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Lane Kiffin: Ole Miss needs to 'restart' in second half vs. ULM

Barkley-Truaxby:Barkley Truax•11/18/23•

BarkleyTruax

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Oct 21, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin talks to a game official during the second quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Ole Miss is off to an uncharacteristic start on Saturday against ULM, leading the Warhawks 7-3 at halftime inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin is choosing to treat the second half like a brand new game when he comes back out of the tunnel.

“We’ve got to restart, obviously,” Kiffin told sideline reporter Alyssa Lang at halftime. “We came out really flat on offense and had some penalties and we were playing well on defense ’till the last drive there. So, we’ve got a lot of work to do here and come out and restart this thing.”

The Ole Miss offensive line has allowed three sacks, six tackles for loss — and aside from a couple of lucky breaks in the Rebels’ favor — should have turned into a turnover or two over that stretch. Aside from a 14-yard touchdown run from Ulysses Bentley IV in the first quarter, nothing has gone the Rebels’ way since.

“I think there are a lot of multiple pressures, hit some runs, and then we got ourselves into negative plays with some penalties and the sack,” Kiffin said of ULM’s defensive unit.

Still, quarterback Jaxson Dart has still completed 15 of 21 passing attempts for 122 yards, and running back Quinshon Judkins has racked up 10 carries for 42 yards on the afternoon as well.

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The Rebels will be kicking off to ULM to begin the second half. A touchdown would put the Rebels behind in the second half — so a stop is mandatory for Ole Miss coming out of the break. If not, it’s up to Dart, Judkins and the offense.

Catch the remainder of the game live on the SEC Network.

Jaxson Dart will return for his senior year

As a junior, Jaxson Dart could declare for the NFL Draft if he chooses to do so. He’s in the midst of a big second year at Ole Miss after transferring from USC, and he could go pro if he wants.

According to Lane Kiffin, though, Dart is planning to run it back.

“I guess I can kind of speak for him, he’s said he’s coming back,” Kiffin said on Reb Talk Thursday night. “So we’re planning on him being back next year and getting better.”

Through 10 games this year, Dart is already closing in on last season’s numbers, totaling 2,579 yards and 16 touchdowns to help Ole Miss to an 8-2 record. He also cut down on his interceptions as that number fell from 11 last year to five so far this year and came in at No. 14 on On3’s Top 25 QB Rankings entering Week 12.

Read more here.