In a stunning SEC upset, No. 16 Mississippi took down the reigning powerhouse No. 2 Georgia in a 28-10 victory at a packed Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Saturday. Behind quarterback Jaxson Dart’s precise passing and kicker Caden Davis’s consistent leg, Ole Miss (8-2, 4-2 SEC) notched its third consecutive win, setting itself up as a serious contender for the College Football Playoff.
The Rebels struck first with Ulysses Bentley’s 9-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, which set the tone for an assertive night. Jaxson Dart’s 10-yard touchdown pass to Antwane Wells Jr. in the third quarter widened the Rebels’ lead, as Ole Miss’ offense displayed a mix of methodical drives and explosive plays that Georgia struggled to contain.
Meanwhile, Davis became a pivotal part of Mississippi’s strategy, knocking in five field goals, including clutch kicks of 24 and 32 yards in the fourth quarter to maintain Ole Miss’ control and ultimately seal the win. By the final whistle, the Rebels had amassed 397 yards of total offense compared to Georgia’s 245, showcasing their balance on both sides of the ball.
Dart completed 13 of 22 passes for 199 yards, adding 50 rushing yards to keep the Bulldogs on their heels. Though he threw an interception, his poise and versatility on the field kept Georgia’s defense under pressure throughout the game.
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck had a decent statistical outing, completing 20 of 31 passes for 186 yards, but the Bulldogs’ offense struggled to find its rhythm. With only two offensive plays surpassing 20 yards, the team was unable to stretch the field, limiting opportunities for big gains. The Bulldogs’ 245 total yards were their lowest output this season, as Ole Miss’ defense continuously disrupted their drives.
One bright spot for Georgia was punter Brett Thorson, whose punt pinned Ole Miss on their 1-yard line—a rare highlight in an otherwise frustrating game for the Bulldogs. Despite this, Georgia could not capitalize on field position or generate consistent scoring drives. The lackluster offensive showing was a far cry from their earlier-season road win over Texas, as they were stifled by a fired-up Ole Miss defense and a record-breaking home crowd of 68,125 that created a difficult atmosphere.
The Bulldogs were unable to overcome a determined and disciplined Ole Miss squad, suffering their first SEC loss of the season. Without the explosive plays that have characterized their offense, Georgia struggled to break through a defense that refused to bend. This loss will not only shake up Georgia’s CFP positioning but also expose potential weaknesses as they head into a challenging stretch. With No. 7 Tennessee up next, Georgia will need to address its lack of downfield threats and find ways to generate bigger offensive plays.
Lane Kiffin’s Rebels earned a season-defining win that bolsters their place in the SEC and elevates their playoff aspirations. The victory marks a signature win for Kiffin’s tenure at Ole Miss, one that could bring them into serious CFP conversation. With strong performances from Dart and Davis and a defense that limited one of the nation’s top teams, the Rebels look poised to make a compelling case for a Top 10 ranking.
Georgia will return home to host No. 7 Tennessee, a matchup that now takes on even greater significance as the Bulldogs aim to rebound and keep their CFP hopes alive. Mississippi, on the other hand, will travel to face Florida on November 23, where they’ll look to carry the momentum of this season-altering win as they vie for an SEC championship appearance and, potentially, a CFP berth.
This game served as a statement that Ole Miss is a legitimate contender, not just in the SEC, but on the national stage, as they handed Georgia its most decisive loss in recent memory and shook up the college football landscape heading into the final weeks of the season.
