GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Following a tough 24-17 defeat to Florida, Ole Miss football coach Lane Kiffin candidly addressed the factors that contributed to his team’s loss during the postgame press conference.
Kiffin pointed out several critical missed opportunities, which he believed played a significant role in the game’s outcome. He noted that the Rebels failed to convert in the red zone, finishing 0-for-3, missed a field goal attempt, were stopped twice on crucial fourth downs, and lost the turnover battle.
This loss is likely a blow to Ole Miss’ aspirations for a spot in the College Football Playoff, marking their third setback of the season. Similar to previous losses to Kentucky and LSU, the game was tightly contested, emphasizing a concerning trend for the Rebels. With an overall record of 8-3 and 4-3 in the Southeastern Conference, the Rebels have struggled to capitalize in close contests, with their three losses coming by a narrow total of 13 points. In contrast, their eight victories have been decisively in their favor, totaling 284 points.
Despite having an All-American caliber quarterback in Jaxson Dart and a robust defense, Kiffin acknowledged the challenges the team faces in close games, stating, “It’s football, (losing close games) happens. Year before, it was the opposite. A lot of close ones went our way.”
Kiffin further dissected the specifics of the Florida loss, highlighting the stark difference in red zone performance: Florida was perfect in their two red zone trips, while Ole Miss was left scoreless despite two promising drives that ended in turnovers on downs. Notably, running back JJ Pegues, who had been successful on every short-yardage attempt this season, was halted on two critical fourth-down runs near Florida’s goal line.
Jaxson Dart performed admirably, completing 24 of 41 passes for 323 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 71 yards. However, he faced some late-game adversity, throwing interceptions on consecutive drives as the Rebels looked to rally, and expressed his frustration after the game saying, “It sucks to lose these games.”
While the season may not be unfolding as Ole Miss had hoped, the team’s strong performances in previous games indicate that they still have the potential to finish strong. It’s crucial for the Rebels to learn from these close calls and focus on their strengths as they move forward, as there are always opportunities for redemption in the world of college football.
In summary, Ole Miss has faced challenges in close games, but with their talent and determination, there’s still hope for a resurgence as they strive to improve and capitalize on future opportunities.