OXFORD, MS — In what was an action-packed and back-and-forth showdown, the Arkansas Razorbacks (5-4, 2-3 SEC) were narrowly edged by Ole Miss (6-3, 3-2 SEC) on a last-second field goal, 25-24, under the lights of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. A game filled with explosive plays, big moments, and strategic decisions, ultimately came down to a final, clutch kick by Ole Miss kicker Caden Davis, who sent a 38-yard field goal through the uprights as time expired.
Early Explosion: Big Plays, Big Yards
The game opened with fireworks. Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart wasted no time, leading the Rebels down the field with impressive poise. His first-quarter touchdown pass to Jordan Anthony was a thing of beauty—a 62-yard strike that had the crowd buzzing. Dart’s ability to read the defense and make sharp, accurate throws kept the Razorback defense on its heels early.
Arkansas, however, answered back with their own moments of brilliance. As the second quarter began, Ole Miss added another touchdown, this time a 17-yard pass from Dart to Trey Harris. With a 14-0 lead, it seemed like the Rebels were in control, but Arkansas quickly tightened the game.
With just over two minutes left in the first half, Dart connected with Caden Prieskorn on a 9-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 21-7. But Arkansas would not let Ole Miss pull away. The Razorbacks responded with a 3-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Taylin Green to Andrew Armstrong, narrowing the margin to 16-14 as halftime approached.
Second Half Drama: Razorbacks Show Fight
The second half saw more explosive action, but it was Arkansas who struck first. Joaquin Jackson found the end zone with a 5-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter, giving the Razorbacks their first lead of the game at 21-16. But Ole Miss wasn’t done. Dart and company answered back, this time with a 2-yard rushing touchdown from Quinshon Judkins. The extra-point attempt failed, leaving the Rebels trailing by one, 21-20, heading into the final quarter.
The drama continued into the fourth. Arkansas added a 28-yard field goal early in the period, giving them a narrow 24-22 lead with just under 10 minutes remaining. With the game hanging in the balance, both teams traded punts, and the tension in the stadium grew.
A Nail-Biting Finish: Ole Miss Claims Victory
With the clock winding down, Ole Miss took possession and went to work. Dart, who had been brilliant all night, orchestrated a methodical, patient drive that moved the Rebels into field-goal range. With just seconds left on the clock, Davis lined up for the 38-yard kick, and he nailed it as time expired, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
The final whistle blew with Ole Miss securing a dramatic 25-24 win, keeping their hopes for a solid bowl game alive while sending Arkansas back to the drawing board as they prepare for another tough SEC opponent next week.
Jaxson Dart Shines, Arkansas Struggles to Contain Rebels' Offense
The biggest takeaway from this game was the performance of Jaxson Dart, who passed for a career-high 420 yards. Dart showed why he is considered one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC, making timely throws, reading defenses well, and delivering when it mattered most. His connection with Prieskorn, Harris, and Anthony was on full display throughout the game, and despite some misfires in the second half, his leadership kept Ole Miss in the game.
For Arkansas, while Taylin Green showed flashes of promise, particularly with his touchdown pass to Armstrong and his composure in leading the offense, the Razorbacks struggled to slow down the Rebels’ passing attack. Their defense, often caught out of position, failed to contain Dart, and missed tackles led to long completions that kept Ole Miss’ offense in rhythm.
Turning Point
The defining moment of the game came late in the third quarter. After Arkansas took a 21-16 lead, Ole Miss quickly answered with a touchdown, but more importantly, they seized the momentum with a failed two-point conversion. The Razorbacks had a chance to extend their lead, but they were unable to do so, allowing the Rebels to stay close.
The field-goal battle in the fourth quarter seemed to be Arkansas’ chance to steal a win, but a lack of execution on both sides of the ball—especially on defense—allowed Ole Miss to stay within striking distance.
What's Next for Arkansas?
The loss drops Arkansas to 5-4 on the season, and with only three games remaining, the Razorbacks will need to dig deep to remain competitive in the SEC West. Next week, Arkansas faces another stiff challenge in Mississippi State, a team that has also been inconsistent but dangerous.
Coach Sam Pittman will have a lot to analyze from this game, particularly the Razorbacks' inability to slow down Dart and the Ole Miss passing attack. While Green’s play at quarterback continues to show promise, Arkansas will need to find more balance offensively and shore up their defense if they hope to make a bowl game this season.
Final Thoughts
In the end, the game was a microcosm of the Razorbacks’ season: flashes of brilliance and moments of frustration. With the loss, Arkansas’ path to a successful season now requires them to bounce back in a hurry. Ole Miss, meanwhile, walks away with a hard-fought victory and looks ahead to a tough stretch of SEC games as they continue to chase a bowl game.
As for this thrilling contest in Oxford, it was a reminder of the volatility and excitement of SEC football. And for both teams, the margin for error remains razor-thin as they head into the final stretch of the season.
The Good Ole Miss, and Bad Ole Miss both showed up this one.
The Good Ole Miss went 10/12 on 3rd downs, gave the RBs 22 carries, had 3 receivers go for over 100 yards, got 2 sacks on defense, came away with 2 picks, and hit a 39 yard FG.
The Bad Ole Miss got burned for yet another deep ball were a speedy receiver simply ran right past the coverage for an easy score, allowed the opposing offense to convert on 50% of their 3rd downs, gained only 56 yards rushing on offense, turned the ball over 3 times, dropped 5 passes, and missed a PAT and FG within 29 yards.
Ultimately the home crowd was able to give the Rebels a boost, and the defense forced Arkansas to punt with just over 2 minutes to play. Then Jaxson Dart directed a 72 yard drive highlighted by a pair of 3rd down, and a 4th down conversion to setup a 25 yard FG attempt as time expired.
GG Luis.
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