Despite a 26-14 victory over Oklahoma, the Ole Miss football team fell one spot to No. 19 in the latest AP Top 25 poll. Lane Kiffin’s squad had a mixed performance in this crucial matchup before another record-breaking crowd at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Down 14-10 at halftime, the Rebels were at risk of seeing their College Football Playoff hopes slip away. By halftime, Ole Miss (6-2, 2-2 SEC) had been outgained by an Oklahoma (4-4, 1-4 SEC) offense, where quarterback Jackson Arnold’s rushing skills were maximized under first-time play-caller Joe Jon Finley.
In the second half, Ole Miss turned the game around through strategic offensive adjustments and a standout performance by Pete Golding’s defense, which recorded 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss—seven of those sacks coming in the final two quarters. The Rebels shut out Oklahoma 16-0 in the second half, sealing the win as time expired.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart led the Ole Miss offense with 311 passing yards, 44 rushing yards, and one touchdown, all without key receiver Tre Harris. On defense, linebacker Suntarine Perkins had an outstanding game with 11 tackles (eight solo), four sacks, and five tackles for loss.
Looking ahead, Ole Miss will face Arkansas in Fayetteville next Saturday at 11 a.m., a must-win game to maintain their playoff aspirations before the release of the season’s first College Football Playoff rankings. The game will be broadcast on ESPN and SuperTalk Mississippi stations.
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