Ole Miss Rebels' Impressive Air Attack Buries Texas A&M Aggies Secondary

Head coach Lane Kiffin and the Rebels walked out of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Saturday with a 38-35 win over Jimbo Fisher and the Aggies. The Ole Miss ground game was helped along by an impressive air attack against Texas A&M.

Head coach Lane Kiffin and the Rebels walked out of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Saturday with a 38-35 win over Jimbo Fisher and the Aggies. The Ole Miss ground game was helped along by an impressive air attack against Texas A&M.

A sloppy Aggies offense was overshadowed by an uninspired defense that allowed 518 total yards on the day, including 387 through the air.

Quarterback Jaxson Dart hit 24 of his 33 throws, and the recipient of 11 of those throws was receiver Tre Harris. Harris also accounted for 213 yards and one of Dart's two touchdown passes.

Jaxson Dart / Carleigh Harbin-The Grove Report

The Texas A&M secondary was constantly chewed up by Rebels receivers with long plays that extended drives and helped contribute to Ole Miss' 38 points on the day. Wideout Dayton Wade caught four balls for 80 yards, Jordan Watkins caught five for 47 and scored a touchdown, and Caden Prieskorn accounted for two catches and 33 yards.

But the big plays through the air hurt the Aggies the most. Harris had a long of 40, Wade caught a 31-yarder, Watkins grabbed one for 29, and Prieskorn hauled in one for 24. 

Those deep passes accentuated the ground attack of Quinshon Judkins, who carried the ball 23 times for 102 yards and three touchdowns. 

The Aggies' secondary has been a point of contention all season, and Saturday was no exception. While the A&M pass rush was sufficient, it was not outstanding, and  Dart had plenty of time to find open receivers when he wasn't on his rear end.