Eric Boggs 
Ole Miss handed Georgia their second loss of the season.
No. 16 Ole Miss made a statement on Saturday night with a dominant 28-10 win over No. 3 Georgia, marking the Rebels’ first home victory over a top-two AP-ranked opponent and keeping their College Football Playoff hopes alive. Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart showed resilience, returning from an early-game ankle injury to lead his team with 199 passing yards and a touchdown. The Rebels’ defense also delivered a standout performance, consistently pressuring Georgia quarterback Carson Beck and limiting the Bulldogs to just 59 rushing yards.
Georgia’s offense started strong with an early interception, which led to a quick touchdown for a 7-0 lead. But this would be the Bulldogs’ only touchdown of the game. Ole Miss responded with a balanced offensive attack, with freshman quarterback Austin Simmons initially stepping in for Dart and leading a scoring drive before Dart returned to play the rest of the game. Dart’s critical 28-yard run in the fourth quarter set up a final field goal, effectively ending Georgia’s comeback hopes.
The Rebels’ defensive adjustments this season, led by offseason additions like Princely Umanmielen and Walter Nolen, were crucial. The defense accumulated five sacks, neutralizing Georgia’s passing game and stifling its rushing attack — a stark contrast to last year’s matchup, where Georgia dominated with over 600 yards of offense and 300 yards on the ground.
Carson Beck, who came into the season with high expectations, faced relentless pressure from Ole Miss and struggled to find open targets. While Beck managed to avoid major errors, his receivers dropped several critical passes, and the Bulldogs’ ground game faltered, leaving them without the offensive firepower they’ve shown in past seasons. Georgia also struggled with turnovers, as Beck’s fourth-quarter interception at Ole Miss’s 27-yard line halted any remaining momentum.
The victory highlighted Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin’s successful game plan, which outmatched Georgia’s usual tactical edge under head coach Kirby Smart. This win not only showcased the growth of Ole Miss under Kiffin but also raised questions about Georgia’s playoff viability, as they face a pivotal game against No. 7 Tennessee next week.
Georgia remains in the College Football Playoff discussion but must address major offensive issues to make a serious push. Meanwhile, Ole Miss continues its quest for a playoff spot with renewed confidence following this landmark win.
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