In a unique twist, it appears that Ole Miss may have learned how to win close football games. In years past, it seemed that any close game saw the Rebels come up just a little short. Based on what we’ve seen this season, that has begun to shift just a bit.
While there are plenty of reasons as to why this could be the case, first and foremost it’s important to explain the evidence that we have to support such a bold claim. After all, suggesting that the Ole Miss now knows how to win close games is certainly a bold claim, as all Rebel fans know. As such, here is the evidence.
The Evidence
It primarily comes in terms of reasonably close games where we’ve seen the Rebels come out on top. Let’s break down a few of those specific games.
Tulane – Week 2
In Week 2, Ole Miss traveled to New Orleans to take on a ranked Tulane squad. It was at a time in the season when the Rebels were dealing with more injury issues, and dealing with a bit of an odd environment at Yulman Stadium. For example, Ole Miss trailed 17-10 at halftime, and quite frankly was being dominated by a physical Green Wave defense. Then the second half happened.
The third quarter saw the Rebels tie it up on a Quinshon Judkins touchdown. A tie game heading to the fourth quarter had Rebel fans feeling a bit nervous. But there was no nervousness from the Ole Miss sideline. Behind a huge play from Jaxson Dart, and a touchdown pass to Michael Trigg (no longer on the team), the Rebels outscored Tulane 20-3 in the fourth, winning 38-20.
LSU – Week 5
The defense wasn’t optional in this one. It was downright prohibited. The first half saw the Rebels take a 31-28 lead into the half, including 760 yards of offense. The second half was more of the same. Virtually no stops, just points, and a lot of them.
By the start of the fourth quarter, LSU led by eight. Midway through the final frame, the Tiger lead was nine, at 49-40. In past seasons, that type of deficit late in the game meant an automatic Rebel loss. However, an Ole Miss touchdown cut the score to 49-47. Then the unthinkable happened. The defense subsequently got a massive stop.
That stop turned into another Rebel touchdown, as Dart looked masterful late in the contest. However, only leading by six with 39 seconds left, the game wasn’t over. The Ole Miss defense let the Tigers drive down the field, with one last shot at the end zone for the win. Jayden Daniels pass was on the mark, but Rebels safety Daijahn Anthony knocked the potential game-winner down, securing the Ole Miss victory.
Arkansas – Week 6
The very next week saw Ole Miss in another tight contest that came down to the wire. The difference is that this one ended up being a defensive slugfest. A 17-7 Rebel lead at halftime turned into a 20-17 Arkansas lead early in the fourth quarter. From that point on, it was all Ole Miss. Dart led the offense to a touchdown to make it 24-20.
Similar to the previous week, the defense then picked up a huge stop on the opponent’s ensuing possession. Following the stop, the Rebel offense drove down to kick a field goal, extending the lead to seven. With one chance left to tie the game, Arkansas took over. However, an interception near midfield sealed another Rebel victory.
Texas A&M – Week 10
Last week was a game that everyone expected to be close. Needless to say, those people weren’t disappointed. Up 14-0, Ole Miss lined up for a field goal to extend the lead. That kick got blocked and run back for a touchdown. It ended up being a moment that flipped the momentum for the rest of the first half.
While the Rebels led 20-14 at the half, it was hard not to think about the fact it should’ve been a much larger lead. But despite the mistakes in the first half, Ole Miss came out in the third quarter and once again took control. Leading 31-21, they entered the final frame. That’s when the Aggies made their move.
A touchdown, a defensive stop, and another touchdown later, Texas A&M found themselves up 35-31. But Dart led another huge Rebel drive, scoring a touchdown with 1:40 on the clock. On the ensuing Aggie drive, Max Johnson avoided near turnovers multiple times, setting up a 47-yard field goal to tie it and send the game to overtime.
That attempt was deflected at the line of scrimmage and the Rebels survived 38-35.
Why Are the Rebels Suddenly Finding Late Game Success?
In the past, those are virtually all games that Ole Miss typically finds ways to lose. However, the exact opposite has been the case this season. So why?
Balanced Offensive Attack
It starts with the balance on offense. Even when trailing late, there’s never a sense of panic from the Rebels offense. With trust in a talented group of receivers, especially Tre Harris and Jordan Watkins, and the experienced Dart leading the offense, there’s always the belief they can find a way to get the job done.
And it doesn’t hurt that both running backs in the backfield have been huge as well. Between Judkins and Ulysses Bentley IV, there’s always the potential that the Rebels shake things up and hand the ball off on traditional passing downs. This balanced attack, and the lack of panic, is a big reason for the late-game success.
Defensive Stops
This has been the biggest difference-maker so far this season in tight ballgames. While the Ole Miss defense isn’t great, they are vastly improved from what we’ve seen in the past. More importantly, they’ve managed to get stops when they need them.
It isn’t always pretty, and it sometimes looks more like a “bend but don’t break” mindset, but it has worked. Sometimes it’s a turnover, other times it’s a fourth down stop, and Saturday it was a blocked field goal. Regardless of how it’s happened, they’ve found stops when it’s vital. The trust in the defense to find a way to get the job done is certainly new throughout Oxford.
The Bottom Line
This is a new Ole Miss team, and it’s one that not many are used to. In the past, a two-score deficit in the fourth quarter meant a loss, because the defense wouldn’t be able to get the stops it needed. This year, that’s changed. If that success late in games can continue past this season alone, this Rebel program could quickly find itself in the upper tier of the SEC consistently.
That success, and the defense’s ability to get stopped is going to be put on full display this weekend in its toughest test yet, as Ole Miss travels to Athens to take on Georgia. It’s a tall task, but it’s one the new look Rebels seem to embrace.
We’ll see how it all turns out Saturday night, as kickoff between the hedges is set for November 11 at 7:00 pm ET on ESPN.
