GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In a game packed with pivotal moments, defensive brilliance, and fourth-quarter heroics, the Florida Gators triumphed over Ole Miss, 23-17, on Saturday night at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The victory dealt a crushing blow to the Rebels’ playoff ambitions, slashing their chances to just 4%, while Florida’s momentum surged after last week’s win over LSU.
First Half: A Tale of Momentum Swings
The opening quarter was marked by offensive struggles for both teams, with neither able to sustain drives. Florida running back Montrell Johnson showed flashes of brilliance early, but penalties and errors stalled the Gators’ progress. On the other side, Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart orchestrated a promising 69-yard drive, only to be denied on a failed fourth-down conversion—a missed opportunity that would loom large later.
Florida broke the stalemate in the second quarter with a composed drive led by quarterback DJ Lagway. Lagway connected with receiver #6 Badger for a touchdown, putting the Gators ahead 7-0. Ole Miss responded swiftly, as Dart found receiver #9 Tre Harris for a 43-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7.
The Rebels gained the upper hand when Lagway threw an interception deep in Florida territory. Dart capitalized on the turnover, hitting #19 Cayden Lee in the end zone to give Ole Miss a 14-7 advantage. Refusing to back down, Florida leveled the score again before halftime with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Lagway to tight end Baugh, sending both teams to the locker room tied at 14-14.
Second Half: Florida’s Defense Shines
The third quarter turned into a defensive battle. Florida seized the lead with a 53-yard field goal after forcing a fumble on an Ole Miss punt return. Although the Rebels managed to tie the game at 17-17 with a field goal of their own, their offense struggled against Florida’s relentless defense.
Key moments included Florida stopping Ole Miss on a critical fourth-down attempt—one of two failed conversions for the Rebels in the game. Dropped passes and costly sacks further derailed Ole Miss, as the Florida defense tightened its grip.
Late in the fourth quarter, Montrell Johnson delivered a game-changing 35-yard run, followed by a rushing touchdown to put the Gators ahead 23-17. With time running out, Ole Miss faced a daunting task.
The Final Drive: Heartbreak for Ole Miss
Trailing by six, Jaxson Dart led the Rebels on a desperate drive in the closing minutes. With under 40 seconds left, Ole Miss reached Florida’s 48-yard line. But two errant passes, including a near-interception by cornerback Dijon Johnson, halted their progress.
On third down, Florida’s sophomore safety Thornton Bryce delivered the decisive blow. Bryce, who had already made a crucial interception earlier in the game, picked off Dart for the second time, securing the win for the Gators. This marked a historic performance for Bryce, as no Florida defender had recorded two interceptions in a game since 2022.
Key Takeaways
- Florida’s Defensive Dominance: The Gators’ defense, led by Bryce and a relentless pass rush, delivered clutch stops and forced critical mistakes from Ole Miss.
- Missed Opportunities for the Rebels: Failing to convert on two fourth downs and leaving six points on the board proved costly for Ole Miss.
- Postseason Fallout: The loss all but extinguished Ole Miss’s playoff hopes, while Florida continued its resurgence, cementing its role as a spoiler in the SEC.
Once again, The Swamp lived up to its reputation as one of college football’s toughest venues. With this hard-fought victory, the Gators added another chapter to a season filled with promise and potential.
Final Score: Florida 23, Ole Miss 17.
