The Rebels continued to dominate in week three of the 2024 season with a 40-6 victory over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Saturday, Sept. 14.
The Rebels’ defense had another phenomenal performance, not allowing a single touchdown for the third week in a row. TJ Dottery, sophomore linebacker from Montgomery, Ala., led the Rebels’ defense with eight tackles.
Jaxson Dart threw for an impressive 377 yards for two touchdowns and one interception with a rushing touchdown to boot.
The running game has not slowed down
Ole Miss ended the game with a combined 256 rushing yards, as running back Henry Parrish Jr. led the Rebels’ ground game with 23 carries for 148 yards and two touchdowns.
In just three weeks with the Rebels, Parrish has 44 carries, 334 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
While running back Ulysses Bentley IV was not present for last weekend’s game, Parrish has made it clear he can fill the big shoes left behind by former Rebel running back Quinshon Judkins.
Running back Matt Jones has also made a statement for the Rebels, putting up eight carries for 65 yards last weekend.
The defense is only getting better
In three games for Ole Miss, the Rebels defense has allowed only nine points, made up of three field goals. For the first time since 1961, the Rebels have allowed zero touchdowns thus far in the season.
Defensive Lineman Jared Ivey was named SEC Co-Defensive Line Player of the Week this week. JJ Pegues led the defense against Wake Forest, earning two of the four sacks recorded, one QB hurry and six tackles.
Dottery, a linebacker, is another weapon included in the talented Ole Miss defense. Dottery has 15 tackles this season with eight of those coming from the Wake Forest win.
With a strong defense in their first three weeks, the Rebels look looks to carry the momentum into one last non-conference game before SEC play begins on Saturday, Sept. 28.
A win is a win, but it was not the prettiest win
While the Rebels put up 600 yards of offense on the Demon Deacons last weekend, they committed a handful of mistakes that kept Ole Miss from a flawless performance.
The Rebels accounted for 11 penalties and two turnovers in 114 yards of offense.
“I feel like that was the ugliest 600-yard game you could play,” Dart said in a post-game press conference on Saturday, Sept. 14. “We did a lot of really good things and then just didn’t finish … you saw how explosive we are, but at the same time we hurt ourselves.”
Dart put up 337 passing yards and two touchdowns but also gave up his first interception of the season.
“You know, a good road win 40-6 (against an) ACC opponent (is) a good outcome. Now there’s some stuff in there that was a little bit sloppy,” Head Coach Lane Kiffin said in a post-game conference Saturday night.
What’s next
Ole Miss will head into the final week of non-conference play against Georgia Southern Saturday, Sept. 21 at 6:45 p.m. at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Game coverage will be streamed on ESPN.
