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Ole Miss Overcomes Nightmare Start to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

Rebels had about worst start possible to its game against Georgia, but bounced back to win 28-10 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

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Ole Miss defensive back John Saunders Jr. (5) reacts with linebacker Chris Paul Jr. (11) after a defensive stop during the first half against Georgia
Ole Miss Rebels defensive back John Saunders Jr. (5) reacts with linebacker Chris Paul Jr. (11) after a defensive stop during the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. / Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

OXFORD, Miss. – No. 16 Ole Miss couldn’t have had a worse start to its game against No. 3 Georgia. Quarterback Jaxson Dart was sacked then threw an interception the Bulldogs took and scored a touchdown. Dart also suffered an injury to his left foot, causing him to miss the Rebels’ second possession and playing the rest of the game with noticeable pain.

It was the kind of start that makes fans say “here we go again” but Saturday was different.

Freshman quarterback Austin Simmons came into the game for Ole Miss’s second possession and led the Rebels to their first points of the game. Dart would miss just the one possession and lead the Rebels to a 28-10 win.

The Rebels’ defense held Georgia to just 233 yards of offense, including only 70 rushing yards and forced three Bulldog turnovers. The nation’s leader in tackles for a loss added four more to its resume. Princely Umanmielen had two sacks and Jared Ivey and Suntarine Perkins each had one sack.

Offensively, the Rebels ran for 133 yards and Dart and Simmons combined to throw for 263 yards. Dart’s interception on the game’s opening series was the Ole Miss turnover in the game.

Most importantly, the Rebels’ hopes of making the College Football Playoff are still alive. Ole Miss couldn’t afford another loss with two losses, but now Georgia joins the long list of SEC teams with only two losses.

Saturday’s win against Georgia, though, is just the first of three must-win games if Ole Miss wants to compete for a national championship. The Rebels will need to win its final two games of the season against Florida on Nov. 23 and then against Mississippi State six days later.

The odds will be in the Rebels’ favor, but nothing is guaranteed in college football.

2024 Ole Miss Football

Sat, Aug 31vs Furman W, 76-0
Sat, Sep 7vs Middle TennesseeW, 52-3
Sat, Sep 14@ Wake ForestW, 40-6
Sat, Sep 21vs Georgia SouthernW, 52-13
Sat, Sep 28vs KentuckyL, 20-17
Sat, Oct 5@ South CarolinaW, 27-3
Sat, Oct 12vs LSUL, 29-26 (2 OT)
Sat, Oct 26vs OklahomaW, 26-14
Sat, Nov 2@ ArkansasW, 63-35
Sat, Nov 16vs GeorgiaW, 28-10
Sat, Nov 23@ FloridaL, 24-17
Sat, Nov 30vs Mississippi StateW, 26-14