Par Mark Long, Associated Press
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jaxson Dart’s final college football game was a memorable one, highlighted by an impressive 69-yard touchdown pass that didn’t exactly excite coach Lane Kiffin.
The Ole Miss quarterback, in his final hurray for the Rebels, threw for 404 yards and four touchdowns, propelling the 16th-ranked Rebels to a dominant 52-20 victory over Duke in the Gator Bowl on Thursday night.
Dart’s standout performance included seven receptions for 180 yards and two touchdowns from Jordan Watkins, one of which tied the game’s longest play with just 1:27 left. Kiffin chastised Dart after the game for adjusting a pass that wasn’t in the game plan.
“I like him, except for the last play where he tries a pass he’s not supposed to make,” Kiffin said. “He needs to learn to deal with this better.”
To round out his productive night, Dart also ran for 43 yards, leaving EverBank Stadium adorned with patches of grass and dirt – a fitting end to an exciting college career.
In a season that had its ups and downs, the senior never considered skipping the bowl game, instead leading the Rebels (10-3) to a historic feat. With the victory, Ole Miss achieved consecutive seasons with at least 10 wins for only the second time in program history, the first since 1959-60.
“This place changed my life,” Dart thought. “It was the best decision I made. The relationships I have created with everyone here will last a lifetime.
In his final varsity appearance, senior Ulysses Bentley IV also shined, with two touchdowns and 70 yards. Not far behind, Isaiah Hamilton electrified the crowd with a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown early in the third quarter, while the celebrations lavished dunks on a portable basketball hoop decorated with Duke logos.
This ACC-SEC matchup was largely predictable, with Ole Miss entering the game as an overwhelming 17.5-point favorite, especially with Duke missing key players, quarterback Maalik Murphy and running back Star Thomas, both entering the transfer portal.
At the helm for Duke was sophomore Henry Belin IV, who faced relentless pressure throughout the game. Belin completed 25 of 44 passes for 236 yards, scoring two touchdowns to one interception while being sacked three times.
His touchdown passes were among the Blue Devils’ few highlights. Another standout moment was Sahmir Hagans’ captivating 99-yard kickoff return, executed by a daring fullback on the field.
Although Ole Miss had a few hiccups, such as a trick play that saw kicker Caden Davis’ pass intercepted in the end zone, Dart took control for the rest of the game.
“The highlight of today was a special quarterback who played exceptionally well,” Duke coach Manny Diaz proclaimed.
To retain:
DUC : The Blue Devils won’t dwell on this loss, considering Belin’s urgent departure and the offensive talent to come.
OLE MISSING: The Rebels showed the majority of their starters in the bowl game, highlighting their commitment to Dart and Kiffin. However, they saw some departures, with CB Jadon Canady and RT Micah Pettus entering the transfer portal, and LB Chris Paul Jr., their top tackle, choosing to opt out to prepare for the draft.
Key injuries:
Duke cornerback Terry Moore, who intercepted the kicker’s pass, came out early and was seen heading toward the locker room. Ole Miss offensive lineman Eli Acker injured his right knee during an extra point in the second quarter and had to leave the field with help.
Sol I used:
The turf at EverBank Stadium was far from perfect, showing signs of wear that made it resemble a neighborhood field rather than pristine turf. Just four days before, the venue had hosted an NFL game between the Jaguars and Tennessee, leaving the field little time to recover.
Future :
Duke is preparing to welcome former Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah, who is set to receive $8 million in zero funding over the next two years.
As for Ole Miss, they’re ready for a change of pace with promising left-handed QB Austin Simmons, a redshirt freshman from Miami who opted to enroll two years early to learn from Dart.
