In a remarkable display of tenacity and skill, the No. 16 Mississippi Rebels stunned the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs with a resounding 28-10 victory on Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford. This defeat not only impacted Georgia’s season record but also marked a significant moment for Mississippi, who has now secured its third consecutive win and improved its standing within the tough SEC conference.
From the outset, Mississippi’s defense set the tone for the game. The Rebels imposed their will on the Georgia offense, showcasing a relentless pass rush that resulted in five sacks and nine tackles for loss. The defensive stalwarts, such as Jared Ivey and Princely Umanimielen, each contributed two sacks, while the linebacker duo of TJ Dottery and Chris Paul combined for an impressive 19 tackles. In a game where defensive prowess was on full display, Mississippi also managed to force four fumbles and intercepted a pass from Georgia quarterback Carson Beck, crippling the Bulldogs’ attempts to establish any rhythm.
On the offensive side, Mississippi demonstrated a well-rounded performance steered by quarterback Jaxson Dart, who completed 13 of his 22 passes for a respectable 199 yards, accompanied by a rushing effort of 50 yards. Dart’s highlight came in the third quarter when he connected with Antwane Wells Jr. for a critical 10-yard touchdown pass, extending Mississippi’s lead to 23-10 after they successfully navigated a challenging eight-play, 75-yard drive.
Ulysses Bentley also played a pivotal role in Mississippi’s offensive strategy, scoring a 9-yard touchdown run in the first quarter that not only tied the game but shifted momentum firmly in favor of the Rebels. A series of field goals by Caden Davis, including successful kicks from 23, 43, and 53 yards, further bolstered the Rebels’ score while showcasing a reliable kicking game.
Despite Georgia’s early offensive scoring, courtesy of a 2-yard touchdown run by Nate Frazier, they struggled to maintain pressure against the aggressive Mississippi defense. The Bulldogs managed only 245 total yards and were forced to play catch-up for the remainder of the game. Beck ended the day with 20 completions out of 31 attempts, accumulating 186 passing yards, but his performance fell short of expectations against a confounding Rebels defense.
As the clock wound down, the rain-soaked Ole Miss student section erupted in jubilation, storming the field just 16 seconds before the final whistle. This scene was repeated again when Dart took a knee, emphasizing the palpable excitement of not just a win, but a monumental upset against a top-tier ranked opponent. The celebration was a testament to the hard work and dedication that this Mississippi team displayed throughout the match.
This victory places Mississippi firmly in the spotlight as they continue to build momentum for the remainder of the season, while Georgia must regroup and rethink its strategies for the upcoming matches, adjusting to the unexpected challenges posed by their SEC counterparts.
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