Jaxson Dart returns from injury as Ole Miss topples Georgia

Jaxson Dart returns from injury as Ole Miss topples Georgia

Jaxson Dart returns from injury as Ole Miss topples Georgia

OXFORD, Miss. — On Saturday night, Lane Kiffin sat in his office, taking in a moment he'd envisioned when he became Ole Miss' head coach on Dec. 9, 2019. Outside, cheers of "Hotty Toddy" filled the air as fans celebrated by carrying the Vaught-Hemingway Stadium goalposts through downtown Oxford's famed Square.


"This is why we came here," Kiffin told ESPN, reflecting on Ole Miss' first top-five win under his leadership—a commanding 28-10 victory over No. 3 Georgia. The Rebels reasserted themselves in the College Football Playoff conversation by outplaying the Bulldogs on both sides of the ball.


"A lot of good things have happened here, but not a signature game like this," Kiffin said. "Georgia is the team to beat for the playoff, and winning by three scores is rare against them."


The Rebels (8-2, 4-2) turned last year's 52-17 loss to Georgia into motivation. Kiffin acknowledged that Ole Miss focused on recruiting and building roster depth to close the gap with the reigning powerhouse. Georgia, a team that hadn't lost to anyone but Alabama since 2020, was physically overwhelmed by the Rebels, who controlled the lines of scrimmage.


The night started shakily for Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, who threw an interception on the opening drive that set up an early Georgia touchdown. Dart, injured during the play, briefly left the game, but freshman Austin Simmons stepped in and led a 75-yard drive to tie the score. Dart returned, determined to see the game through despite his injury.


"We feel like we're a few plays away from being the No. 1 team," Dart said, reflecting on the team's resilience after tough losses to Kentucky and LSU.


The Rebels' defense suffocated Georgia's offense, holding the Bulldogs to just 59 rushing yards and sacking quarterback Carson Beck five times. Beck struggled under constant pressure, completing 20 of 31 passes for 186 yards, with no touchdowns, an interception, and a fumble.


Ole Miss defensive end Jared Ivey summed it up: "We stopped the run and then we had some fun."


Georgia head coach Kirby Smart admitted that Ole Miss was the most talented opponent his team had faced this season. "They really should be unbeaten," Smart said, acknowledging that the Rebels outplayed and outcoached his team.


Kiffin downplayed playoff chatter, focusing instead on the team's momentum. Despite missing key players like star receiver Tre Harris III, Ole Miss has strung together three straight double-digit wins since their loss to LSU. "Our backs have been against the wall, and sometimes that makes you fight harder," Kiffin noted.


The only hiccup in Ole Miss' triumphant night came when fans stormed the field prematurely with 16 seconds remaining, requiring officials to clear the field to finish the game. When time finally expired, fans returned, tearing down the goalposts in celebration.


Kiffin joked with athletic director Keith Carter about potentially paying two fines, to which Carter responded, "And that's OK." For Kiffin and the Rebels, the victory was proof that their hard work, hype, and investments in building the team had paid off.


"We're peaking, and I think everybody sees that," Dart concluded.