Ole Miss Rebels RB Quinshon Judkins Reveals What Makes 2023 Team 'Special' Entering Bowl Season

The Ole Miss Rebels have a chance to secure 11 wins in a single season for the first time in program history.

The Ole Miss Rebels finished the 2023 regular season with a 10-2 mark, obtaining just the second 10-win regular season in program history. That, in itself, is special.

The Rebels now await the announcement of their bowl game destination on Dec. 3, and while they are potentially in the running for a New Year's Six bowl, they have an opportunity to do something never done in Oxford before, regardless of the destination: win 11 games in a single season.

Following Ole Miss' 17-7 win over Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl, running back Quinshon Judkins discussed why he believes this Rebels team is special and what has given them this shot at history.

"This whole process of each week trying to get a win has been a long process, but it's a great feeling for everybody on the team [to have 10 wins]," Judkins said. "We have a chance to do something special, go win our bowl game and have an 11-2 season.

"The mentality we have as a team, I think we're able to do it."

Nov 23, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Quinshon Judkins (4) runs the ball as Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Jett Johnson (44) and defensive back Corey Ellington (10) attempt to make the tackle during the second half at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports / © Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Judkins himself toted the ball 28 times for 119 yards in the rivalry win for Ole Miss, but what, in his mind, is the mentality of this team that has managed to win so many close games in 2023?

"I think everyone's all-in," Judkins said. "No guy is focused on himself or stats; everyone wants to win here. They're supporting everyone else, and we care about each other."

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The Rebels are largely projected to just miss the New Year's Six cutoff and head to the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, although one projection in particular has Ole Miss in the NY6's Cotton Bowl. Regardless, it looks like Judkins and the Rebels will be playing on or around New Year's Day, meaning the running back might have to miss out on some family time.

"I would prefer not to [play on New Year's Day], but it doesn't really matter," Judkins said with a laugh. "On New Year's, I kind of want to be with my family, but it doesn't matter to me.

Such is the price to pay for a special season in Oxford, one that the running back himself helped make possible.