OXFORD, Miss. (WCJB) – The Florida Gators and No. 7 Ole Miss Rebels were neck and neck for most of the game Saturday night at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, but in the end, it was the Rebels coming out on top 34-24.
The win for Ole Miss (10-1, 9-1 SEC) marks its first victory over Florida (3-7, 2-5 SEC) since 2008 and first under Lane Kiffin.
The Gators continue to seek its first win since firing Billy Napier.
The UF loss also makes them ineligible for a bowl game.
Florida quarterback DJ Lagway was 16 of 31 (52%) passing for 218 yards and a touchdown. Lagway also rushed for a touchdown but threw his 13th interception of the season in a crucial spot.
Ole Miss signal caller Trindad Chambliss was 26 of 35 (74%) passing for 301 yards and a touchdown. He also threw an interception.
Although the star of the game was undoubtedly Rebels running back Kewan Lacy.
Lacy rushed for 224 yards on 31 attempts, averaging 7.2 yards per carry, and scored three times as Florida had no answer for him all night.
The Rebels struck first with a Lacy three-yard rushing touchdown after the Gators had a three-and-out on the opening drive of the game.
Ole Miss’ Lucas Carneiro made a 27-yard field goal, making the game 10-0.
Early, Florida showed fight.
With 1:13 left in the first quarter, Lagway rushed for a five-yard touchdown, the first rushing touchdown of his collegiate career.
On the next play from scrimmage, freshman edge Jayden Woods intercepted Chambliss, setting the Gators up in excellent field position as the first quarter came to a close.
Jadan Baugh rushed for a two-yard touchdown on the first play of the second quarter to put the Gators ahead.
Chambliss answered back with a 43-yard rushing touchdown as the Rebels regained the lead 17-14.
Just a couple of plays later, Lagway threw a 57-yard touchdown to J. Michael Sturdivant.
Ole Miss, once again, quickly answered after driving down the field. This time, though just another field goal as UF still led by one, 21-20, with under two minutes to go in the first half.
Florida kicker Trey Smack III nailed a 38-yard field goal to add to the Gators’ lead, 24-20, just before time expired in the half.
The second half appeared more quiet early on.
A fourth-down goal-line stand from the Gators’ defense around halfway through the third quarter amplified momentum.
In the last play of the third quarter, Lacy rushed for 59 yards up the middle, placing Ole Miss on the 1-yard line with a great opportunity to take the lead.
Florida couldn’t make another goal-line stop. The Rebels took the lead on Lacy’s second touchdown of the game.
The Gators were in Ole Miss territory, but an interception spoiled what looked to be a game-tying drive.
The Florida defense once again made a big stop with the Rebels threatening, keeping the game within a score, 27-24.
The offense couldn’t do its part, however, as it turned the ball over on downs on its own 4-yard line.
Ole Miss got the ball back and immediately scored, in hat-trick fashion for Lacy.
The score put the final nail in the coffin for the Gators.
Florida returns to the Swamp next Saturday for the first time since beating Mississippi State Oct. 18 in its last game under Billy Napier, when it hosts the No. 23 Tennessee Volunteers (7-3, 3-3 SEC).
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