The Grove Report

LIVE In-Game Blog: Ole Miss Crushes Furman in 2024 Season Opener

Follow along for live updates from the Ole Miss Rebels' season opener against the Furman Paladins.

John Macon Gillespie

Ole Miss Rebels defensive back Trey Washington in the team's Week 1 uniform reveal.
Ole Miss Rebels defensive back Trey Washington in the team's Week 1 uniform reveal. / Ole Miss Athletics
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OXFORD -- The 2024 college football season is finally here, and the No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels are kicking things off against the FCS Furman Paladins on Saturday night.

Ole Miss is expected to challenge for a College Football Playoff berth this season, but it's important not to put the proverbial cart before the horse. Before the Rebels can think about the CFP, they have to think about the regular season, and that means taking care of business against Furman in Week 1.

Head coach Lane Kiffin mentioned on Monday that Ole Miss was dealing with some wide receiver injuries this week, and he stated that he expects the ground game to be a big part of his team's strategy on Saturday night. Like much of the Rebels roster, the running back room features some new faces from the transfer portal who could see carries this weekend, namely Henry Parrish Jr. and Rashad Amos.

Ole Miss is a 42.5-point favorite against the Paladins this week, according to FanDuel, but its primary goal should be claiming an efficient win and staying healthy in the process. Follow along below for live updates from Saturday's game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

This story will be updated throughout the game on Saturday night.

PREGAME

Kickoff on Saturday night is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, and the game can be seen on SEC Network+ and ESPN+, if you're not in attendance.

Ole Miss revealed its uniform combination for this week on Thursday night, opting to go with a relatively-classic look of navy helmets, navy jerseys and white pants. You can view the uniform reveal below.

According to reports from David Eckert of The Clarion Ledger, wide receiver Jordan Watkins will not be suiting up for Ole Miss tonight. He is not listed on Saturday's depth chart, but Juice Wells is listed as a starter.

The Rebels are also set to debut commemorative decals for the late Monte Kiffin on Saturday night. Monte, the father of Lane, passed away over the summer.

Today's captains for Ole Miss are JJ Pegues, Trey Washington, Jayden Williams and Jeremy James.

FIRST QUARTER

Ole Miss will receive to start tonight.

1Q | 11:53 -- The first score of the season for Ole Miss comes quickly, and it's a 15-yard carry by quarterback Jaxson Dart. Ole Miss 7, Furman 0

1Q | 8:07 -- Furman is eventually forced to punt on its opening drive, and it takes the Rebels two plays to find the end zone again, this time on a 61-yard pass from Jaxson Dart to Juice Wells. Ole Miss 14, Furman 0

1Q | 7:36 -- Trey Amos hauls in an interception for Ole Miss, and the Rebels take over with solid field position.

1Q | 4:39 -- JJ Pegues takes a direct snap on back-to-back plays and finds his way into the end zone on the ground. Ole Miss 21, Furman 0

1Q | 2:26 -- Furman is forced to punt again after a dominant showing by the Ole Miss defense, and the Rebels take over at the Paladin 45.

1Q | 0:58 -- Ole Miss has to settle for a field goal towards the end of the quarter, but it's good from 42 yards out. Ole Miss 24, Furman 0

END 1Q: Ole Miss 24, Furman 0

SECOND QUARTER

2Q | 11:27 -- The Rebels are on the board again, this time as Jaxson Dart finds tight end Dae'Quan Wright for a short passing score. Ole Miss 31, Furman 0

2Q | 8:00 -- Jaxson Dart has his fourth total (third passing) touchdown of the night on a 46-yard toss to Caden Prieskorn. The Rebels are running away with this one early. Ole Miss 38, Furman 0

2Q | 6:18 -- Jaxson Dart again has a passing score of the 61-yard variety, this time to Tre Harris. Ole Miss 45, Furman 0

2Q | 1:34 -- Dart finds Tre Harris again for a score, and the Rebels continue to pour it on. That's a career-high for Dart in passing touchdowns and touchdowns responsible for. Ole Miss 52, Furman 0

2Q | 0:00 -- Caden Davis misses a 53-yard field goal to conclude the first half.

HALFTIME: Ole Miss 52, Furman 0

THIRD QUARTER

3Q | 12:49 -- Ole Miss forces a Furman punt to start the second half, and Austin Simmons is in at quarterback for the Rebels. His first pass is a long touchdown to Cayden Lee. Ole Miss 59, Furman 0

3Q | 4:46 -- It has been a relatively slow third quarter from a scoring perspective, but Matt Jones just scored from 17 yards out on the ground. Ole Miss 66, Furman 0

3Q | 0:17 -- Jones just broke another run, this time for 46 yards to the end zone. Ole Miss 73, Furman 0

END 3Q: Ole Miss 73, Furman 0

FOURTH QUARTER

4Q | 11:43 -- Caden Davis sinks a 41-yard field goal. Ole Miss 76, Furman 0

FINAL: Ole Miss 76, Furman 0

Published |Modified
John Macon Gillespie
JOHN MACON GILLESPIE

John Macon Gillespie is the publisher of The Grove Report and has experience on the Ole Miss beat spanning five years.

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