The Rebels kicked off their season with an impressive 76-0 victory over the Furman Paladins, marking the highest score during Lane Kiffin’s tenure.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart delivered a standout performance, completing 22 of 27 passes for 418 yards and a career-high six touchdowns. The team also showcased a strong ground game, amassing 243 rushing yards, with Matt Jones leading the charge, contributing 68 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, Chris Paul Jr., a transfer linebacker from Arkansas, topped the tackles chart with eight tackles, including two and a half for loss.
In the first half, Ole Miss began the game with possession, initially struggling to establish their running game. However, Dart’s 15-yard touchdown run put the Rebels on the board early. The restructured defense quickly made its presence felt, shutting down Furman’s run game.
Juice Wells, a transfer from South Carolina, added to the score with a 61-yard touchdown reception just moments into the second drive. Defensively, Trey Amos contributed with an interception, maintaining the momentum in the first quarter. Although Henry Parrish Jr. attempted to revitalize the run game, Ole Miss leaned heavily on their passing attack, culminating in a touchdown run by JJ Pegues.
The defensive unit continued to shine in the second quarter with a turnover on downs against Furman. Tre Harris III formed a strong connection with Dart, securing two touchdowns, including one from a 61-yard reception. Dae’Quan Wright also scored from the red zone, while the Rebels’ defense allowed a mere 19 rushing yards to Furman in the first half. Caden Prieskorn capped the half with a 46-yard touchdown catch, bringing Dart’s first-half tally to five passing touchdowns and a total of six scores.
The second half saw Paul Jr. continue to impress with a tackle for loss and a sack right after kickoff. Backup quarterback Austin Simmons quickly made his mark, throwing a 35-yard touchdown pass to Cayden Lee on his first play. Freshman Kam Franklin recorded his first career sack as the Rebels maintained their defensive dominance.
Although Simmons faced challenges in his next two drives, he rebounded on his fourth, executing the offense with precision and finishing the drive with a rushing touchdown by Matt Jones. Simmons showcased his agility with a 9-yard scramble, and Jones secured another touchdown with a 46-yard run.
Notably, Pegues contributed to both offense and defense with a rushing touchdown alongside two tackles for loss, displaying his versatility throughout the game.
Looking ahead, Ole Miss will face Middle Tennessee next week, scheduled for a 3:15 PM kickoff at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, with the game available for streaming on SEC Network+.