Steady Quinshon Judkins helps lead Rebels to win over Auburn: ‘We came out after halftime with the right mindset, we were going to win the game’
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss left Jordan-Hare with a 28-21 victory over Auburn Saturday night in a game that was filled with a bit of uncertainty at times as the proud Tigers fought hard. But there was one thing that was as sure and steady as ever and that was the running of Quinshon Judkins.
Judkins led the rushing attack with 21 carries for 121 yards, and a touchdown. He finished with his most yards per carry of the 2023 season at 5.9.
The Rebels needed every one of those.
Third and 22? @qaj4_‘s got this.
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/Pg4Q7nwAGd
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) October 21, 2023
Going into the half, Ole Miss had gone 1-for-6 on third downs, thrown an interception, muffed a field goal attempt, kicked a 10-yard punt, and committed seven penalties — five more than Auburn. Fortunately, the score was somehow tied 14-14, in large part because of an incredible effort from the Ole Miss defense.
But the ground game of Alabama native Judkins, who is originally from Pike Road approximately an hour west of Auburn, was just as important. He was always there to steady the Rebels’ ship when needed.
“Everyone was at a point where he just had to get going when we weren’t able to produce at that point…we came out after halftime with the right mindset, we were going to win the game. It can’t be just this guy or just this guy or a certain amount of leaders. Everyone has to buy into the process that goes into winning football games.”
Quinshon Judkins
Judkins’ unshakable presence was critical, and after the game he talked about how he approaches providing what his team needs.
“I think just me being even keeled, it’s the type of player I am, staying not too high or not too low. With that environment, it was hard to do so…but me, personally, I try to look at every game as the same as every other game on the schedule. But once we got this win, I was definitely happy.“
Quinshon Judkins
To say Judkins was focused before his trip home to play the Tigers is putting it mildly as quarterback Jaxson Dart explained.
“Coming to practices, Quinshon’s usually one of the guys that’s just kind of laughing around with everybody. (But) he had his headphones in every single day just kind of being at his locker, being in the zone. I know this one meant a lot to him and all the guys from Alabama.”
Jaxson Dart on Quinshon Judkins
After being tied at halftime, neither team had put any points on the board in the third quarter after three drives. But finally the Rebs figured out a way to move the ball. Quinshon rushed for 20 yards on three carries that drive and with the help of two 20-plus yard receptions by Tre Harris, the Rebs were able to get themselves in scoring position where Dart snuck in a one-yard touchdown run for the lead.
“Once we had that big connection to Tre (Harris), everything was great from then on,” Dart said postgame.
On Ole Miss’ next possession, now in the fourth quarter, Judkins punched in his first touchdown of the night on a four-yard run, essentially sealing the win with a 28-14 lead and 7:51 remaining.
Q Dragging D-Linemen 😳@qaj4_ | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/cYeYFx7zxV
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) October 22, 2023
As the clock wound down, Auburn was able to pull within seven points, but after a failed onside kick with 0:56 seconds left, Ole Miss officially escaped with the win — the first in Auburn since 2015.
Judkins talked about leaving the hostile environment of Jordan-Hare Stadium with a win.
“It speaks volumes honestly. It speaks that we have discipline to play throughout all four quarters. It speaks of what type of team we are compared to the other Ole Miss teams in the past that have been there. It is special for sure.”
Quinshon Judkins
Judkins’ fellow running back Ulysses Bentley IV, yet again, helped provided a formidable one-two punch for the Rebel offense. Bentley finished with 52 yards on 17 carries.
“We’re at that part of the season that we have to get going and are at a point where we have to have rhythm in the run game. That’s important for us. Bentley complementing me, that’s a great thing to have.“
Quinshon Judkins
Next Up
The Rebs will return to Oxford to take on the Vanderbilt Commodores for homecoming week. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT and the game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.
