Jaxson Dart: Ole Miss' confidence never wavered in win over Tulane

Ole Miss outscored Tulane 27-3 in the second half to improve to 2-0 on the young season, but the first half was a different story. Still, Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart wasn’t going to let his team lose in their biggest non-conference matchup of the season.

The Green Wave would lead Ole Miss 17-10 at the halftime break, and Dart’s confidence seemed to motivate him teammates as they would go on to win by three possessions by the final whistle.

“I just knew that we were going to get things figured out [after halftime]. The run-game wasn’t working that well in the first half and our identity as a team is being able to run the ball,” Dart said postgame. “I knew that stuff was going to figure itself out and we always have really good second half adjustments.

“As a team, our confidence didn’t really waver. Our team last year would have lost and that says a lot about the culture we have and the work we’ve put in this offseason and guys really buying in.”

Dart finished the matchup completing 17-of-27 with two touchdowns and an interception. He also carried the ball 14 times for 41 yards, which came in just behind the Rebels’ leading rushing in Quinshon Judkins‘ 48. Ole Miss was limited to 89 total rushing yards on the night — so Dart put it on himself to carry the Rebels to victory.

“I just wanted to be the piece of our team that stays consistent throughout the game, not getting too high or too low,” Dart said. “There’s a lot of emotions going on throughout a game, and you just have to be that way especially as a quarterback. I just wanted to a guy that the team can rely on, especially in critical downs.”

“When it got to that point, I wanted the ball in my hands.”

Judkins was able to tie the game after the halftime break, but it was Dart’s 21-yard touchdown pass to TE Michael Trigg during the final five minutes of the game that would separate Ole Miss from Tulane by two possessions and ultimately seal the game. A fumble recovery for a touchdown by EDGE Jared Ivey was the icing on the cake, proving Dart right to remain confident in his group on both sides of the ball.

Next up for the Rebels is a home matchup against Georgia Tech. Kickoff for the Week 3 battle is set for 7:30 p.m. ET and will air live on the SEC Network.