After a two-game home stretch, Ole Miss was given the opportunity to answer the call against a road opponent. The Rebels delivered with their first shutout since 2014, beating Georgia Tech 42-0.
Lane Kiffin’s stable of running backs showed themselves to be a bright light on a team radiating potential. Rebel running backs Zach Evans (134 yards), Quinshon Judkins (98 yards), and Ulysses Bentley IV (27 yards) accounted for all of the Rebels’ touchdowns, each getting two scores a piece.
Q3 | DOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Six rushing TDs for the Rebs.@BentleyDoo | #HottyToddy
🖥 https://t.co/W1ip3Qgr1N pic.twitter.com/4GcGXdF0ZT— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 17, 2022
Defensively, the Rebels proved to be not only viable, but also exceptional against a Power Five opponent as Georgia Tech had a drastically limited ability to move the ball down the field. Also worth noting, Ole Miss sacked Georgia Tech quarterback Jeff Sims seven times throughout the game and only allowed 214 total yards from the Yellowjackets’ offense. Saturday’s shutout is the Rebels’ first Power Five one since 2008 against Mississippi State.
DEMON CLOWNEY 😈💥 @OleMissFB pic.twitter.com/3UpNRlVwJ3
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) September 17, 2022
As for the ongoing quarterback question, head coach Lane Kiffin said going into the game that both USC transfer Jaxson Dart and Starkville native Luke Altmyer would get opportunities to play. While true, Dart ended up playing three of the four quarters, going 10-16 for 207 yards and an interception. Altmyer went 1-2 with 22 yards.
Get you a QB who knows how to use the truck stick. 😳@JaxsonDart | #HottyToddy
🖥 https://t.co/W1ip3Qgr1N pic.twitter.com/T6Z8koCahV— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 17, 2022
Other notable performances came from Rebels’ junior defensive end Cedric Johnson who blocked a punt early in the first quarter and added a sack plus a fumble recovery to his ever-growing resume, as well as Charlotte transfer Jonathan Cruz who continues to add consistency to the Ole Miss special teams. Cruz knocked in all six extra points and all six of his kickoff attempts resulted in a touchback. Wideouts Malik Heath (78 yards) and Jonathan Mingo (74 yards) led the Rebels in receiving yards.
Ole Miss returns to Vaught Hemingway Stadium on Saturday, September 24. The Rebels are scheduled to face off against Tulsa at 3 p.m. CT.
