Tre Harris' Monster Day Propels Ole Miss Rebels Past Texas A&M Aggies
OXFORD, Miss. -- It took until the final seconds of play, but the No. 10 Ole Miss Rebels have matched their win total from a season ago after topping the Texas A&M Aggies 38-35 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Saturday.
The Rebels (8-1, 5-1 SEC) struck first in the game with a nine-yard rushing score from Quinshon Judkins, and they scored again on an 11-yard pass from quarterback Jaxson Dart to wide receiver Tre Harris in the first half. Ole Miss had a chance to go up by three scores in the second quarter, but a 41-yard field goal from Caden Davis was blocked and returned for an A&M score, making the Rebels' lead just 14-7.
Nov 4, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Tre Harris (9) runs after a catch against Texas A&M Aggies defensive back Demani Richardson (26) and defensive back Sam McCall (16) during the first half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Petre Thomas - USA Today Sports
On the following drive, Jaxson Dart connected with Jordan Watkins down the sideline for a 29-yard touchdown pass, and an unsportsmanlike conduct call on the Aggies prompted Lane Kiffin and the Rebels to go for two after the score. That conversion failed, and A&M responded with a methodical 75-yard drive to cut the score to 20-14, its first offensive points of the day.
The Rebels carried that advantage into halftime, and it appeared that the Aggies were setting up to claim their first lead of the day on the first drive of the second half, but John Saunders Jr. intercepted Max Johnson in the end zone to give Ole Miss the ball and retain the lead. Quinshon Judkins then found the end zone for the second time on the day to extend the advantage.
Texas A&M would go on to make the second half a bit of a back-and-forth affair, but the Rebels continued to respond and were able to hold on late.
The Aggies took a lead late in the fourth quarter, but a direct snap to Quinshon Judkins from a yard out gave Ole Miss a 38-35 lead. As time expired, A&M attempted a 46-yard field goal to send the game to overtime, but it was tipped by Zxavian Harris of Ole Miss, helping the Rebels on on for the win.
The biggest story of the day was wide receiver Tre Harris' performance in Oxford. Harris finished the day with over 200 yards and had over 100 yards at halftime of the win, continuing his hot hand in the Rebels' passing game. His quarterback in Jaxson Dart also had 387 through the air and battled through an injury sustained in the first half.
With the win, the Rebels now have a huge game looming on the horizon next Saturday when they travel to face the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs in Athens. The kickoff time and television station have yet to be announced.
