Ole Miss Rebels Week 10 Notebook: Observations From Nail-Biter vs. Texas A&M Aggies

No. 10 Ole Miss barely survived against Texas A&M on Saturday, winning 38-35 in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

OXFORD, Miss. -- It was rather ugly at times, but the No. 10 Ole Miss Rebels found a way to survive against the Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday, beating Jimbo Fisher's squad 38-35 in front of a packed-out Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

Ole Miss had opportunities early in the game to get ahead of the Aggies by three scores, but penalties and miscues stifled the group and gave Texas A&M a chance to get back in the game. Entering halftime, the Rebels only held a six-point lead over A&M. The Rebels buckled down in the fourth quarter like they have many times this season, however, and were able to avoid a loss. 

Ole Miss remains undefeated (3-0) against the Aggies under coach Lane Kiffin. The Rebels are now 8-1 (5-1 in SEC) and now have to prepare for their big road game against the Georgia Bulldogs in Week 11.

Below are my notes and observations from Ole Miss' Week 10 victory over Texas A&M at home.

Ole Miss Rebels Quinshon Judkins (4) and Micah Pettus (57) celebrate a touchdown versus the Texas A&M Aggies (2023) / Carleigh Harbin-The Grove Report

Ole Miss Defense Struggles vs. Texas A&M

No one was worried about Texas A&M quarterback Max Johnson entering Saturday's game, but he and the rest of the Aggie offense gave the Rebels plenty of trouble on the defensive side of the ball. The Aggies entered the contest with a middling run game and a backup quarterback but still recorded 457 yards of total offense.

The defense forced A&M to punt four consecutive times in the first quarter, but the floodgates opened up in the second quarter and beyond.

Tre Harris Could Not Be Stopped On Saturday

Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart had another phenomenal day through the air - throwing for 387 yards and two scores - and receiver Tre Harris was once again his No. 1 target. Harris hauled in a season-high 11 receptions for 213 yards and one touchdown. Harris was making one-handed catches look routine versus A&M, and the Aggies had no answers for the senior wideout.

John Saunders Jr. Grabs Clutch Endzone Interception 

The defense was not spectacular by any means, but they still managed to take advantage of some errors by A&M. Johnson threw an ill-advised pass into the red zone with eight minutes left in the third quarter, and Ole Miss defensive back John Saunders Jr. simply plucked it out of the air. Saunders has now recorded two interceptions this season, which is tied for first on the team with defensive backs Trey Washington and Zamari Walton. The former transfer also finished second on the team in tackles versus A&M with eight total takedowns.  

Quinshon Judkins Records His First "Hat Trick" of 2023

Judkins had another big day on the ground and arguably his best performance of the season. The sophomore carried the ball 23 times for 102 yards and three touchdowns, making this the third consecutive game where Judkins has rushed for at least 100 yards. The Pike Road, Ala., native scored his third touchdown of the day direct snap and put the Rebels up by three to win the game.