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Ole Miss hosts Georgia Tech in Oxford Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
The 17th-ranked Rebels are looking to build on their 2-0 record, but will have to deal with a 1-1 Yellow Jackets team that has impressed to start the season.
Rebels Roll
Lane Kiffin’s team started the 2023 season off with an explosive 73-7 win over a less-equipped Mercer team. Week two’s 37-20 final score was not as dominant, though a win nonetheless over Tulane. Kiffin knows that his team’s performance was not up to his standard.
Junior quarterback Jaxson Dart had a decent day, throwing for 267 yard, 2 touchdowns and an interception.
The running game, however, struggled heavily. Sophomore running back Quinshon Judkins led the team in rushing with 48 yards on 18 carries. As a team, the Rebels ran for only 89 yards. Kiffin said improvement has to be made in that area of the game in order for this team to reach the goals it’s set for itself.
Jackets Showing Fight
The Yellow Jackets didn’t enter the season as a juggernaut, but have proven to be a worthy opponent two weeks in. After playing Louisville tight in a 39-34 loss, Brent Key’s group pummeled South Carolina State 48-13.
Sophomore quarterback Haynes King has looked good in both showings, including an efficient 290 yards and four touchdowns against SC State.
With all that, the team knows that Ole Miss is a step up from their previous opponents. Key’s in-particular knows they’ll have to stop the Rebels’ running attack, even though it wasn’t effective previously.
“No. 4 is one of if not the best running back in the country. They are going to get him loose.”#GaTech head coach Brent Key has a lot of respect for Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins… https://t.co/xy9B3Q04Wg
— AllYellowJackets (@AllYellowJacket) September 12, 2023
Different Directions
Though leaving Vaught Hemingway Stadium is the goal for both teams, it would mean different things for each one.
Ole Miss, a ranked team, would set the stage for a big-time matchup against Alabama with possible SEC implications.
For Georgia Tech, it would mark a movement in a positive direction for a school that has had little success in its recent history.
