Jaxson Dart Comes Up Clutch For Ole Miss Rebels In Win Over Auburn

While far from perfect, Jaxson Dart came up big in several moments away from Oxford for the Rebels.

Those who check the stat line might think Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart was a liability rather than the solution. 

Check further down the sheet to see the whole picture. 

Dart was far from perfect in the passing department for the No. 13 Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday evening. Then again, when you factor in his mobility, that was enough to secure the 28-21 win and keep hopes of winning the SEC West a while longer. 

The junior quarterback finished 10-of-17 passing for 202 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Zakhari Franklin found the end zone for the first time since joining the program from UTSA on an 11-yard pitch-and-catch during the first quarter. 

But Dart's legs catapulted Lane Kiffin's squad over former Rebels coach Hugh Freeze on The Plains. On first-and-10, he broke free for a 29-yard scamper to the house with 24 seconds remaining in the first quarter to break a 7-7 tie. 

As time expired in the third quarter, there was Dart again, this time punching it in from a yard out. 

Ole Miss Rebels running back Quinshon Judkins (No. 4) breaks through several Auburn Tigers defenders for a first down at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala.  / © John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Quinshon Judkins, a native of down the street Pike Road, gave the home crowd talking points with 124 yards on the ground and a score. Tre Harris looked like the clone that put up four touchdowns in the season-opening win over Mercer. The defense held Auburn's offense in check for most of the night, allowing just 275 yards and forcing a pair of turnovers. 

But Dart's progress in Year 2 under Kiffin continues to be the reason for optimism in Oxford. Ole Miss (6-1, 3-1 SEC) doesn't control its destiny and will need LSU to knock off a surging Alabama squad for the second straight season in Bryant-Denny Stadium come early November. 

Anything feels possible, though. Even in games where mishaps look like the headlines, the real story is how Ole Miss finds ways to secure the dubs. Seriously, a team goes 3-of-11 on third-down conversions and wins on the road? 

In the SEC? 

Dart's far from the leading man in the race to New York City, but he's leading Ole Miss closer to a prominent bowl game and perhaps more. The bowl part is secure. Now comes the prominent status. 

It's hard to sleep on the Rebels as long as Dart remains in control. And yes, for about 45 minutes of Saturday's action, Dart kept up the momentum. 

Quarterbacks trust the eyes, not the stat sheet.