Ole Miss Rebels' DL Jared Ivey Reveals Initial Reaction To First Peach Bowl Appearance

With the Ole Miss Rebels set to battle the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl, Atlanta native and senior defensive lineman Jared Ivey is ready for a homecoming crowd.

OXFORD, Miss. -- The No. 11 Ole Miss Rebels are prepping to battle the No. 10 Penn State Nittany Lions in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl on Dec. 30 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, which means senior defensive lineman Jared Ivey will get to play the role of hometown hero.

Ivey, a Suwanee, Ga., native, spent the first two years of his collegiate career playing for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets before deciding to transfer to Ole Miss ahead of the 2022 regular season. This will be Ivey's second time playing Atlanta since he became a Rebel and his first-ever Peach Bowl appearance. Ivey revealed what his initial reaction was when he first found out the Rebels would be playing in a NY6 bowl in his hometown during his Friday presser. 

Ole Miss Rebels defensive lineman Jared Ivey celebrates a fumble recovery with running back Fred McAfee (#35) versus the Mercer Bears (2023).  / Carleigh Harbin-The Grove Report

"My initial reaction was my phone is about to blow up with people asking for tickets," Ivey told reporters. "Trying to get as many as possible. It's going to be great playing back at home. I haven't played [in Mercedes-Benz Stadium] since I was at [Georgia] Tech, and then before that high school, so it'll be sweet playing in the Benz again."

Ivey recently announced he would be returning to Ole Miss for his final year of eligibility on Tuesday, joining fellow senior defensive lineman JJ Pegues. Ivey talked about his relationship with Pegues and what it means to have both former transfers back for one more season.

Rebels' DL Reveals Plans To Return For 2024 Season

"That's my dog," Ivey said of Pegues. "One of the first guys to take me in when I got [to Ole Miss] and he was new at the same time. He's one of those guys that everybody gravitates towards and everybody loves off the rip. Super excited to get back and go chase greatness next year with JJ."

Before the Ivey and Pegues chase greatness in 2024, however, they first have to take care of business versus the Nittany Lions to secure Ole Miss' first-ever 11-win season. Kickoff between Ole Miss and Penn State on Dec. 30 is set for 11 a.m. CT, and the game will be televised on ESPN.