Jaxson Dart Throws First 24 Passes in Ole Miss Victory

Jaxson Dart delivered a remarkable performance on Saturday, completing his first 24 passes in a dominant 52-3 victory for No. 6 Mississippi against Middle Tennessee. Dart’s final statistics were impressive, finishing the game with 25 of 27 completions for a total of 377 yards.

The record-setting streak of completions was halted at 24 when Dart and Tre Harris failed to connect on a crossing pattern with 9:56 remaining in the game. Dart’s achievement surpassed the previous Southeastern Conference (SEC) record of 23 consecutive completions set by Tennessee’s Tee Martin against South Carolina in 1998. He also broke the Ole Miss record of 19 straight completions established by Matt Corral in 2020.

Notably, Dart’s 30 consecutive completed passes over two games is now recognized as the longest streak in SEC history, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Despite facing a hard hit from the blind side in the second quarter, Dart showcased his resilience by responding with completions of 18 and 25 yards, capped off by a 3-yard touchdown run. He also connected with Antwane Wells Jr. for an 18-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

Coach Lane Kiffin praised Dart’s leadership on the field, highlighting his ability to manage the game effectively.

Following their overwhelming 76-0 win against Furman in the season opener, Ole Miss continued their trend of dominating lower-tier opponents. The Rebels have yet to allow a touchdown this season, reinforcing their strong defensive performance.

Henry Parrish Jr. had an outstanding game, achieving career highs with 165 rushing yards and scoring four touchdowns, averaging 11.8 yards per carry. Kiffin emphasized the importance of efficiency in their running game after last week’s performance, where most of their rushing yards came in garbage time.

“We have several good running backs,” Kiffin stated. “Parrish practiced well, so he got the start today and played well.”

Parrish’s game was particularly impressive considering he managed just 40 rushing yards against Furman. He reached 92 yards and two 11-yard touchdown runs halfway through the first quarter, helping the Rebels jump out to a quick 17-0 lead.

Middle Tennessee managed to score just before halftime, with Zeke Rankin hitting a 32-yard field goal that brought the score to 31-3 by the break.

Kiffin pointed out that while the team is performing well, they still need to clean up their play. The Rebels were penalized eight times for a total of 78 yards during the game, indicating areas for improvement.

This season, Ole Miss has only allowed 54 rushing yards across their two games, showcasing a formidable defensive line.

As the season progresses, Kiffin will likely focus on tightening up the team’s execution and reducing penalties, readying the Rebels for tougher competition ahead.

Source: Associated Press