The Georgia at Ole Miss game was filled with high-stakes moments and unfortunate missed opportunities for the Bulldogs. The first drive showcased the Bulldogs’ defensive prowess, with Chaz Chambliss and Nazir Stackhouse combining for a sack, and safety Dan Jackson coming up with a timely interception. This turnover forced Rebels’ quarterback Jaxson Dart to the sideline with an ankle injury, shifting early momentum in Georgia’s favor.
Capitalizing on the turnover, the Bulldogs orchestrated a methodical seven-play drive culminating in a two-yard rushing touchdown by freshman Nate Frazier. Ole Miss responded with backup quarterback Austin Simmons, who went 5-for-6 for 64 yards, driving his team downfield and setting up a touchdown run by Ulysses Bentley IV to tie the game at 7-7.
Dart later returned to the game with his left ankle heavily taped and led the Rebels to a field goal, nudging the score to 13-7. Meanwhile, Georgia’s offense started finding rhythm on their final drive of the half, with key receptions from Dominic Lovett and Dillon Bell. But a crucial drop by tight end Ben Yurosek halted their progress. This drop, their 27th of the season and the highest in the nation, underscored the season-long struggle for the Bulldogs’ receiving corps. Ole Miss capitalized on the stalled drive, with Dart marching downfield to set up Cayden Lee’s impressive 53-yard field goal, sending the Rebels into halftime with a 16-7 lead and momentum on their side.
At halftime, Kirby Smart emphasized the need for the defense to pressure Dart and force turnovers, while on offense, he stressed the importance of a strong running game to keep Ole Miss’s defense honest. Georgia’s opening drive of the second half saw improvement, with four 10+ yard plays, all through the air. This promising drive ended in a field goal, cutting the lead to 16-10.
Dart responded for Ole Miss with back-to-back passes of 26 and 23 yards to Cayden Lee, ultimately leading to a precise 10-yard touchdown pass to Antwane ‘Juice’ Wells Jr., extending the Rebels’ lead to 22-10. The Bulldogs’ next drive was derailed by another turnover—a fumble on a screen pass by Frazier, who had otherwise been a bright spot for Georgia’s offense.
Reflecting on the third quarter, Smart remarked, “Three really good drives, maybe four, and a turnover on defense.” But the turnovers continued to haunt them. Georgia’s first drive of the fourth quarter was promising, chewing up 9:27 on the clock over 15 plays. However, a tipped fourth-down pass was intercepted by John Saunders Jr., ending another scoring opportunity and dealing a significant blow to Georgia’s comeback hopes. After that the Bulldogs could not come up with anymore significant scoring drives.
