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Fan Reactions: Rebels express joy after Ole Miss defeats Georgia, 28-10

Fan Reactions: Rebels express joy after Ole Miss defeats Georgia, 28-10

OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss fans are still relishing the Rebels’ 28-10 win over Georgia last Saturday and likely will for many years to come. It was a season-defining victory for the team and arguably the biggest win of Lane Kiffin’s head coaching career.

Fans storm the field and celebrate the Rebels’ 28-10 win over Georgia. (Photo: Karis Chambliss, The Rebel Walk)

Saturday just felt different. From the jovial atmosphere in the Grove, to the walk into Vaught-Hemingway, to the fellowship in the stands with 68,000+ of your fellow Rebel fans, you saw and heard and felt the excitement. The anticipation that something special might happen was palpable. And so it did happen in a game that will be in our hearts forever. Sixty minutes of fight from the Ole Miss team — in pouring rain — led to fans joyfully storming the field (twice) and tearing down the goalposts.

The best way to describe that day and the win is to let Ole Miss fans speak for themselves. So we asked a group of Rebels what the game meant to them and what it felt like to emerge gloriously victorious.

Here’s what they had to say:

@StevenSmith_15

“Saturday November, 9th 2024. A normal Saturday if you will. But it was a day that would change my life forever as an Ole Miss fan! I’m now 29 years old, and I’ve cheered for this team for every single one of those years! I’ve seen the highs of beating ‘Bama in 2014 in person. I’ve seen the lows of seeing 4th and 25 happen in person, not to mention the 2-10 season. I never in a million years thought I’d see how we did last year and be such an elite program again.

“Fast forward to this season, I had originally bought UGA tickets for an anniversary gift for my wife who had never seen a huge Ole Miss game in person ever! She had been begging me to take her! Yes, I had to break the bank; I’m just your average blue collar worker. So, it took sacrifice! Sacrifice I made without even thinking twice.

“Unfortunately we then went on to lose against Kentucky and LSU. I thought I was going to have to sell my tickets because I was genuinely afraid the season was collapsing. But, no, the Rebs got hot and what they did Saturday afternoon in the VAUGHT was something I’ll cherish forever.

“I was brought to tears standing In that stadium watching Dart and that hellacious defense, not just win but utterly dominate UGA. I ran on the field just like I did in 2014, except this time I had my beautiful amazing wife by my side, hearing ‘HELL YEAH DAMN RIGHT’ blaring from the speakers! We touched the goal posts as they came by. My wife has expressed over and over how amazing that game was!! It wasn’t a dream — instead, it was years and years of heartbreak and defeat being taken down. I was reminded just how blessed I am, and I thank GOD for allowing me to witness what happened Saturday night. I have pictures and memories I’ll keep for my entire life on this earth and ones I’ll share with my kids one day. November 9th, 2024…. What a game, what a day, and what a moment for those Ole Miss Rebels!”

@whodatholly9

“As a long-suffering Ole Miss fan born into fandom in 1983, this victory was everything. This was a program-defining moment in our history and the reason Coach Kiffin and many of our portal transfers came to The Sip. I am so proud of the way we played, especially the defense. But we aren’t finished yet!! Let’s win out and make the playoffs!”

@CathyCox5

“Someone asked me what was the most electric game I’ve been to. My senior year at Ole Miss we beat Notre Dame in Jackson, MS., a home game for us. No storming the field or tearing down goalposts but we probably didn’t leave the stadium for 45 minutes So many hugs and tears and Hotty Toddy cheers. We caused their only loss that season and they went on to be National Champs. That game was legendary for my generation. And of course I was here for the ’14 win over Bama, and I went on the field.

BUT the win over Georgia was THE most electric game, crowd and win I’ve ever witnessed. Never sat down and never stopped yelling. And so huge because of CFP implications.”

@LeighAtTheBEACH

“Saw the light and converted to Rebel fandom in 2004 when my son enrolled. Been a season ticket holder ever since — celebrated the big wins over ‘Bama in 2014 and 2015 (as an Alabama resident, that meant so much). But this game means so much more. This team has grown so much and looks so well prepared. Against Georgia, they simply would not be denied. Fought through injuries to Jaxson Dart and JJ Pegues, played without two of our best offensive players. And our defense! What a great way to settle the score after last year’s heartbreaker in Athens. The best is still ahead! Dart is a great leader. But when he had to leave the game, Austin Simmons never missed a beat. The future is now — but I also see continued success for this program.”

@mssivils

“Born into a Rebel-loving family, I have experienced many emotions while watching my beloved Rebels play. Regardless of outcomes and seasons, I have remained a faithful ‘lifer.’ During my Rebelette and Billy Brewer days, being on the field and reveling in the electric atmosphere of home games was my best college experience. In my later years, I’ve enjoyed many great days in the Vaught, but the Alabama victory and the defeat of Georgia rank at the top. Hotty Toddy forever, Rebel Nation!”

@BrookeLenRebs81

“As a lifelong Rebel, having lived through the ups and downs, this win is everything. I started the same year as Eli. Been a fan, thick and thin. We’ve come so close so many times and yet have been denied. This time just feels different. Lane Kiffin and company have put together some dynamic players who have fought through the adversity we’ve faced early on in the season and have never given up. In the words of the great Chucky Mullins, this team has “never quit” and it just feels like “it’s TIME!”

@CherylCarlisleG

“As a lifelong Rebel, I’ll always love my Rebels. I’ve seen the highs and lows and lots of in between. Against Georgia, our team showed up when it was absolutely critical and claimed this much-needed victory. So proud! I just keep singing to myself: ‘Don’t stop ’till the victory is won for your Ole Miss Fight, fight for your Ole Miss!’ Hotty Toddy!”

@LandonB78

“Being at the game and watching Ole Miss take down Georgia felt like a dream come true. From the first play, the energy was electric (I lost my voice in the 1st quarter), and you could feel that we were there to make history. Every big play, every defensive stand, and every touchdown just added fuel to the fire for us, the crowd. Watching Ole Miss absolutely dominate one of the best teams in the country was surreal and something I’ll never forget. P.S. Pooh Paul is absolutely HIM!”

Here are a couple of ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures from Landon:

Ole Miss hosts Georgia at Vaught-Hemingway (Photo: Landon Barnhill)

Rebel fans celebrate the 28-10 win over Georgia, storming the field and tearing down the goalposts. (Photo: Landon Barnhill)

Next Up — and how to be in our next ‘Fan Reactions’ article

Ole Miss travels to Gainesville to take on the Gators Saturday, November 23. Kickoff is set for 11:00 a.m.  If you’d like to be included in our next ‘Fan Reactions’ article, please email: Evie@TheRebelWalk.com.  Hotty Toddy and Go Rebs!

(Feature image credit: Karis Chambliss, The Rebel Walk)

Evelyn Van Pelt

Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn's love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.

About The Author

Evelyn Van Pelt

Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn's love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.

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