GAINESVILLE, Fla. Florida pulled off a major upset on Saturday, defeating No. 9 Mississippi 24-17 and effectively ending the Rebels' hopes of reaching the College Football Playoff. DJ Lagway threw two touchdown passes, and Montrell Johnson ran for 127 yards and a touchdown, as the Gators 6-5, 4-4 SEC won back-to-back games against ranked teams for the first time since 2008.
Head coach Billy Napier, who is set to return for his fourth season in 2025, expressed confidence in the team's future. We're just getting started, he said, emphasizing that the victory was part of a larger journey to rebuild the program.
Ole Miss 8-3, 4-3 SEC, which entered the game ranked No. 9 and was a 10-point favorite, fell to Florida for the first time in four games. The loss dashed the Rebels' playoff hopes, as they had failed to convert on three trips inside the red zone and were plagued by dropped passes. Coach Lane Kiffin lamented the missed opportunities, calling the errors very unusual.
Despite struggling in the red zone, Ole Miss had a chance to rally late in the game. However, quarterback Jaxson Dart threw two interceptions on the Rebels' final drives, both picked off by Floridas Bryce Thornton. The second interception, with just 17 seconds remaining, sealed the victory for the Gators and led to an ecstatic celebration from Florida's defense.
Dart finished the game with 323 yards and two touchdowns on 24-of-41 passing, but the two interceptions and four sacks hindered Ole Miss' chances. Defensive tackle Cam Jackson praised the team's performance, saying, "We had a chip on our shoulder for sure."
The Rebels' inability to capitalize on critical situations, including two failed fourth-down attempts by defensive tackle J.J. Pegues inside Floridas 20-yard line and a missed 34-yard field goal by Caden Davis, ultimately contributed to their downfall.
