JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jaxson Dart’s final college appearance was one to remember, highlighted by a 69-yard touchdown pass that, despite its glory, landed him in trouble with his coach, Lane Kiffin, on the sidelines.
In his last start for Ole Miss, Dart put on an impressive display, throwing for 404 yards and four touchdowns, propelling the 16th-ranked Rebels to a commanding 52-20 victory over Duke in the Gator Bowl.
Dart showcased his connection with Jordan Watkins, completing seven passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns, including the longest completion of the game just before it concluded. However, Kiffin wasn’t pleased with Dart’s decision-making on that final play.
“I have a lot of love for him except for that last play when he checked to a pass play he wasn’t supposed to do,” Kiffin remarked. “He needs to work on his decision-making.”
The senior quarterback also contributed 43 rushing yards, leaving EverBank Stadium with his red and white uniform marked with grass and dirt.
Dart had no intention of opting out of the bowl game, and his performance helped Ole Miss achieve a significant milestone. With this win, the Rebels secured consecutive seasons with double-digit victories for only the second time in the program’s history, the first since 1959-60.
“This place changed my life,” Dart reflected. “Choosing to come here was the best decision I’ve ever made. The relationships I’ve built will last a lifetime.”
Another senior, Ulysses Bentley IV, also shined in his final game, rushing for 70 yards and scoring twice. Isaiah Hamilton’s interception return for a 50-yard touchdown early in the third quarter added to the celebration, with players performing dunks on a portable hoop emblazoned with Duke logos.
The matchup between the ACC and SEC was anticipated to lean heavily in favor of Ole Miss, a prediction that held true as they were a 17.5-point favorite. The Blue Devils (9-4) were missing key players, including quarterback Maalik Murphy and running back Star Thomas, both of whom entered the transfer portal after Duke’s final regular-season game.
Third-year sophomore Henry Belin IV faced considerable pressure throughout the game, completing 25 of 44 attempts for 236 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception while being sacked three times. His touchdown passes were among the few bright spots in a tough outing. Another highlight for Duke was Sahmir Hagans’ impressive 99-yard kickoff return utilizing a cross-field lateral.
Ole Miss did experience a rare slip-up when Kiffin called for a trick play on fourth down that resulted in kicker Caden Davis’ intercepted pass in the end zone. From that moment onward, Dart took almost all the snaps for the Rebels.
“What stood out today was the exceptional performance of a special quarterback,” Duke coach Manny Diaz noted after the game.
In terms of perspective, the Blue Devils aren’t overly concerned about the loss, especially considering Belin’s rare start and the incoming offensive reinforcements on the horizon.
As for Ole Miss, most of their starters participated in the bowl game, indicating their commitment to Dart and Kiffin. However, some key players, like cornerback Jadon Canady and right tackle Micah Pettus, have entered the transfer portal, while linebacker and top tackler Chris Paul Jr. opted out to focus on the upcoming draft.
Duke faced injury challenges, with cornerback Terry Moore exiting the game during the first half, while Ole Miss offensive lineman Eli Acker sustained a right knee injury during an extra point attempt in the second quarter.
The field conditions at EverBank Stadium were less than ideal, resembling a worn-out sandlot rather than the pristine turf typical of professional venues. The field suffered significant wear after the Jaguars hosted a game just days before, leaving little time to recover the grass, exacerbated by overnight temperatures dipping into the 40s.
Looking forward, Duke is set to welcome former Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah, who is reportedly garnering $8 million in NIL funding over a two-year span to join the Blue Devils.
Meanwhile, Ole Miss will turn its attention to highly-regarded left-handed quarterback Austin Simmons, a redshirt freshman from Miami who enrolled early and has been absorbing knowledge from Dart over the past two seasons.
In his last start for Ole Miss, Dart put on an impressive display, throwing for 404 yards and four touchdowns, propelling the 16th-ranked Rebels to a commanding 52-20 victory over Duke in the Gator Bowl.
Dart showcased his connection with Jordan Watkins, completing seven passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns, including the longest completion of the game just before it concluded. However, Kiffin wasn’t pleased with Dart’s decision-making on that final play.
“I have a lot of love for him except for that last play when he checked to a pass play he wasn’t supposed to do,” Kiffin remarked. “He needs to work on his decision-making.”
The senior quarterback also contributed 43 rushing yards, leaving EverBank Stadium with his red and white uniform marked with grass and dirt.
Dart had no intention of opting out of the bowl game, and his performance helped Ole Miss achieve a significant milestone. With this win, the Rebels secured consecutive seasons with double-digit victories for only the second time in the program’s history, the first since 1959-60.
“This place changed my life,” Dart reflected. “Choosing to come here was the best decision I’ve ever made. The relationships I’ve built will last a lifetime.”
Another senior, Ulysses Bentley IV, also shined in his final game, rushing for 70 yards and scoring twice. Isaiah Hamilton’s interception return for a 50-yard touchdown early in the third quarter added to the celebration, with players performing dunks on a portable hoop emblazoned with Duke logos.
The matchup between the ACC and SEC was anticipated to lean heavily in favor of Ole Miss, a prediction that held true as they were a 17.5-point favorite. The Blue Devils (9-4) were missing key players, including quarterback Maalik Murphy and running back Star Thomas, both of whom entered the transfer portal after Duke’s final regular-season game.
Third-year sophomore Henry Belin IV faced considerable pressure throughout the game, completing 25 of 44 attempts for 236 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception while being sacked three times. His touchdown passes were among the few bright spots in a tough outing. Another highlight for Duke was Sahmir Hagans’ impressive 99-yard kickoff return utilizing a cross-field lateral.
Ole Miss did experience a rare slip-up when Kiffin called for a trick play on fourth down that resulted in kicker Caden Davis’ intercepted pass in the end zone. From that moment onward, Dart took almost all the snaps for the Rebels.
“What stood out today was the exceptional performance of a special quarterback,” Duke coach Manny Diaz noted after the game.
In terms of perspective, the Blue Devils aren’t overly concerned about the loss, especially considering Belin’s rare start and the incoming offensive reinforcements on the horizon.
As for Ole Miss, most of their starters participated in the bowl game, indicating their commitment to Dart and Kiffin. However, some key players, like cornerback Jadon Canady and right tackle Micah Pettus, have entered the transfer portal, while linebacker and top tackler Chris Paul Jr. opted out to focus on the upcoming draft.
Duke faced injury challenges, with cornerback Terry Moore exiting the game during the first half, while Ole Miss offensive lineman Eli Acker sustained a right knee injury during an extra point attempt in the second quarter.
The field conditions at EverBank Stadium were less than ideal, resembling a worn-out sandlot rather than the pristine turf typical of professional venues. The field suffered significant wear after the Jaguars hosted a game just days before, leaving little time to recover the grass, exacerbated by overnight temperatures dipping into the 40s.
Looking forward, Duke is set to welcome former Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah, who is reportedly garnering $8 million in NIL funding over a two-year span to join the Blue Devils.
Meanwhile, Ole Miss will turn its attention to highly-regarded left-handed quarterback Austin Simmons, a redshirt freshman from Miami who enrolled early and has been absorbing knowledge from Dart over the past two seasons.
