Ole Miss impresses in 42-0 blowout win over Georgia Tech
ATLANTA — Ole Miss displayed its best performance of the year so far in Saturday’s 42-0, week-three win over Georgia Tech, as the Rebels cruise to 3-0 on the season.
Ole Miss dominated all facets of the game, putting up a whopping 547 total yards of offense with 316 of those coming from the run game alone. The Rebs finished the game with six rushing touchdowns on the day as Georgia Tech had no answer for Ole Miss’ run game.
“Any time you go on the road and play an ACC team and win 42-0, a lot of good things had to happen. We challenged the guys after playing really well last week to come on the road and play well. ‘Pack your run game and pack your defense’ was what we said all week to do and they did that. The defense, a shutout on the road, first time in 8 or 9 years or something like that. With playing a lot of people. I think we played every person we brought. It was really neat, seeing those guys make plays at the end. And then 62 carries for over 300 yards rushing. It’s kind of old Georgia Tech numbers.“
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin on the win
Defensively, Ole Miss absolutely suffocated the Yellow Jackets’ offense as they produced seven sacks while only giving up 214 total yards. AJ Finley led the team in tackles with seven. Otis Reese and Cedric Johnson made big impacts as well. Reece finished with five tackles and a sack while Johnson notched four tackles, a blocked punt, and a sack of his own.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart got the start and played his best game as a Rebel so far as he improved upon his week two performance. He went 10-for-16 for 207 yards through the air with one interception and made some big-time plays in the process.
Zach Evans had 18 carries for 134 yards, while Quinshon Judkins, rushed for 98 yards on 19 carries.
First Half
The Rebel offense came out of the gates hot and was dominant from its opening possession, reaching the end zone in just a little over one minute into the game, as Zach Evans punched in it from three yards out after rushing for 36 yards on four carries to start the game.
No. 6 for 6!@runzekerun01 | #HottyToddy
🖥 https://t.co/W1ip3Qgr1N pic.twitter.com/23IkddKpNv— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 17, 2022
Ole Miss’ defense followed up the quick score with an even quicker three-and-out which led to a Cedric Johnson blocked punt that set the Rebels up in the Yellow Jacket red zone. Six plays later, Ole Miss would take a 14-0 lead on an eight-yard touchdown run from Quinshon Judkins.
True Freshman Quinshon Judkins@qaj4_ | #HottyToddy
🖥 https://t.co/W1ip3Qgr1N pic.twitter.com/K1YyOSkEMU
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 17, 2022
After a blocked field goal ended Ole Miss next offensive possession, Georgia Tech found some offensive success and drove down to the Rebel goal line. However, the Yellow Jackets turned it over on downs after a Tavius Robinson sack on 4th and goal at the beginning of the second quarter.
Canada's Finest 🍁@TaviusRobinson | #HottyToddy
🖥 https://t.co/W1ip3Qgr1N pic.twitter.com/NppsFfUZ7d— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 17, 2022
After punts from both squads, the Ole Miss offense found its groove again as the Rebels took just six plays to increase the lead to three scores as Judkins’ 36-yard run set up a 26-yard rushing touchdown for Evans.
Can't stop six.@runzekerun01 | #HottyToddy
🖥 https://t.co/W1ip3Qgr1N pic.twitter.com/yFZ3m3WoJx— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 17, 2022
The Rebels had a chance to increase their lead before halftime after a nice drive set them up in Yellow Jacket territory but the drive stalled as Dart threw his second interception of the season as the half neared its end.
Ole Miss would take a 21-0 lead into halftime after a dominating rushing and defensive first half performance.
Second Half
The Rebels’ defense continued to dominate in the second half, forcing another Georgia Tech punt to open the half following an Austin Keys sack on 3rd down.
Dart started the second half for the Rebels and led the team down the field with his arm as he hooked up with Malik Heath twice on the drive, once for 18 yards and another for 25 yards. That set up another touchdown run for Judkins from one yard out to make the score 28-0 Rebels early in the second half.
Our Judking 👑@qaj4_ | #HottyToddy
🖥 https://t.co/W1ip3Qgr1N pic.twitter.com/LIFtRJS5dX— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 17, 2022
Ole Miss defense continued to suffocate the Yellow Jackets’ offense, causing another quick three-and-out. The Rebels began to take advantage of the gassed Georgia Tech defense. Another long reception from Heath set up yet another Ole Miss rushing touchdown as Ulysses Bentley IV took it in from 15 yards out to make it 35-0, Ole Miss.
What it doo?@BentleyDoo | #HottyToddy
🖥 https://t.co/W1ip3Qgr1N pic.twitter.com/3qk1zzPXj0— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 17, 2022
After yet another three-and-out forced by the defense, Ole Miss would quickly drive down the field on the back of Dart, who looked impressive. He completed several tough throws to set up the Rebels’ sixth rushing touchdown of the day as Bentley was able to reach the end zone for his second score of the night.
Parting of the Seas@BentleyDoo x @NickBro3ker x @calebwarren76
🖥 https://t.co/W1ip3Qgr1N pic.twitter.com/hVwen4Ip3S— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 17, 2022
The Rebels took a 42-0 lead into the fourth quarter and that score held as Ole Miss was able to coast to victory for the third straight week.
Ole Miss moves to 3-0 on the season after another lopsided victory. The Rebels return to Oxford next Saturday where they will host Tulsa for the final non-conference game of the 2022 campaign. Kickoff is set for 3:00 CST.
(Feature image credit: Josh McCoy, Ole Miss)
Dillon Cader
Dillon is from Yazoo City, Ms. He is a senior journalism major pursuing a career in sportswriting. He grew up an Ole Miss fan and has always followed Ole Miss sports as well as the Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Braves. He played football and basketball in high school and enjoys spending time with friends and family.
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