Importance Of Ole Miss Rebels' Ugly Win vs. Arkansas Razorbacks
The No. 16 Ole Miss Rebels have won back-to-back games in nail-biting fashion, but their 27-20 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks says a lot.
It says they aren't hampered by their mistakes. It says they have grit. And, most importantly, it says they can win in an ugly fashion — which is an important quality of successful football teams.
"Well, it's not really pretty, but we won the game on defense, made some runs there at the end," head coach Lane Kiffin said on SEC Network's postgame after Ole Miss' 27-20 win. "This is heart, man. This is the SEC, so to be 5-1 headed into a bye is pretty good."
Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin reacts from the sidelines during their game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium Saturday.
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Ole Miss' two longest plays from scrimmage came in the fourth quarter. Running back Quinshon Judkins carried a handoff 34 yards and was followed by Ulysses Bentley IV's 32-yard run that led to the Rebels' final points of the night.
The Rebels started 0-for-8 on third down but dug deep and converted four of their final 6. Two came on back-to-back third downs with the latter resulting in a go-ahead 7-yard touchdown run by Bentley.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart didn't have his best stuff either but gutted through injuries to scrap his way to a 16-for-25, 153-yard, one-touchdown showing.
"He's a warrior," Kiffin said. "Obviously, he was hurt. His aim was off today. We didn't play well at all in the passing game today, so we gave them opportunities but the defense came up big."
Ole Miss' defense picked off Arkansas quarterback K.J. Jefferson twice at critical moments. Ashanti Cistrunk rumbled down to the Razorbacks' 3-yard line to set up the Rebels' first touchdown of the game, while John Saunders Jr. sealed the game as Arkansas was trying a game-tying drive.
Not every game can be an electric shootout like the 55-49 victory over LSU. Last season, Georgia went down to the wire with Kent State and Missouri but went on to win its second national championship.
All that matters is that the Rebels went 1-0 this week. Winning in the ugly fashion they did is only a testament to the talent and depth Ole Miss has.
