Ole Miss Rebels QB Jaxson Dart Relieved To Have Golden Egg Back In Oxford
There will not be a playoff berth for the No. 12 Ole Miss Rebels in 2023, but there is still plenty to celebrate in Oxford, as the team has now secured two 10-win regular seasons in three years thanks to a 17-7 victory over their in-state rivals.
The Rebels beat the Mississippi State Bulldogs on the road Thursday night, making program history and reclaiming the Golden Egg Trophy in the same game. Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart did not have his best night as a Rebel, throwing for 96 yards and one touchdown, but he did enough to beat his rivals in a game where it was clear to see that he was fighting injury.
Dart spoke about how much this winning game meant to him after losing to State 24-22 in Oxford a season ago.
"This is a game you have highlighted on your schedule every single year," Dart told reporters. "Last year definitely left a sour taste in our mouths with how it ended. We practiced every day in the offseason thinking about this game and wanting to get the Egg back, it just means a lot to us."
Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart celebrates with the Golden Egg Trophy following a 17-7 win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs (2023).
© Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK
Dart was so crushed after the loss to the Bulldogs in 2022 that he aims to never let Mississippi State get its hands on the Golden Egg ever again.
"I made an oath to myself that I was never going to lose this game again," Dart said. "I thought we did a great job preparing for it as a team. When it mattered, we were able to push forward and pull through in the end."
Dart took a nasty hit in the third quarter that resulted in an eventual targeting call on Mississippi State, and, per usual, he kept it short and sweet when discussing his injury.
"We're great," Dart said.
With the regular season finished, Dart and the Rebels now have to wait until Dec. 3 to find out which bowl game they have earned. Dart and his teammates could become the first Ole Miss team to ever win 11 games in program history.
