Montrell Johnson Jr.‘s five-yard touchdown run with 7:40 left in the fourth quarter gave Florida A 24-17 victory on No. 9 Ole Mademoiselle Saturday in Gainesville.
Ole Miss’ last chance to tie the score was ruined by a terrible quarterback decision Jaxson Dart to add to a triple cover. The 39-yard pass attempt was broken up in the end zone by Bryce Thornton with 1:32 left in regulation.
The Rebels had an opportunity earlier to tie their previous possession after a 35-yard run by Dart put them on Florida’s 40-yard line. However, Dart overturned Jordan Watkins on a 40-yard pass, it would have been a touchdown. Caleb Banks And Tyreak Sapp then broke through on the next play to sack Dart and knock Ole Miss out of field goal range.
The defeat takes Ole Miss out of a tie for fourth place in the SEC and almost certainly eliminates the rebels of consideration for the College Football Playoff at 4–3 in conference and 8–3 overall.
Micah DavisThe Rebels’ muffled punt return early in the third quarter gave Florida the ball at the Ole Miss 37-yard line. The Gators couldn’t get a first down, but were close enough for a 53-yard field goal from Trey Smack and a 17-14 lead.
Ole Miss wide receiver Tre Harris left the game in the second quarter after apparently aggravating a groin injury. Before he was injured, he caught a 43-yard touchdown pass from Jaxson Dart that tied the score at 7-7.
Florida’s defense also played a big role on the Rebels’ subsequent possession, stopping Ole Miss on 4th and 1 from the Gators’ 10-yard line. Rather than score the tying basket, Lane Kiffin chose to go for it, but JJ Pegues was arrested without gain.
However, the Gators went 3-and-out on their next drive, giving Ole Miss the ball at midfield. The drive stopped at the 25-yard line, but on 4th and 7, Kiffin picked off a tying field goal try and Caden Davis converted from 42 meters.
The difference in this game may have been the efficiency of the red zone. Ole Miss went 0 for 3 inside the 20 yard line, while Florida went 2 for 2.
