In a highly anticipated Big 10 and SEC matchup, Ole Miss and Penn State met in Atlanta, to face off in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This game marked the first time the two teams had met. Ole Miss came out on top, defeating Penn State 38-25 and securing the Rebels’ first 11-win season in program history, as well as the first New Year’s Six bowl game victory under head coach Lane Kiffin.
The Nittany Lions were without four starters—cornerbacks Jalen King and Johnny Dixon, Defensive End Chop Robinson, and All-American Left tackle Olu Fashna were listed as out on Penn State’s Roster, due to declaring for the NFL Draft. Ole Miss was without standout Linebacker Cedric Johnson, who declared for the NFL Draft earlier this month.
The Rebels brought one of the most talented offenses in the nation to the matchup, with every key player staying in Oxford next season. Penn State’s defense came in as one of the best in the nation. The Rebels managed to put a few more touchdowns on the board to pass Penn State early in the fourth quarter and put away a 38-25 win.
Offensive MVPs: Caden Prieskorn and Jaxson Dart
In this offensive heavy game for both teams, the Rebels were able to sneak ahead thanks to everyone lined up on offense, but particularly tight end Caden Prieskorn and quarterback Jaxson Dart. Prieskorn caught a career high 10 passes for 136 yards with two touchdown passes and a 2 point conversion to add to his unbelievable resume for the 2023 season.
After running back Quinshon Judkins secured a third touchdown for the Rebels early in the third quarter, Head Coach Lane Kiffin chose to go for 2 points. Prieskorn was wide open in the end zone to complete the 2 point conversion to put the Rebels ahead 31-17. Prieskorn plans to return to Ole Miss for one more season with the Rebels.
Dart, on the other hand, once again showcased his ability to throw, score, run, and even catch consistently against a talented and strong Penn State defense. Dart threw for 379 passing yards, passed for three touchdowns and rushed for another.Continuing to be a leader on and off the field, Dart seems to be returning to finish his senior season back in Vaught Hemingway Stadium wearing Ole Miss red and blue.
Defensive MVP: Jared Ivey
Senior Defensive End Jared Ivey was a key to the Ole Miss defense in the final game of the season. Ivey paved the way for the landshark defense and ended the game with five tackles, two tackles for loss, and two QB Hurries. Ivey plans to return to Ole Miss for one season, keen on leading the defense and helping fight for a spot in the playoff.
Shining moment: Jaxson Dart’s game securing touchdown
Despite staying ahead of the Nittany Lions throughout the duration of the game, Ole Miss needed one last effort to help secure a win, and Dart answered. While already having an impressive game for the Rebels, Dart rushed in a touchdown late in the third to set the score 38-17, a touchdown that gave Rebel fans a sigh of relief as Ole Miss was comfortably ahead of Penn State and set the pace for this Ole Miss team the rest of the game.
Something to look forward to: Ole Miss being a potential playoff contender
After today’s impressive win against the underdogs, Kiffin securing some of the most talented players in the portal, and the news of offensive and defensive standouts choosing to return for another season the Rebels are looking to make a huge statement next year with this 2024 team underway.
Now that the playoff is expanding to 12 teams, this gives the opportunity for teams like Ole Miss a fighting chance to play for it all in the postseason. In spite of the changing SEC and the additions of Texas and Oklahoma, Ole Miss has the opportunity to make a statement and prove worthy of a shot in the playoffs next season.
The Rebels ended on a high note in the last season before the revamped SEC and plan to enter 2024 and aim even higher.
