Florida 24-17 Ole Miss (Nov 23, 2024) Game Recap

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — — DJ Lagway threw two touchdown passes, Montrell Johnson ran for 127 yards and a score, and Florida upset No. 9 Mississippi 24-17 on Saturday to knock the Rebels out of College Football Playoff contention.

The Gators (6-5, 4-4 Southeastern Conference), who topped LSU last week, beat ranked teams in consecutive weeks for the first time since 2008 to become bowl eligible. The late-season spurt provided another vote of confidence for coach Billy Napier, who is expected back for a fourth season.

Ole Miss (8-3, 4-3), which entered the day as a 10-point favorite, lost for the first time in four games and will surely fall out of the 12-team playoff picture. Ranked ninth in the most recent CFP, the Rebels only needed to avoid stumbling down the stretch against Florida and lowly Mississippi State to clinch a playoff berth.

But coach Lane Kiffin’s team failed to score in three drives inside the red zone and dropped countless passes in perfect weather.

Bryce Thornton intercepted passes to end Ole Miss’ final two drives, including one with 17 seconds left that sent nearly the entire Florida team into a raucous celebration in the end zone.

Jaxson Dart completed 24 of 41 passes for 323 yards, with two TDs and the two picks. He also scrambled 14 times for a team-high 71 yards.

The Rebels likely would have had a comfortable lead had it not been for repeated fouls inside the 20-yard line. Defensive tackle JJ Pegues, a 325-pound wrecking ball out of the backfield, was stopped on two fourth-down runs inside the 20-yard line and Caden Davis missed a 34-yard field goal in the second quarter.

Ole Miss also dropped a ton of passes, including at least three that likely would have been touchdowns. Jordan Watkins (twice), Wells (twice), Dae’Quan Wright and star receiver Tre Harris were among the dropouts.

Florida was much more efficient. Lagway completed 10 of 17 passes for 180 yards with one interception.

Injury problems for Ole Miss

Days after Kiffin raved about his team’s health, the Rebels had three starters go down with injuries.

Harris, returning after missing the last three games with a lower-body injury, was left with an apparent groin injury in the second quarter.

Safety Yam Banks was also carted off the field after injuring his left knee, and center Reece McIntyre left the game. Right tackle Micah Pettus was also injured on one play but was able to return.

“Senior Day” for Florida

Injured quarterback Graham Mertz got the loudest ovation during Florida’s senior day. Mertz’s college career ended when he tore the ACL in his left knee. during a 23-17 overtime loss at then-No. 8 Tennessee last month. Mertz had surgery and hopes to be healthy enough to at least throw for NFL teams before the draft in April.

The graduating class also includes running back Montrell Johnson, defensive tackle Desmond Watson and cornerback Jason Marshall, who are also out this season.

Takeaway

Mississippi: The Rebels needed better offensive balance. Ole Miss played without running back Henry Parrish Jr. (knee) for the second straight game and threw the ball 41 times. Dart also converted 14 more. It worked at times against Florida’s depleted secondary, but wasn’t a recipe for success.

Florida: The Gators now have a chance to close out the regular season with three straight wins, further proof that Napier has the team on the right track.

Next

Mississippi: The Rebels host Mississippi State in a rivalry known as the Egg Bowl on Friday.

Florida: The Gators play at rival Florida State next Saturday.

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