Ole Miss Offense Looks Poised For Strong Season Following Week 1 Blowout

The Rebels offense had no issues getting the job done in their season opener on Saturday.

Jaxson Dart was clearly the right choice to start at quarterback in the Ole Miss season opener against Mercer, leading an explosive offense that more-than-handily got the job done in a 73-7 blowout on Saturday. 

Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. said in the preseason that he is looking for 12 explosive plays a game from his offense, and his unit delivered 11 of them in the first half alone. Dart was stellar at quarterback, going 18-for-23 for 334 passing yards and four touchdowns on the day. 

Spencer Sanders took over at quarterback with less than eight minutes left in the third quarter, following Dart taking the Rebels to a commanding lead at 52-7. Sanders quickly found his first passing score as a Rebel, connecting with Ulysses Bentley and giving Ole Miss a 59-7 lead with 5:27 left in the third.

Senior transfer Tre Harris had himself a day as well, breaking the Ole Miss record for receiving touchdowns in a single game with four. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound wide receiver from Louisiana Tech was explosive in his first SEC showing, making his mark in Oxford. Harris scored on four receiving passes and finished the game with 133 yards, putting himself on the map as a leading impact player for the Rebels this season.

Returning starter Quinshon Judkins’ performance at running back was also exceptional against a Mercer defense who struggled to stop him when he had the ball. The 2022 SEC Freshman of the Year scored two times on the ground, racking up 60 yards. Judkins picked up right where he left off last season without missing a beat.

Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins was responsible for two rushing scores on Saturday. 

Finally, senior wide receiver Jordan Watkins showed off his lightning speed, running 69 yards on a punt return for a touchdown just two minutes into the third quarter. He along with Harris eclipsed the century mark in receiving in the blowout win.

It's just one game against an FCS opponent, but if Week 1 is any indication, the Rebels could be poised for a special year on offense with numerous names shouldering the load.