.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
Fresh off the Field: Facing Adversity
9/29/2024 | Football
Presented by Kroger
The game started like the previous four with the Rebels cruising to an opening-drive touchdown, but the Kentucky defense—which held Georgia to 13 points in a defeat earlier this season—kept Lane Kiffin's crew from establishing its tempo the rest of the way. In a narrow game throughout, Ole Miss had its chances to claim the victory but let them slip away.
Beyond disappointing day," Kiffin said. "We started fast, then we played really sloppy and really bad in the second quarter. We started playing better on both sides in the third quarter and the game came down at the end with us having a chance to win it in every phase. All three phases had a chance to win the game or at least tie the game and didn't do it. We didn't make the plays and we didn't close them out. We had the ball up by a score and had the chance to not make it come down to a play.
Can't Blink
While a loss in the SEC opener certainly wasn't in Ole Miss' plans, everything is still out in front of the Rebels, and all goals are still on the table. Particularly with the expanded 12-team playoff, and the increased depth of competition in the SEC, there will still be plenty of opportunities for Ole Miss to play its way into the CFP.
However, the margin for error has shrunk. Jaxson Dart and the Rebels will have to regroup quickly with road trips to South Carolina and LSU coming the next two weeks.
You can't blink. We have a lot more opportunities. One game is not going to define the year, but at the same time you better make the most of the rest of your opportunities," Dart said. "You can look at it two ways: you can just quit or you can take it on the chin and we're on the ground right now, you either stay down or get up.
Missed Opportunities
The Ole Miss defense put forth a strong effort with 10 tackles for loss and five sacks, holding the Wildcats under 100 yards rushing and just 2.0 yards per carry, but the little things ultimately lead to the loss.
Ole Miss was penalized eight times on the day, all in the first half, including two critical third-down penalties that led to UK's first touchdown drive. The Wildcats were also 3-for-3 on fourth downs, including a stunning 4th-and-7 conversion that led to the game-winning touchdown. Even that final TD was a microcosm of the game's missed opportunities: Trey Washington punched the ball loose at the goal line, but it was Kentucky that pounced on it for the go-ahead score.
They did a good job at making their plays today. As a DB we had to do a better job of getting off the field on third-down and fourth-down. They executed well and made plays when they had to," Washington said. "We know what we are made of and we are not just going to 'coward out' or quit. We are ready to get back to work next week and prove.
First Things First
Unlike the first four games, the Ole Miss offense leaves Week 5 with plenty of points for improvement. The Rebels knew this would be their toughest challenge yet, and they'll look to learn as much as they can from the loss this week.
The first lesson: be better on first down. Ole Miss faced 2nd-and-3 en route to its first touchdown. Its next three drives were all punts as it faced 2nd-and-8, 2nd-and-20 and 2nd-and-8 again. Against elite, SEC defenses, that formula must change.
They were an elite defense going into the game and we knew that," Dart said. "They did an amazing job on first downs and the first half, especially after the first drive, we were not able to get first downs to get into tempo. We knew that once we were able to get the ball moving, that's when we would have our advantage. When you get stuck in second-and-long and then have to scheme something up like that and we don't do a good job the first time, it really puts you behind.
Stay Connected
Stay up to date with all the latest Ole Miss football news and content! Subscribe to The Sip, the official newsletter of Rebel football, and we'll drop the best Ole Miss football stories, videos and social media content to your inbox each week.
Update today to the all-new version of the Ole Miss Sports app, presented by Renasant Bank! The new app will serve as a dynamic hub for Rebel gameday content, including ticketing, parking, schedules, shopping for official Ole Miss merchandise and much more. Click here for more info or to download.
