The college football world was turned upside down on Saturday as the No. 16 Ole Miss Rebels stunned the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs 28-10 in a rain-drenched showdown. The hero of the day was none other than Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, who returned from injury to lead his team to the monumental upset.
The odds were stacked against the Rebels from the start. Not only were they facing the defending national champions on the road, but the skies opened up, turning the field into a muddy quagmire. However, Dart and the Rebels were undeterred by the elements or their heavyweight opponent.
Dart’s Triumphant Return Sparks Ole Miss
Having missed time due to an undisclosed injury, Dart’s status for the Georgia game was uncertain. But the sophomore signal-caller showed no rust, completing 13 of 22 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown. His 10-yard strike to Antwane Wells Jr. in the third quarter extended the Rebels’ lead to 22-10 and effectively put the game out of reach.
“Jaxson’s a warrior,” said Ole Miss head coach Jim James after the game. “We didn’t know if he’d be able to go today, but he fought through the pain and led this team to a victory we’ll never forget.”
Coach Jim James
Defense Dominates, Davis Delivers
While Dart’s performance was impressive, it was the Ole Miss defense that truly won the day. They held the high-powered Georgia offense to a mere 245 total yards, recording five sacks, nine tackles for loss, and forcing four fumbles. Linebackers TJ Dottery and Chris Paul combined for a staggering 19 tackles.
The Rebels’ special teams also played a crucial role, as kicker Caden Davis connected on all five of his field goal attempts, including kicks from 43 and 53 yards out. His right leg kept Ole Miss in control throughout the soggy affair.
Rare Home Loss for Bulldogs
For Georgia, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow. The Bulldogs are now 1-2 against ranked opponents on the road this season, a surprising stat for a team that has dominated college football in recent years. Quarterback Carson Beck struggled in the inclement weather, completing 20 of 31 passes for a mere 186 yards and an interception.
“Give credit to Ole Miss, they played a heck of a game,” said Georgia head coach Amos Smith in his postgame press conference. “We didn’t execute the way we needed to in these conditions. It’s a tough loss, but we’ll learn from it and bounce back.”
Coach Amos Smith
Playoff Implications Abound
The ramifications of this upset will be felt across the college football landscape. Georgia, previously undefeated and ranked No. 2, will almost certainly tumble in the polls and the College Football Playoff rankings. Meanwhile, Ole Miss has thrust itself into the national conversation and could climb into the top 10 with this signature win.
As the regular season enters its final stretch, the Rebels have positioned themselves for a potential New Year’s Six bowl berth, or perhaps even an outside shot at the playoff if chaos continues to reign. Regardless of what lies ahead, one thing is certain: on a rain-soaked day in Oxford, Mississippi, Jaxson Dart and the Ole Miss Rebels proved they belong among college football’s elite.
