Ole Miss Crushes South Carolina 27-3 in Dominant Performance
In an NCAA clash on October 5, 2024, the Ole Miss Rebels delivered a commanding performance, overwhelming the South Carolina Gamecocks with a 27-3 victory.
Fans of both teams gathered at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina, expecting a competitive game, but it was Ole Miss who took control from the very beginning.
The Gamecocks struggled to get their offense going, while Ole Miss showcased both defensive prowess and offensive efficiency.
First Quarter: Ole Miss Sets the Tone Early
Ole Miss wasted no time in asserting their dominance. The Rebels stormed out of the gate with a touchdown drive that caught the South Carolina defense flat-footed. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss’ quarterback, orchestrated a well-executed drive, leading to a 4-yard touchdown run by Quinshon Judkins.
It was Judkins’ athleticism and vision that paved the way for this early score, as he weaved through the Gamecocks’ defense to reach the end zone.
Just minutes later, Ole Miss struck again. South Carolina’s defense found themselves under constant pressure, and the Rebels capitalized.
After a strong defensive stand, the Rebels got the ball back and immediately went to work. This time, it was a 23-yard pass from Dart to wide receiver Zakhari Franklin that set up another touchdown. Ole Miss had quickly built a 14-0 lead, leaving South Carolina stunned.
Second Quarter: South Carolina’s Struggles Continue
In the second quarter, South Carolina managed to stop the bleeding somewhat, but it wasn’t enough to mount any serious comeback.
The Gamecocks’ offense was plagued by miscommunication, missed blocks, and a failure to sustain drives. Their only score of the game came midway through the second quarter, as kicker Alex Herrera nailed a 42-yard field goal to put South Carolina on the board.
However, Ole Miss responded swiftly, keeping the pressure on. The Rebels’ kicker Caden Davis added a 38-yard field goal, extending their lead to 17-3. And just before halftime, Ole Miss put the nail in the coffin for the first half with another touchdown.
Dart once again led the charge, finding tight end Michael Trigg in the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown pass. Ole Miss went into halftime with a commanding 24-3 lead, and South Carolina seemed unable to find answers on either side of the ball.
Third Quarter: Ole Miss Maintains Control
Coming out of the break, South Carolina hoped to turn the tide, but Ole Miss’ defense continued to stifle the Gamecocks’ attempts to get anything going.
South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler, who had led his team to impressive victories earlier in the season, struggled to find any rhythm. Under constant pressure from the Ole Miss defensive line, Rattler was sacked multiple times and forced into hurried throws.
On the offensive side, Ole Miss continued to grind down the clock with an effective rushing attack. Though the third quarter was relatively quiet in terms of scoring, Ole Miss added a field goal, stretching their lead to 27-3.
At this point, it became clear that South Carolina would need a miracle to get back into the game.
Fourth Quarter: Ole Miss Coasts to Victory
In the final quarter, Ole Miss shifted into a more conservative mode, focusing on ball control and eating up the clock. The Rebels’ defense remained unyielding, denying South Carolina any hope of a late-game rally.
The Gamecocks’ offense continued to falter, and Ole Miss walked away with a convincing 27-3 win.
Key Performances and Man of the Match
The standout player of the game was Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, who put on a clinic both in the air and on the ground. Dart finished the game with 275 passing yards and two touchdown passes, along with 40 rushing yards that kept South Carolina’s defense off balance.
His composure in the pocket, combined with his ability to make key plays under pressure, earned him the well-deserved title of Man of the Match.
Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins also had a strong performance, rushing for 85 yards and a touchdown. On the receiving end, Zakhari Franklin played a critical role, racking up 110 receiving yards and providing key catches that extended several drives.
Defensively, Ole Miss was anchored by linebacker Ashanti Cistrunk, who led the team with 10 tackles and two sacks. Cistrunk was instrumental in containing South Carolina’s run game and putting relentless pressure on Spencer Rattler.
South Carolina’s Struggles
For South Carolina, this game was a tough pill to swallow. Spencer Rattler, who had shown flashes of brilliance earlier in the season, struggled to find consistency. Rattler completed only 14 of 31 passes for 125 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception. The Ole Miss defense bottled up the Gamecocks’ running game, holding them to just 45 rushing yards.
Despite a few bright spots, such as wide receiver Antwane Wells Jr., who caught five passes for 60 yards, South Carolina simply couldn’t sustain drives or get into scoring position. The Gamecocks’ offensive line also had a difficult time protecting Rattler, allowing four sacks and constant pressure throughout the game.
Implications for Both Teams
With this victory, Ole Miss improves to 4-1 on the season and solidifies their position in the NCAA football rankings. The Rebels have demonstrated they are a force to be reckoned with in the SEC, especially with their balanced offensive attack and suffocating defense. As they move forward, Ole Miss will look to continue their strong performances as they face tougher competition in the coming weeks.
South Carolina, on the other hand, falls to 3-2 and will need to regroup quickly. The Gamecocks’ season is far from over, but they’ll need to make adjustments if they hope to climb back up the college football standings. With tough games ahead in their South Carolina schedule, including matchups against SEC powerhouses, the Gamecocks have their work cut out for them.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
Next up for Ole Miss is a crucial game against Alabama, a matchup that could have significant implications for their standing in the NCAA football top 25 rankings. A win against Alabama would undoubtedly propel the Rebels higher in the rankings and bolster their case for a top-tier bowl game.
For South Carolina, their upcoming game against Florida offers a chance to bounce back. The South Carolina Gamecock football team will need to find ways to improve their offensive line play and get Spencer Rattler back on track. The Gamecocks still have time to turn their season around, but the margin for error is shrinking.
Conclusion
In this clash of college football titans, Ole Miss showed why they are one of the rising powers in the SEC. Their balanced offense, led by Jaxson Dart, and a stifling defense made them too much for South Carolina to handle. The Gamecocks, meanwhile, will need to regroup and refocus as they face a tough stretch ahead.
Ole Miss fans will be celebrating this comprehensive victory, while South Carolina fans will be left wondering what could have been. As the season progresses, both teams will have opportunities to define their destinies, but for now, Ole Miss stands tall with a decisive 27-3 win.
