The Rebels kicked off their season with an impressive 76-0 victory over the Furman Paladins, marking the highest score in the Lane Kiffin era.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart had a standout performance, completing 22 of 27 passes for 418 yards and six total touchdowns, setting a personal record. As a team, the Rebels accumulated 243 rushing yards, led by Matt Jones, who rushed for 68 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, transfer linebacker Chris Paul Jr., formerly of Arkansas, led with eight tackles, including two and a half tackles for loss.
In the first half, Ole Miss started strong after receiving the kickoff, moving the ball effectively despite initial struggles in the run game. Dart opened the scoring with a 15-yard touchdown run. The new defense showcased its strength by stopping Furman’s rushing attempts.
Juice Wells, a transfer from South Carolina, quickly scored on a 61-yard reception, giving the Rebels another boost. The defense was particularly sharp, with Trey Amos securing an interception. While Henry Parrish Jr. attempted to generate a run game, Ole Miss largely relied on Dart’s passing. JJ Pegues added a rushing touchdown, extending the Rebels’ lead.
In the second quarter, the Rebels’ defense continued to assert dominance, forcing a turnover on downs against Furman. Tre Harris III connected with Dart for two touchdowns, including a remarkable 61-yard catch. Dae’Quan Wright found the end zone on a pass from Dart, while the defense held Furman to just 19 rushing yards in the first half. Caden Prieskorn also joined the scoring with a 46-yard touchdown catch.
The second half began with Paul Jr. making his presence felt by recording a tackle for loss and a sack. Backup quarterback Austin Simmons quickly made an impact, throwing a 35-yard touchdown pass to Cayden Lee on his first offensive play.
Freshman Kam Franklin added a sack in his debut as the Rebels’ defense remained tenacious. Simmons faced challenges on consecutive drives but rebounded on his fourth attempt, linking up for a rushing touchdown with Jones. Simmons showcased his agility on the following drive, resulting in another touchdown run for Jones.
An interesting note from the game is that Pegues was actively involved in all aspects, contributing a rushing touchdown and two tackles for loss.
Looking ahead, Ole Miss will face Middle Tennessee next week at 3:15 PM in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, with the game available for streaming on SEC Network+.