The University of Mississippi Athletics
Peach Bowl Champs: Prieskorn Earns Offensive MVP in Record Outing
12/31/2023 | Football
ATLANTA – When Caden Prieskorn's name was announced as the Offensive MVP for the 2023 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, his fellow Ole Miss Rebels erupted in cheers for one of their most respected teammates.
Prieskorn went through one of the most difficult seasons personally an athlete could ever go through. But the star tight end persevered, and capped his season with an MVP performance to lead the Rebels to a 38-25 victory in the 2023 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
Prieskorn transferred to Ole Miss from Memphis in the offseason, and he looked destined to be the dominant offensive weapon he was Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. But an injury in fall camp slowed his transition into the offense. Just when he was getting back to form, an even more significant tragedy struck when his father passed away in October.
Even through the most difficult time of his life, Prieskorn persevered and carried out his commitment to his teammates, as his father would have wanted. It was the ultimate show of dedication and determination, no doubt one of the many reasons why he is one of the most respected players on the Ole Miss roster.
"I'm definitely an older guy that's played a lot of college football, so I feel like my teammates trust me, trust what I say and what I do," Prieskorn said. "I felt like today it showed just on the field and helping guys getting set and stuff like that. I'm just thankful that they believe in me as well."
If they didn't believe before, they certainly do after Prieskorn's heroics in Atlanta. He set an Ole Miss bowl record with 10 receptions, and his 136 yards were the second-most in the program's bowl history behind Malik Heath's 137 (2022 Texas).
"I've got to thank my coaches, Coach Weiss and Coach Kiffin, for trusting me," Prieskorn said. "And just the whole O-line, just blocking. I've just got to thank my teammates for just trusting me."
Ole Miss trusted Prieskorn throughout the contest, and he continued to deliver against college football's best defense with spectacular one-handed grabs and phenomenal runs after the catch. The Rebels also trusted him in one of the game's key moments: a two-point conversion late in the third quarter to make it an even two-touchdown lead.
Adding the conversion to his two touchdowns, Prieskorn finished the game with 14 points scored, good for third in Ole Miss bowl history behind three-TD games by Laquon Treadwell (2016 Sugar) and Deuce McAllister (1998 Independence).
Prieskorn is one of a handful of Rebels who, before the Peach Bowl, announced their intentions to return for 2024. Those announcements already had the Ole Miss staff excited for next season, then they saw yet another preview of what Prieskorn and Co. will do in 2024.
"I think it's really a cool time right now at Ole Miss," Kiffin said. "To win the most games in the history of the school and to have so many pieces already announcing that they're coming back, which I made sure a couple of them are still doing that after their performances today."
2024 Season Tickets
Don't miss one of college football's top attractions next season. Ole Miss football 2024 season tickets are on sale and available for renewal now at OleMissTix.com.
Prieskorn went through one of the most difficult seasons personally an athlete could ever go through. But the star tight end persevered, and capped his season with an MVP performance to lead the Rebels to a 38-25 victory in the 2023 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
Prieskorn transferred to Ole Miss from Memphis in the offseason, and he looked destined to be the dominant offensive weapon he was Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. But an injury in fall camp slowed his transition into the offense. Just when he was getting back to form, an even more significant tragedy struck when his father passed away in October.
Even through the most difficult time of his life, Prieskorn persevered and carried out his commitment to his teammates, as his father would have wanted. It was the ultimate show of dedication and determination, no doubt one of the many reasons why he is one of the most respected players on the Ole Miss roster.
"I'm definitely an older guy that's played a lot of college football, so I feel like my teammates trust me, trust what I say and what I do," Prieskorn said. "I felt like today it showed just on the field and helping guys getting set and stuff like that. I'm just thankful that they believe in me as well."
If they didn't believe before, they certainly do after Prieskorn's heroics in Atlanta. He set an Ole Miss bowl record with 10 receptions, and his 136 yards were the second-most in the program's bowl history behind Malik Heath's 137 (2022 Texas).
"I've got to thank my coaches, Coach Weiss and Coach Kiffin, for trusting me," Prieskorn said. "And just the whole O-line, just blocking. I've just got to thank my teammates for just trusting me."
Most receptions in Ole Miss Bowl Game HISTORY 🏆@cpkorn12 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/sfuyfgucVE
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) December 31, 2023
Offensive MVP 🍑🏆@cpkorn12 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/94Ild7TBof
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) December 30, 2023
Ole Miss trusted Prieskorn throughout the contest, and he continued to deliver against college football's best defense with spectacular one-handed grabs and phenomenal runs after the catch. The Rebels also trusted him in one of the game's key moments: a two-point conversion late in the third quarter to make it an even two-touchdown lead.
Adding the conversion to his two touchdowns, Prieskorn finished the game with 14 points scored, good for third in Ole Miss bowl history behind three-TD games by Laquon Treadwell (2016 Sugar) and Deuce McAllister (1998 Independence).
OH MY CADEN PREISKORN 😳@cpkorn12 | #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/ZB72swPLk1
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) December 30, 2023
Have a day @cpkorn12! Second TD for the Rebel TE. 😳
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) December 30, 2023
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/SEhYWn5AYL
There goes that man.@cpkorn12 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/xVDzzzTC7v
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) December 30, 2023
Easy six 😮💨@JaxsonDart ➡️ @cpkorn12
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) December 30, 2023
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/muFuh1TQux
Prieskorn is one of a handful of Rebels who, before the Peach Bowl, announced their intentions to return for 2024. Those announcements already had the Ole Miss staff excited for next season, then they saw yet another preview of what Prieskorn and Co. will do in 2024.
"I think it's really a cool time right now at Ole Miss," Kiffin said. "To win the most games in the history of the school and to have so many pieces already announcing that they're coming back, which I made sure a couple of them are still doing that after their performances today."
2024 Season Tickets
Don't miss one of college football's top attractions next season. Ole Miss football 2024 season tickets are on sale and available for renewal now at OleMissTix.com.
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