The Ole Miss Rebels were looking for a rebound after their disappointing loss against Kentucky, and they did just that as they beat the South Carolina Gamecocks 27-3 on Oct. 5 in Columbia, S.C.
Despite throwing no touchdowns, Jaxson Dart had a good game, going 14-27 for 285 yards. Juice Wells, a former Gamecock, had three catches for 97 yards. TJ Dottery had 13 tackles, one sack and a pass deflection.
First half
The Ole Miss offense started with a three and out. The passing game looked out of sync and the injuries to the Rebels offensive line appeared as if they might have an impact throughout the game. This was the first time the Rebels did not score on their first drive this season.
Luckily, the Rebels defense looked much improved and forced the Gamecocks to go for it on fourth down, stopping them in their tracks. Dart connected with Caden Lee for a 20-yard pass to give Ole Miss some momentum. This was then led by a 10-yard scamper by Henry Parrish Jr. into the end zone for the Rebels’ first points of the game.
The Rebels’ run defense looked in full form as they stopped running back Rocket Sanders in his tracks. They then recovered a fumble on a Robby Ashford drop, keeping the momentum in their corner. Dart sliced up the Gamecocks’ secondary, as each pass he threw was a chunk play. J.J. Pegues rumbled into the end zone to put the Rebels up by two possessions.
The Ole Miss defense then forced another three and out — this time with South Carolina punting the ball. The Rebels’ offense stalled as they were forced to punt the ball away.
The Gamecocks started to show signs of life, ending the first quarter in Ole Miss territory. To begin the second quarter, Ole Miss forced the Gamecocks to go for it on fourth down, where Walter Nolen sacked quarterback LaNorris Sellers to force a turnover on downs.
On fourth down, Lane Kiffin got a little too aggressive, as Ole Miss got back to the line of scrimmage, turning the ball over. Sellers made the Rebels regret going for it as he ran for 30 yards. Pegues got him back, instantly sacking Sellers. Yam Banks forced an incompletion in the end zone, with South Carolina making a field goal to put their first points on the board.
Parrish finally got moving, as he broke down the Gamecocks’ defensive line, and Tre Harris had a 56-yard reception to set up a field goal by Caden Davis that put the Rebels back up at 14.
Dart led the Rebels down the field as Pegues ran into the end zone for the second time, taking the lead up to 21 points. Ole Miss looked hot heading into halftime.
Second half
The Rebels started the second half on defense, and the Gamecocks’ run offense looked as if they might finally start going. South Carolina’s air attack appeared as if they were starting to put it together. Dottery was flying around the field, forcing Sellers to take a loss that resulted in a field goal attempt from South Carolina, which was missed.
Wells had a big gain on a play, but he fumbled the ball into the end zone, causing a turnover. Nolen started wreaking havoc on the defensive line. The Rebels forced the Gamecocks to punt the ball away after a Suntarine Perkins sack.
Dart led the offense down the field and stalled out, but Caden Davis made a 44-yard field goal to extend the lead.
To begin the fourth quarter, Sellers converted a fourth down to keep their hopes alive. Dottery got his hands on the ball to tip it up in the air, but no defender was able to pick it off. Trey Amos intercepted the ball in the end zone to stop the Gamecocks in their tracks.
With eight minutes left in the game, the Rebels looked to just kill time as Parrish broke free for a 19-yard run. The Rebels ended up killing the clock, winning the game 27-3.
Interesting fact of the game
This was the first time the Rebels have played Columbia, S.C., in 15 years.
What’s next?
Ole Miss goes into Death Valley on Oct. 12 to face LSU. The game, scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m., will be shown on ABC.
