Jaxson Dart reflects on performance against Georgia, expresses love for his team: ‘I’m so proud to be an Ole Miss Rebel’
OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss has moved to 8-2 overall, 4-2 in SEC play, following a thrilling 28-10 win over Georgia last night inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Following the contest, quarterback Jaxson Dart addressed the media, beginning with how exciting it was to win, especially considering the amount of adversity the team has faced this season.
“It felt like everybody counted us out after the LSU game, and it felt like we’re two plays away from being the No. 1 team in the country. I’m just so proud of how resilient our group of guys are. It starts with the coaching staff and us never giving up or losing faith… sticking it out and trusting each other, it’s all part of the plan.“
– Dart on the adversity his team has faced
Jaxson finished the game throwing for 199 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception, as well as rushing for 50 yards. Obviously, Dart’s efficiency was crucial for the Rebels, but the performance of backup quarterback Austin Simmons cannot be overstated as he shifted the entire trajectory of the game.
Oxford is the place to be 📍#ComeToTheSip pic.twitter.com/4LVNmG50po
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) November 10, 2024
On the Rebels’ second drive, chasing a 7-0 deficit, Simmons entered the game for Dart due to an ankle injury Dart suffered. The youngster proceeded to march the ball down the field and score a touchdown in less than four minutes of play, completing five of his six passes — including converting a slant on 4th and 1.
(Related: Read everything head coach Lane Kiffin had to say about the win over Georgia.)
After watching Simmons bring the Rebs back into the game, Dart complimented his backup for his outstanding performance.
“I really wanted to start this off by saying how awesome of a job he (Simmons) did. It felt like his drive really changed the momentum of the game, and I’m just so proud of him, he’s a hell of a player. Him being able to come in and manufacture a drive like that, which resulted in a touchdown, is huge, and it really provided a spark for our team.“
– Dart on Austin Simmons
In addition to Simmons tying the game in the first quarter, Pete Golding’s defense did not allow a single touchdown after Georgia’s first drive of the game, which started at the Ole Miss 21-yard line after Dart’s lone interception.
On the day, the Rebel defense deflected five passes, racked up nine tackles for loss, notched four quarterback hurries, forced four fumbles, and recorded five sacks. Here’s what Dart had to say on the stellar play from his defense.
“It’s huge. It’s a security blanket. Pooh Paul, Jared Ivey, TJ Dottery, Trey Amos—they all came up to me during this week and kept telling me, ‘We got you bro, we’re locked in.’ Just hearing that gave me so much confidence that we can rely on those guys and they can close out games. I think this week really showed it. We all have learned from our mistakes from previous weeks, and besides the pick that I threw, really dominated.“
– Dart on the defensive performance
THIS OLE MISS DEFENSE >>>>
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) November 9, 2024
Despite elite on-field production, there was another key factor for this game, and that was the Ole Miss fanbase. Vaught-Hemingway held a record 68,126 people and went into a frenzy every single time Georgia had the ball in their hands. Dart not only acknowledged the fans but credited them for their help.
“It’s like having that 12th person on the field. Us going out in warmups—that was the most packed I had ever seen the stadium in warmups. With us not going through the Walk of Champions, in warmups them getting us hyped up, it felt really good. Anytime there’s a third down and you hear the crowd get loud and you have to yell in the guy’s ear next to you, that’s an amazing feeling. When you have a crowd and a fanbase that shows out the way that they did, it makes it really hard for an opposing team, so it was a huge help tonight.“
– Dart on the impact of the fan base
Later in his presser, Jaxson spoke on how he’s seen Lane Kiffin’s program improve over the course of his time in Oxford and the pride he takes in playing for this university. It’s worth noting that during his first year here, Ole Miss finished 8-5, losing the final game of the season 42-25 against Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl.
“You want to go into a place and leave it better than when you first stepped foot in, and I think that’s been my main objective day in and day out. Really, all the credit goes to my teammates and my coaches. I’m so blessed to have those people around me to make my job so much easier. This is a combination of people. I’m just so proud to be an Ole Miss Rebel, I’m grateful to be here. I told the guys, there’s not another place or group of guys I’d rather go to war with every single week, so it definitely means a lot.”
– Dart on playing for Ole Miss
To wrap up his time at the podium, Dart made reference to Tim Elko and a quote the former Rebel first baseman said right before Ole Miss Baseball went on its national-championship winning run in 2022.
“We have a lot of confidence in what we’re doing right now, and you know what Tim Elko said, ‘Don’t let the Rebs get hot.“
– Dart on the current mindset of the team
You heard the Captain
Don’t let the Rebs get hot! pic.twitter.com/uc7YCuiNoo— LeeAnne – HYDR ❤️💙 (@skribblydee) November 10, 2024
Rebel fans, be sure to enjoy this one and stay tuned to The Rebel Walk for all of your Ole Miss sports updates throughout the week. Ole Miss Football will have its second bye of the season on Saturday and will then return to the field in Gainesville on November 23rd at 11 a.m.
Hotty Toddy and Go Rebs!
