Gainesville, Florida - The Florida Gators pulled off a stunning upset against the No. 9-ranked Ole Miss Rebels, defeating them 24-17 and effectively eliminating Ole Miss from contention for the College Football Playoff this past Saturday. The Gators, fresh off their impressive victory over LSU the previous weekend, showed their resilience and determination, marking it as the first time they have beaten ranked opponents back-to-back as unranked teams since 2003, according to ESPN Research.
Final scores were not determined until the very last moments of the game. The Rebels, hoping to clinch their playoff spot, found their aspirations dimming as Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart completed 24 of 41 passes for 323 yards. His performance, though initially promising, faltered with two late-game interceptions - the final blow sealing the fate of the game just 17 seconds before the final whistle.
The first interception came under intense pressure as Dart attempted to lead his team down the field for the equalizing touchdown. With under two minutes remaining, he threw deep and was intercepted by Florida's Bryce Thornton, who adeptly read the play and ended the drive. Following this, the Rebels, still having all their timeouts left, managed to regain possession with just over 60 seconds to play but faced another interception from Dart just as they were trying to make their final push.
Florida’s head coach Billy Napier was all smiles after the game, claiming, “We’re just getting started. This is part of the big-picture process. Belief is the most powerful thing.” His squad showcased the fighting spirit he speaks of, with outstanding contributions across the field. Quarterback DJ Lagway lit up the scoreboard by connecting with Elijhah Badger for the game’s opening touchdown, and running back Montrell Johnson made significant strides, running for 127 yards and scoring once.
Florida's offense had its moments of brilliance, particularly when Lagway scrambled under defensive pressure, most memorably when he set up Johnson’s final rushing touchdown following Diallo off the backfield on another big play. Lagway finished the day with two touchdowns, completing 10 of 17 passes for 180 yards before connecting with key receivers multiple times.
While both squads executed impressive plays, it was clear from the onset of the match which team had the most momentum. The Gators dominated the stats board, significantly outpacing the Rebels in efficiency, with Florida converting on 43% of third downs compared to Ole Miss's diminished 21% success rate, which certainly played a pivotal role.
Despite their efforts, Ole Miss was plagued by mistakes throughout the game. Their inability to finish drives was underscored by going 0-for-3 inside the red zone, resulting in missed opportunities. Coach Lane Kiffin commented, "Clearly, we had too many missed opportunities. We were 0-for-3 on red zone tries, and the turnovers didn’t help us either. Very unusual day for us." Major challenges also arose from deteriorated pass-catching performance, leading to several dropped passes, three of which could have undoubtedly resulted in touchdowns.
The game began with the Gators making their mark quickly, jumping to a 7-0 lead following Lagway’s connection with Badger. Ole Miss quickly retaliated with two consecutive touchdown drives, the first being Dart’s deep pass to Tre Harris, who displayed unbelievable speed to score from 43 yards out, putting the Rebels back on top 14-7. To Matt's relief, Florida countered with another touchdown of their own before entering halftime tied.
The second half saw the teams exchanging field goals, but it was the Gators who seized the moment with their decisive touchdown from Johnson, sending waves of excitement through the stands. Langway effectively orchestrated plays and kept Ole Miss guessing with his mobility and clever decision-making, which proved beneficial to the Gators throughout the match.
With this win, expectations rose within the Florida camp. Comprehensive shifts across the College Football Playoff rankings now loom, which unearthed debates across analysts about the ripple effects from this upset. For Ole Miss, the loss felt like heartbreak following the Rebels' three-game winning streak, as their hopes for contending for the College Football Playoff were dashed. “A lot of things were at stake. We didn’t come through. It hurts more than anything,” Kiffin sighed post-game, waving away the incorrect calls and player mistakes.
The ramifications of Florida’s impressive win traveled beyond the field. Fans from other SEC schools celebrated the loss of Ole Miss, with Tennessee football fans even breaking out the iconic Gator Chomp celebration during their own game against UTEP later the same day. This unique expression prompted curiosity, showing how far-reaching the impact was, with Vols' aficionados appreciative of Florida's efforts as it solidified their own playoff chances.
Response to the game itself will continue for weeks, especially as analysts critique Ole Miss's playoff potential after such failures when postseason hopes were nearly solidified. With two major teams stumbling through the playoffs, rankings for the remaining contenders now stand to see rapid changes. ESPN's College Football Power Index reinforced this notion, leading to greater anticipation for the upcoming rankings due next week.
A crowded Cheltenham Park buzzing with Gators fans set the scene for the celebration following the game, reflecting their team’s unexpected turnaround following the struggles they've faced over the last few seasons. Florida now looks to build from this momentum to finish strong, with the belief growing among their ranks to conclude the 2024 season on a high note. Coach Napier stated, "Last week we made great strides, and this win signifies our real home stretch. We want to continue this success through the end of the season and beyond.”
With their next fixture approaching, all eyes will remain on the Gators as they welcome new opportunities, facing upcoming contenders with renewed strength and hunger. For Ole Miss, the reality is far different as they must regroup, reflecting on the lessons learned from this dramatic loss framed under the spotlight of college football.
