Rebels Bounce Back with Win Against Sooners
Oxford, MS – In a thrilling matchup at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium this Saturday, the No. 18 Ole Miss Rebels returned to their winning ways, overcoming a sluggish start to topple the Oklahoma Sooners with a final score of 26-14. This victory puts the Rebels at an impressive 6-2 record for the season, with a 2-2 standing within the SEC.
First Half Struggles
The excitement started when Ole Miss kicked off the game and quickly drove down the field, culminating in a nine-yard rushing touchdown from Henry Parrish Jr.. However, that would be the high point of the first half, as the offense fell somewhat flat after that initial score. Ole Miss did manage to add a 35-yard field goal from Caden Davis in the second quarter, but they could not sustain their momentum.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma capitalized on the Rebels’ slow offensive pace, tying the game at 7 with a passing score from Jackson Arnold, who has recently made his return as the starting quarterback. The Sooners went on to take the lead with just six seconds left in the first half, ending with a 14-10 advantage that left many Ole Miss fans feeling anxious.
Rebels Rally in the Second Half
Coming out of the locker room, the Rebels looked like a different team. They tightened up their defense, forcing a series of Oklahoma punts that allowed their offense to find its rhythm. In a spectacular third-quarter performance, quarterback Jaxson Dart completed a touchdown pass to tight end Caden Prieskorn, and then JJ Pegues, a defensive lineman, stunned everyone with a one-yard rushing touchdown to reclaim the lead.
The fourth quarter saw no touchdowns, but Ole Miss added to their lead with another field goal from Caden Davis. This brought his total for the day to two field goals, even though he did have a missed extra point earlier in the game.
Star Performers
Looking at the stats, Jaxson Dart had an impressive outing, completing 22 of 30 passes for 311 yards and a touchdown. Henry Parrish Jr. led the Rebels’ rushing attack with 44 yards and a touchdown, while Caden Prieskorn stepped up in the absence of Tre Harris by leading the Rebels in receiving with 71 yards.
Defensively, the Rebels put on a show, racking up a remarkable nine sacks for a total yard loss of 60 yards. Suntarine Perkins stood out with three sacks, and both JJ Pegues and Princely Umanmielen contributed with two each. The outstanding defensive effort definitely helped shift the momentum back to Ole Miss in the second half.
Looking Ahead
Despite facing a few challenges, such as a total of seven penalties that cost them 94 yards, Ole Miss managed to control the field against Oklahoma and secure the victory. They are poised to hit the road again next week, taking on the Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville. Fans are hopeful that this win will serve as a springboard for the remainder of the season.
As the Rebel fans celebrate this critical win, it’s clear that the team is back on track after a tough couple of games. With a mix of strong offense and tenacious defense, the Ole Miss Rebels are proving that they are a force to be reckoned with as they move deeper into the season.
