JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart capped his collegiate career with a thrilling performance, leading the 16th-ranked Rebels to a decisive 52-20 victory over Duke at the Gator Bowl on January 1, 2025. Dart’s last pass, which was a 69-yard touchdown, showcased his talent and left head coach Lane Kiffin both proud and frustrated.
Dart threw for 404 yards and four touchdowns, connecting with wide receiver Jordan Watkins for seven receptions totaling 180 yards, including the longest play of the night with just 1:27 left on the clock. Yet, Kiffin was quick to reprimand Dart for changing a play at the line when it wasn’t part of the game plan. “I love him except for the last play when he checked to a pass he shouldn’t have,” Kiffin remarked. Dart, unfazed, also added 43 rushing yards, leaving EverBank Stadium marked with grass and dirt stains all over his red and white uniform.
The Rebels concluded their season with ten wins, marking just the second time in the program’s history they have achieved back-to-back double-digit win seasons, the first being from 1959-60. “This place changed my life,” Dart said. “It was the best decision I made. The relationships I built here will last for life.”
Another senior, Ulysses Bentley IV, contributed significantly with 70 rushing yards and two touchdowns, solidifying the Rebels’ win. Meanwhile, Isaiah Hamilton electrified the crowd early in the third quarter with a stunning 50-yard interception returned for a touchdown, leading to celebratory dunks on a portable basketball hoop decorated with Duke logos.
Despite the anticipation surrounding the matchup between the ACC and SEC, the game was widely considered one-sided. Bookmakers had Ole Miss favored by 17.5 points, largely due to Duke missing key offensive players, quarterback Maalik Murphy and running back Star Thomas, who both entered the transfer portal after the team's last regular season game.
Duke’s offense struggled under the pressure, with sophomore Henry Belin IV making only his second career start. He completed 25 of 44 passes for 236 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception, being sacked three times during the game. Although Belin's performance had its highlights, such as scoring two touchdowns, Duke's overall game was marred by the absence of their key players.
One of the few standout moments for Duke came from Sahmir Hagans, who executed a 99-yard kickoff return, showcasing the Blue Devils' potential even amid adversity. Even with these moments of brilliance, the team could not overcome the consistent offensive dominance of Ole Miss.
Ole Miss faced its share of mishaps during the contest, such as Kiffin’s decision to call a fake play on fourth down—resulting in the punter’s pass being intercepted. Dart returned to control almost every play thereafter, fortifying the Rebels' lead. “What stood out today was a special quarterback playing spectacularly,” said Duke head coach Manny Diaz, acknowledging Dart's impact on the game.
Moving forward, Duke will look to rebuild and strengthen its roster, particularly with the addition of former Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah, who is expected to bring significant NIL funding. For Ole Miss, the future appears bright as they prepare to welcome highly-touted freshman quarterback Austin Simmons, who has spent the past two seasons observing Dart.
On the health front, the game did see some injuries. Duke cornerback Terry Moore was escorted to the locker room early on after sustaining injury, and Ole Miss offensive lineman Eli Acker left the field with a right knee injury after attempting an extra point.
Despite not being optimal, the playing conditions at EverBank Stadium were less than ideal, with the field showing signs of wear and tear from recent events. Just days before, it hosted an NFL game, which didn’t allow much time for resurfacing.
Overall, the Gator Bowl served not just as Dart’s farewell to college football but also as a significant chapter in Ole Miss football, setting the tone for future seasons.