Ole Miss Rebels Overcome Third-Down Struggles vs. Arkansas Razorbacks
The No. 16 Ole Miss Rebels didn't convert their first third down until the fourth quarter, but they came at pivotal times.
Ole Miss faced a third-and-eight on the Arkansas Razorbacks' 25-yard line, and Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart connected with wide receiver Jordan Watkins, who made a sliding grab on the 9-yard completion. Three plays later, running back Ulysses Bentley IV picked up a third-and-1 and then some, strolling 7 yards into the end zone for a go-ahead touchdown to take a 24-20 lead.
With Arkansas clinging to one final breath, trailing 27-20, Bentley secured the victory by bouncing off tacklers and rushing for 6 yards on a game-winning third-and-3 play. Ole Miss finished the game 4-for-14 on third down — which isn't a formula for winning football — but it came through when needed.
Ole Miss Rebels running back Quinshon Judkins (4) runs during their game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium Saturday.
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Ole Miss faced a third-and-10 from their own 25-yard line towards the end of the third quarter.
Dart rifled a pass across the middle to wide receiver Dayton Wade, who dropped what would have been a sure-fire first down to move Ole Miss to 0-for-8 on third downs on the night — an epitome of how the Rebels' night started on third down.
Ole Miss had an average distance of 6.9 yards to go when facing third downs, but couldn't convert on short-yardage situations either.
Dart was stuffed for no gain on a third-and-goal at Arkansas' 1-yard line, which running back Quinshon Judkins picked up on fourth down with a Wildcat formation touchdown run. Despite converting on Bentley's touchdown run, Judkins was stopped for no gain on a third-and-1 and 1 yard shy of picking up a fourth-quarter third-and-2.
Head coach Lane Kiffin will get back to the drawing board to try and scheme up some plays to convert third downs because a 28.6 percent conversion rate isn't going to cut it for a season-long sample size.
