alive.
