GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In a thrilling contest, DJ Lagway tossed two touchdown passes, while Montrell Johnson rushed for 127 yards and a touchdown, leading Florida to a stunning 24-17 victory over No. 9 Mississippi on Saturday. This win effectively eliminated the Rebels from contention for the College Football Playoff.
The Gators, now 6-5 with a 4-4 record in the Southeastern Conference, celebrated their second consecutive victory over a ranked opponent this season—something they hadn’t achieved since 2008. With this win, Florida secured eligibility for postseason play and provided further endorsement for head coach Billy Napier, who is likely to return for a fourth season.
On the other hand, the Rebels’ record now stands at 8-3 and 4-3 in conference play. Despite entering the game as ten-point favorites, Ole Miss suffered its first defeat in four outings, effectively ending its hopes for a spot in the 12-team playoff. The Rebels were ranked ninth in the latest CFP rankings and had minimal requirements to qualify, needing only to avoid losses to both Florida and Mississippi State in the final weeks of the season.
However, coach Lane Kiffin’s squad struggled offensively, failing to score on three occasions within the red zone. The team also had an alarming number of dropped passes, despite enjoying favorable weather conditions. Florida’s Bryce Thornton made key interceptions to halt Ole Miss’ last two drives, culminating in a lively celebration for the Gators after the final play, which ended with just 17 seconds on the clock.
Quarterback Jaxon Dart threw for 323 yards on 24-of-41 passing, contributing two touchdowns along with two interceptions. He also led the team in rushing with 71 yards on 14 carries. The Rebels had numerous chances to establish a lead but were thwarted by repeated failures to capitalize in the red zone. Defensive tackle J.J. Pegues was stopped on two crucial fourth-and-short runs, and kicker Caden Davis missed a critical 34-yard field goal attempt during the second quarter.
Florida, known for its efficiency, advanced its game with Lagway completing 10 of 17 passes for 180 yards, albeit with one interception.
In the injury department, issues plagued the Rebels, who had three starters leave the game due to injuries. Star receiver Tre Harris, making a comeback after a three-game absence, sustained a potential groin injury in the second quarter. Alongside him, safety Yam Banks was carted off with a left knee injury, and center Reece McIntyre also exited the game. Right tackle Micah Pettus was briefly injured but managed to return to the field.
It was “Senior Day” in Florida, and injured quarterback Graham Mertz received a warm ovation from the crowd. Mertz’s collegiate journey hit a halt when he tore his left ACL during a close overtime loss to then-No. 8 Tennessee last month, leading to surgery. He aims to achieve enough recovery to throw for NFL scouts before the upcoming draft in April. Florida’s graduating class also includes notable players such as running back Montrell Johnson, defensive tackle Desmond Watson, and cornerback Jason Marshall, who all faced similar fates due to injuries.
The lesson learned from this matchup indicates that the Rebels need to diversify their offensive strategy. Playing without running back Henry Parrish Jr. for the second game in a row, Ole Miss relied heavily on the passing game, hurling 41 passes while Dart added another 14 on the ground. This approach yielded some results against a battered Florida secondary but proved insufficient overall.
On the flip side, Florida stands on the brink of closing its regular season with three consecutive victories, further highlighting coach Napier’s positive impact on the team’s trajectory.
Looking ahead, Mississippi will host their rival Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl on Friday, while Florida will face off against their fierce rival Florida State next Saturday.