No. 16 Ole Miss Rebels Hold Off Arkansas Razorbacks to Win Defensive Struggle in Oxford

The Ole Miss Rebels offense was not firing on all cylinders on Saturday night, but they captured a home win over the Arkansas Razorbacks regardless.

OXFORD, Miss. -- A potential Magnolia Bowl hangover? It didn't matter in the end for the No. 16 Ole Miss Rebels on Saturday night as they picked up a 27-20 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

The Rebels (5-1, 2-1 SEC) offense was sluggish for much of the game after putting up 55 points and over 700 yards against the LSU Tigers a week ago, but the defense stood firm for much of the night, and Ole Miss was able to get key scores when it needed them. Arkansas drew first blood in the contest, but Ole Miss answered with a field goal and a short-field touchdown to take a 10-7 lead in the first frame of play.

The score would remain in favor of the home team at the intermission after a touch pass from Jaxson Dart to Dayton Wade gave the Rebels a 17-7 lead as the teams headed into the locker room. Much of the second half, however, belonged to Arkansas as the Hogs worked to claw their way back into the game, complete with a passing touchdown from K.J. Jefferson to secure the lead early in the fourth quarter. 

Oct 7, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks tight end Ty Washington (8) catches the ball as Mississippi Rebels defensive back DeShawn Gaddie Jr. (9) make the tackle during the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports / © Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Ole Miss would answer on its ensuing possession, however, capped off by a seven-yard rushing touchdown from Ulysses Bentley IV. The Rebels would then force a three-and-out from Arkansas and find a field goal from Caden Davis on the next drive to go up by seven.

An interception by Rebels defensive back John Saunders Jr. gave Ole Miss the ball with less than two minutes remaining, essentially sealing the win at home.

One of the most telling stats from the night was Ole Miss' struggles on third down. The Rebels went 3-for-13 on third downs, and for most of the night, the offense appeared to be out of sync after a record-breaking performance last Saturday.

In the final box score against the Hogs, Dart went 16-of-25 through the air for 153 yards and a score, and he also contributed 33 on the ground. Quinshon Judkins and Bentley were both responsible for rushing scores, and Bentley led the team on the ground with 94 yards.

The Rebels now will head into a bye week before hitting the road on Oct. 21 to face former head coach Hugh Freeze and the Auburn Tigers. The kickoff time and television station have yet to be announced.