A pair of Ole Miss football players are in the Southeastern Conference’s (SEC) spotlight after the Rebels defeated Wake Forest 40-6 on the road over the weekend.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart has been recognized as the SEC’s co-offensive player of the week alongside Alabama signal-caller Jalen Milroe. On the other side of the ball, Rebel defensive end Jared Ivey was listed as the conference’s co-defensive lineman of the week.
Though Dart displayed a slight blemish on the field during Saturday’s contest, throwing his first interception of the season against the Demon Deacons, the veteran field general still impressed on the gridiron. Dart became the No. 4 touchdown passer in Ole Miss history, surpassing former Rebel great Chad Kelly, after completing 26 of 34 attempts for 377 yards and two scores in Winston-Salem.
The senior quarterback also used his legs in the matchup, mounting 36 yards on the ground and a consequential second-half rushing touchdown on a 3rd and 11 situation in the red zone when the offense had begun to bog down.
🏈 SEC Offensive Player of the Week: WK 3
🔵 Jaxson Dart@OleMissFB x #SECFB pic.twitter.com/sYZ6iN0jE1
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) September 16, 2024
Ivey, a stronghold in Pete Golding’s defense both on and off the field, was a force against Wake Forest. The defensive end with viable NFL hopes practically lived in the backfield, mounting a pair of sacks and tackles for loss on Saturday.
While Ivey made opposing quarterback Hank Bachmeier miserable throughout the most recent game, the defensive stalwart dropped to the ground in pain and was later carted off the field with what appeared to be an injury to his left foot.
A long-term injury to Ivey would prove detrimental to the Rebels in their campaign to reach the College Football Playoff for the first time. However, sources tell SuperTalk Mississippi News that Ivey’s injury is not expected to be major.
🏈 SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week: WK 3
🔵 Jared Ivey@OleMissFB x #SECFB pic.twitter.com/JuqU7Ja8Rd
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) September 16, 2024
Despite No. 5 Ole Miss (3-0) leaving Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium a 34-point victor, head coach Lane Kiffin and company were not entirely pleased with the performance. The Rebels committed 11 penalties for 114 yards, turned the ball over multiple times, and were exploited in the secondary against the first power-four opponent on the 2024 calendar. A full recap of the game can be found here.
Kiffin’s bunch will look to turn the page on Saturday as Ole Miss will host Georgia Southern at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. That game will kick off at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium at 6:45 p.m. central and will be broadcast on the SEC Network as well as participating SuperTalk Mississippi stations.
