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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Sunday Notebook: Wade’s Career Day Highlights Win in NOLA
9/10/2023 | Football
Rebels Improve to 2-0 with Win at No. 22 Tulane
OXFORD, Miss. – No. 20 Ole Miss faced its toughest test of the young 2023 college football season on Saturday afternoon at No. 22 Tulane. The Rebels fell behind in the early going but outscored the Green Wave 27-3 to close out a 37-20 victory.
The Rebels improved to 2-0 on the season and 11-2 in non-conference games under head coach Lane Kiffin. They've now won 13 straight against the Green Wave, a streak that dates back to 1989. Keep reading for more on Saturday's win and a look ahead at next week's tilt with Georgia Tech.
CATCH MADE BY WADE
No Rebel had a bigger day at Yulman Stadium than receiver Dayton Wade. The senior led Ole Miss with a career-high 106 yards on seven receptions, including a jaw-dropping new career-long reception of 43 yards.
The highlight-reel, one-handed grab set up the game-winning touchdown and, outside of that deciding score, was arguably the biggest play of the day for the Rebel offense.
With Wade's spectacular catch being the second-biggest highlight of the game, there was no doubt of the first. Just a few moments after find Wade, facing 4th-and-4, Rebel quarterback Jaxson Dart danced away from a sack and delivered a strike to Michael Trigg for the score that ultimately spelled the difference.
NEVER A DOUBT
The announcers were astonished when Caden Davis trotted out to midfield with just two minutes left on the clock in a seven-point game. A make from the Rebel kicker would all-but clinch a victory—but a miss from 56 yards away would give the home team a short distance to drive for the game-tying score.
While the move from head coach Lane Kiffin appeared to be questionable from the outside, those who have seen Davis kick in practice weren't worried. As it turned out, the Rebel specialist delivered, connecting on the fourth-longest field goal in program history and the longest since 1988, and likely turning some doubters into believers in the process.
"I honestly had no doubt in my mind—I knew he was going to hit it," Dart said. "I feel like it's a big confidence builder for him moving forward, and I really look forward to him succeeding this season."
SHARKS IN THE WATER
While offense and special teams did their part in the comeback, the defense certainly did as well, allowing just three points in the second half to set the stage.
Numerous Rebels came through with critical plays down the stretch, but none had a bigger day than Isaac Ukwu. The James Madison transfer was relentlessly after the Tulane quarterback, tallying six tackles, two TFLs, one sack and two QB hurries in just his second game in an Ole Miss uniform.
Ukwu, who now has 17.5 sacks over his collegiate career, spoke postgame about the mindset of the defense and how this comeback victory can contribute to their growth as a group.
"When you think of Ole Miss, you think of offense. So we really took it upon ourselves as a D-line especially to come out here and make a mark and make a bunch of plays when we needed them the most," Ukwu said. "I think the defense showed that we were able to handle adversity—take some shots then anchor down. I really think this game brought us closer together as a defensive unit."
UP NEXT: OLE MISS VS. GEORGIA TECH
After the signature road win in New Orleans, Ole Miss heads back home to take on its first Power 5 competition of the season against Georgia Tech.
The Rebels blanked the Yellow Jackets 42-0 in Atlanta last season. Georgia Tech is 1-1 on the year, coming off a 48-13 win last weekend against South Carolina State.
Limited ticket options remain at OleMissTix.com. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT under the lights at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium and will be televised on SEC Network.
The Rebels improved to 2-0 on the season and 11-2 in non-conference games under head coach Lane Kiffin. They've now won 13 straight against the Green Wave, a streak that dates back to 1989. Keep reading for more on Saturday's win and a look ahead at next week's tilt with Georgia Tech.
CATCH MADE BY WADE
No Rebel had a bigger day at Yulman Stadium than receiver Dayton Wade. The senior led Ole Miss with a career-high 106 yards on seven receptions, including a jaw-dropping new career-long reception of 43 yards.
The highlight-reel, one-handed grab set up the game-winning touchdown and, outside of that deciding score, was arguably the biggest play of the day for the Rebel offense.
DAYTON WADE. 🤌@__vierr pic.twitter.com/n9fXN1C7OI
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 9, 2023
With Wade's spectacular catch being the second-biggest highlight of the game, there was no doubt of the first. Just a few moments after find Wade, facing 4th-and-4, Rebel quarterback Jaxson Dart danced away from a sack and delivered a strike to Michael Trigg for the score that ultimately spelled the difference.
That's how you let the beat build@JaxsonDart ➡️ @mtrigg_ pic.twitter.com/9dUtWzUng6
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 9, 2023
NEVER A DOUBT
The announcers were astonished when Caden Davis trotted out to midfield with just two minutes left on the clock in a seven-point game. A make from the Rebel kicker would all-but clinch a victory—but a miss from 56 yards away would give the home team a short distance to drive for the game-tying score.
While the move from head coach Lane Kiffin appeared to be questionable from the outside, those who have seen Davis kick in practice weren't worried. As it turned out, the Rebel specialist delivered, connecting on the fourth-longest field goal in program history and the longest since 1988, and likely turning some doubters into believers in the process.
"I honestly had no doubt in my mind—I knew he was going to hit it," Dart said. "I feel like it's a big confidence builder for him moving forward, and I really look forward to him succeeding this season."
FROM FIFTY SIX TO CLINCH IT
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 9, 2023
💣 @_cadendavis pic.twitter.com/ouqm3ulzux
SHARKS IN THE WATER
While offense and special teams did their part in the comeback, the defense certainly did as well, allowing just three points in the second half to set the stage.
Numerous Rebels came through with critical plays down the stretch, but none had a bigger day than Isaac Ukwu. The James Madison transfer was relentlessly after the Tulane quarterback, tallying six tackles, two TFLs, one sack and two QB hurries in just his second game in an Ole Miss uniform.
Ukwu, who now has 17.5 sacks over his collegiate career, spoke postgame about the mindset of the defense and how this comeback victory can contribute to their growth as a group.
"When you think of Ole Miss, you think of offense. So we really took it upon ourselves as a D-line especially to come out here and make a mark and make a bunch of plays when we needed them the most," Ukwu said. "I think the defense showed that we were able to handle adversity—take some shots then anchor down. I really think this game brought us closer together as a defensive unit."
UP NEXT: OLE MISS VS. GEORGIA TECH
After the signature road win in New Orleans, Ole Miss heads back home to take on its first Power 5 competition of the season against Georgia Tech.
The Rebels blanked the Yellow Jackets 42-0 in Atlanta last season. Georgia Tech is 1-1 on the year, coming off a 48-13 win last weekend against South Carolina State.
Limited ticket options remain at OleMissTix.com. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT under the lights at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium and will be televised on SEC Network.
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