In a Nutshell: Ole Miss grinds it out late in 48-23 win over Georgia Tech
Ole Miss All American Cody Prewitt
Editor’s Note: Each week, we bring you our instant reaction from the Rebels’ game.
After today’s 48-23 Ole Miss win over Georgia Tech, former Rebel All-American safety Cody Prewitt gives his immediate thoughts on the positives, the negatives, and the key players and plays from the game.
THE POSITIVE: Jaxson Dart
Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart has found his identity on the field. He’s grown into his leadership role and that confidence, coupled with the experience he has in his second year in Lane Kiffin’s offense, has given the Rebels a legit playmaker at the QB position. It’s all upside from here for Dart who is only going to continue to get better.
He finished the win over the Yellow Jackets going 10-for-18 for 251 yards through the air, with one TD and no interceptions. He also rushed the ball 14 times for 136 yards and two touchdowns.
THE NEGATIVE: Defensive inconsistency
The defense struggled at times in this one, missing tackles, not reading keys, being out of position, and just not playing with our eyes. There were more than a few busted coverages, but all those are a direct result of not playing disciplined in everything mentioned above.
Georgia Tech finished with 477 total yards, 310 passing and 167 on the ground, They were 11-for-20 on third down conversions and finished 4-for-5 in the red zone. The time of possession was heavily skewed in the Yellow Jackets’ favor as they held the ball 39:17 to the Rebels’ 20:43, running 89 plays to Ole Miss’ 56.
That being said, the defense came up big in our “key series of the game” (below).
THE KEY SERIES: Georgia Tech turnover on downs
Ole Miss held a slim 10-3 lead at halftime and would kick off to start the second half. The Rebels forced a Georgia Tech punt and followed that up with their own TD to take a 17-3 lead.
Stopping the Yellow Jackets on the next series was important to help set the tone for the remainder of the game. On first down and 10 on their own 25, Georgia Tech lost five yards back to the 20. Then, on second and 15, Akelo Stone stopped Trey Cooley for no gain.
On 3rd and 15 on the Ga Tech 20, quarterback Haynes Kings kept it for 8 yards to his 28. On 4th and 28, the Yellow Jackets try the fake punt, direct snapping it to Avery Boyd whose pass was incomplete and the ball went over to the Rebs on downs deep in Georgia Tech territory.
Ole Miss would go on to score to take a 24-3 lead.
THE KEY PLAYER: Jaxson Dart
There can be no doubt with Jaxson Dart’s performance Saturday that he put the offense on his back, using both his arm and his legs. With key receivers out and star running back Quinshon Judkins banged up, Dart was the unquestioned leader the Rebels needed to grind out this win.
Jaxson Dart becomes the just the second Ole Miss player in the last 25 years with 200 passing yards, 100 rushing yards, and 2 rush TDs in a single game….Swag Kelly was the other. #HottyToddy
(Stat via: SEC Network)— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) September 17, 2023
THE KEY UNIT: Dart and the offense in 2nd half
Dart and the offense in the second half as they opened up for 38 points after being held to 10 in the first half.
THE MOMENTUM SHIFTER: Stopping the fake punt
Stopping the above-mentioned fake punt early in the third quarter was crucial and shifted momentum in the Rebels’ favor, especially after Ole Miss took over on downs and scored a touchdown to extend the lead to 24-3.
WHAT THIS GAME MEANS GOING FORWARD:
Ole Miss has a QB capable of leading this team to Atlanta but the Rebels need to improve the run blocking for Judkins. Yes, Ole Miss finished with 299 yards on the ground, but 136 of those came from Dart. The defense needs to be more consistent in playing disciplined and they have to play with energy and a sense of urgency every single time they touch the field.
The bottom line, however, is Ole Miss will head to Tuscaloosa undefeated at 3-0 to face a 2-1 Crimson Tide team that had its struggles in beating South Florida, 17-3, Saturday.
Hotty Toddy!
Cody Prewitt
Coming out of Sylva Bay Academy, a small private school in Bay Springs, Mississippi, Cody Prewitt was one of 10 players from the 2011 Ole Miss Football signing class who received high school All-America honors. In 2012, Prewitt started every game and finished second on the team with 80 tackles. He helped lead Ole Miss to a 7-6 record and a bowl win over Pittsburgh.
In 2013, Cody played in every game with 11 starts and led the SEC and tied for seventh nationally with six interceptions and finished second on the team with 71 tackles, 13 passes defended, four tackles-for-loss, and two forced fumbles. For his play, he became the 55th first team All-America selection in school history and helped lead Ole Miss to an 8-5 record and a bowl win over Georgia Tech. Cody was named a first-team All-American by both the Associated Press and USA Today. He was named named to the All-SEC first team by the AP, ESPN.com, Sporting News, College Sports Madness, and by the SEC coaches.
In 2014, Cody continued his decorated career at Ole Miss. He became the first player to return to Ole Miss as a first team All-American since Patrick Willis did so in 2006. He played in 13 games in 2014, finishing with 64 tackles on the season, 44 of which were solo. He notched 3 INTs, and had a fumble return for a touchdown against A&M.
In 2014, Cody was named All-America second team (AP, SI.com, CBS Sports, Scout.com, Athlon) • All-SEC first team (consensus) • Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist (2013 and 2014) • Midseason All-America and All-SEC • Preseason All-America and All-SEC • Week 7 National Defensive Player of the Week (after a 75-yard interception return for a touchdown at Texas A&M) • Helped Ole Miss rank top 15 nationally in total defense (321.2 ypg), opponent 3rd down conversion (31.1) and red zone defense (71.9)
