COLUMBIA, S.C. − For the first time this season, Ole Miss football enters a game after a loss.
The No. 12 Rebels (4-1, 0-1 SEC) play at South Carolina (3-1, 1-1 SEC) today in Williams-Brice Stadium (2:30 p.m., ESPN). Ole Miss is aiming to bounce back from its upset home loss to Kentucky. The Gamecocks edge rushing attack will challenge the high-powered Rebels offense that struggled last week.
Coach Lane Kiffin said he is not panicking after his team fell to 0-1 in conference play. He will need a big day from quarterback Jaxson Dart, the nation’s leading passer, to level the Rebels’ record in conference play.
Ole Miss 17, South Carolina 3: Davis 24-yard field goal (7:16, 2Q)
Jaxson Dart found Tre Harris for a 57-yard completion down the right sideline to set up the Rebels for a short field goal.
Ole Miss 14, South Carolina 3: Herrera 40-yard field goal (10:08, 2Q)
South Carolina gets on the board after a five-play, 25-yard drive.
Walter Nolen comes up big again (13:46, 2Q)
Star Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen has made his presence felt. After recovering a fumble earlier in the game, Nolen blew up South Carolina’s 4th-and-3 play from the Ole Miss 30. He hounded after quarterback LaNorris Sellers, who was running to escape the pocket, and sacked him for a 10-yard loss.
Second quarter
Ole Miss 14, South Carolina 0: JJ Pegues 1-yard touchdown run (5:57, 1Q)
The big man does it again. Defensive lineman JJ Pegues made the most of his goal line carry by fighting through contact to get the ball over the line. It came after Henry Parrish was stuffed on first down.
Ole Miss recovers Robby Ashford fumble, has momentum early (9:04, 1Q)
The Rebels would be hard-pressed to dream up a better start. Although LaNorris Sellers started the game at quarterback for the Gamecocks, backup Robby Ashford came into the game for one snap. It went poorly. He rushed up the middle but the ball slipped out of his hands. Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen jumped on it to give Ole Miss another possession.
