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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – After running roughshod over a pair of lesser opponents, Ole Miss passed its 1st FBS test in a 40-6 win at Wake Forest on Saturday.
The 5th-ranked Rebels scored on their opening drive and were never seriously threatened, as quarterback Jaxson Dart had another big game and the defense held its 3rd straight opponent without a touchdown while limiting the Deacons to only 46 rushing yards.
But in doing so, they still left plenty of room for improvement.
Lane Kiffin’s team turned in anything but a clean performance. It turned the ball over twice, committed 11 penalties for 114 yards, missed an extra point and had to settle for 2 red zone field goals. But it was still more than enough to come away with Ole Miss’ 1st win in 3 all-time tries against Wake Forest.
Here are 3 takeaways from the Rebels’ victory:
Rebels’ end zone is still a touchdown-free zone
Wake Forest doubled the number of points allowed by Ole Miss’ defense in its 1st 2 games with a pair of Matthew Dennis field goals. But 3 games into the season, the Rebels still have yet to allow their 1st touchdown.
Thanks to an interception on the plus side of the field, an abundance of penalties and the passing of Hank Bachmeier, who threw for 239 yards, the Deacons had their chances. They made 3 trips inside the red zone. After yielding a field goal in the 1st half, the defense came up big to keep them out of the end zone on the other 2 opportunities.
The first came on a 4th-and-goal play from the 4-yard line early in the 3rd quarter with Ole Miss holding a 23-6 advantage. Bachmeier was put under duress by a strong pass rush and threw high, over his receiver’s head to turn the ball over on downs.
Then early in the 4th period, it was the secondary’s time to shine. On a 3rd down play from the 15, free safety Trey Washington made a nice recovery to break up a pass intended for Donavon Greene in the corner of the end zone. One play later, cornerback Brandon Turnage recorded a PBU in the end zone to keep the touchdown-less streak intact. It was the first time since 2019 that Wake was held without a touchdown.
Dart has good numbers, but he’s been better
Jaxson Dart put up decent numbers against the 1st power-conference defense he’s faced this season. And he got the win. But it wasn’t exactly his best effort.
The Rebels’ Heisman Trophy candidate completed 26 of his 34 passes for 377 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also rushed for a score on a rugged 13-yard 3rd quarter run in which he put his head down and carried several defenders with him into the end zone.
But he also got called for a personal foul for taking his helmet off and taunting Wake Forest defenders that likely cost his team 4 points. And he threw an ill-advised pass as he was pressured by a pair of defenders that was intercepted by the Deacons’ Dylan Hazen.
Those are the kind of mistakes you can get away with in a game where the outcome isn’t in doubt. As this one was. But they can turn out to be the difference between winning and losing in a tightly-contested battle against an SEC opponent. Like those coming up. The Rebels begin conference play in 2 weeks against Kentucky.
It’s a bird, it’s a plane … it’s a 325-pound fullback
JJ Pegues gives new meaning to the term fullback. The 6-foot-2, 325-pound senior is a defensive tackle by trade. He was the Rebels’ leader with a 85.1 tackling grade last season, according to Pro Football Focus. But he’s also become an effective weapon on offense in Lane Kiffin’s short-yardage package.
He was successful in picking up 1st downs on both of his carries Saturday. But saying that he got all 4 of his yards on the ground would be inaccurate. With his team facing a 4th-and-1 from the Wake 26 on Ole Miss’ 2nd possession, Pegues took a direct snap and launched himself over the scrum at the line of scrimmage before coming to a safe landing beyond the line to gain. It was a surprisingly graceful flight for a man his size.
Pegues also had a solid night on defense. The former Auburn transfer finished the night with 3 tackles, a half sack and 2 quarterback hurries.
Award-winning columnist Brett Friedlander has covered the ACC and college basketball since the 1980s.
