Jaxson Dart has all-time terrible sequence in Ole Miss loss
Dec 30, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) prepares for a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart melted down in the final two minutes of Saturday’s loss to Florida, likely costing the Rebels a shot at the College Football Playoff.
Dart threw two interceptions in less than a minute of game time, plus one that was overturned on replay review, in the Rebels’ 24-17 loss to Florida at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fl. All of the interceptions came as Ole Miss was driving in an effort to tie the game, and all were pretty awful decisions on Dart’s part.
Dart’s first pick came with just over a minute and a half left, when he decided to take a shot at the end zone from the Florida 39. The pass appeared to be overthrown and wound up in triple coverage, and was a fairly easy interception for Gators safety Bryce Thornton.
FLORIDA PICKS OFF JAXSON DART WITH LESS THAN TWO MINUTES TO GO 😳 pic.twitter.com/6SN4aPsPvN
— ESPN (@espn) November 23, 2024
The Ole Miss defense stepped up and forced a three-and-out, with Ole Miss using all three of its timeouts to preserve clock. It meant Dart would have one more chance to salvage the game for Ole Miss, but he looked even more erratic after getting the ball back. After a woefully misthrown ball that was initially ruled an interception before being overturned on replay review, Dart and wide receiver Antwane Wells Jr. had some sort of miscommunication, which led to another easy pick.
PICKED OFF AGAIN AND FLORIDA WINS! pic.twitter.com/FSVxszTnh1
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) November 23, 2024
Dart had not thrown more than one interception in a game all season. On Saturday, he threw two backbreakers in a little over a minute.
Dart had been showing real improvement this year, and he had the swagger to match. It all fell apart on him Saturday, and the Rebels’ third loss of the season will almost certainly end their playoff hopes.