Jaxson Dart calls end of Ole Miss' season 'really frustrating'

Frustration was justified for Ole Miss’ personnel following their 42-25 loss in the Texas Bowl. The defeat to Texas Tech was the Rebel’s fifth in their last six games after they started 7-0. After the game, few players expressed their irritation more than sophomore QB Jaxson Dart.

After another up-and-down performance from the young quarterback, he said it’s as discouraging as it is because of the work he and his teammates put in. Doing all that and then costing his team a game like last night’s is something that ate him up afterward.

“It’s really frustrating,” said Dart. “I think, for me, you put a lot of work in to prepare for games like this each and every week. And then when you make costly mistakes? And you don’t play at the standard you can play at to help your team win a game? That’s really frustrating.”

Dart finished his first season as the Rebel’s QB1 with a 25/41 performance in Houston for 361 yards and two touchdowns. However, it also came with three interceptions and a lost fumble.

After that sort of stat line, all Dart says he can do is use it as motivation for 2023. He knows who he is as a player and a person. Now he just wants to live up to that by growing this offseason.

“I’m just gonna take it and fuel my fire and be better next year,” Dart said. “I know my potential, I know what I can do. So I’m just going to take my next step in my growth and get ready for whatever’s next.”

Dart’s first season in Oxford was as much of a roller coaster as his team’s record turned out to be in the end. That’s why, after ending 2022 with this taste in his mouth, he and his teammates will want to be ready to avenge this campaign after an offseason of development.