Gators take bite out of Rebels’ playoff hopes 

No. 9 Ole Miss had a spot in the College Football Playoff in its sights. But the Florida Gators and a trip to The Swamp were standing in its way.

And in the end, the orange and blue finished off the Rebels on Saturday — and possibly any playoffs hopes they had.

Final: Florida 24, Ole Miss 17.

Florida improved to 6-5 overall and 4-4 in the SEC. The Gators now are bowl eligible. Ole Miss falls to 8-3, 4-3 in the SEC.

Florida quarterback DJ Lagway was 10 of 17 for 180 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. Meanwhile, Gators safety Bryce Thornton had two interceptions.

Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart passed for 323 yards and two touchdowns, but his picks — both in the fourth quarter — were costly. Meanwhile, the Rebs were only 3 of 14 on third down.

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How to watch the Florida Gators vs the Ole Miss Rebels

Date: Saturday, Nov. 23
Time: Noon, ET
Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548), Gainesville, Florida
TV: ABC — Channel (Cox): 7 / 1007 [HD] — Channel (DirecTV): 8 [HD]
Stream: ABC, fuboTV
Radio: SiriusXM Channel: 106 / 190
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FOURTH QUARTER

-Florida safety Bryce Thornton just picked off Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart — again — and it’s over!

-Ole Miss just used timeout No. 3 with 1:10 left.

-Ole Miss just used timeout No. 2 with 1:17 left.

-Ole Miss just used timeout No. 1 with 1:25 left. Florida facing 2nd-and-7.

-Florida safety Bryce Thornton just picked off Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart in the end zone with 1:32 left in the game. Ole Miss has three timeouts remaining.

-The Gators just picked up a couple first downs, but had to punt and Ole Miss takes over at its 22 with 3:58.

–Montrell Johnson just scored on a 9-yard keeper and Florida is back in front after a terrific four-play, 67-yard drive. SCORE: Florida 24-17, 7:40

-Big stop for the Gators as Caleb Banks tackles Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart behind the line of scrimmage on third down. Huge three-and-out for Florida. Ole Miss punted it 54 yards and Florida takes over at the Gators’ 33.

-Florida is forced to punt after a six-play, 21-yard drive. Ole Miss takes over at the 9. The Gators offense has done nothing this half.

THIRD QUARTER

-The Florida defense held again, but Ole Miss gets a 42-yard game-tying field goal fromCaden Davis after a 27-yard drive. SCORE: 17-17, 0:45

-Ole Miss forced a quick three-and-out and takes over at its 48 after a punt. The Gators have negative yardage so far this half.

-A long Ole Miss drive ends at the Florida 10 with a turnover on downs as the Gators stop JJ Pegues on 4th-and-1. Huge stop. It was a 65-yard drive that took 5:14 off the clock. Gators take over.

–Trey Smack just booted a 53-yard field goal and the Gators are back in front. SCORE: Florida 17-14, 10:57

-Ole Miss forced a quick punt to start the third quarter but then fumbles the kick and the Gators take over at the Rebels’ 37. Huge momentum shift.

SECOND QUARTER

-Ole Miss punts and Florida takes over at the Gators’ 14 with 1:05 left.

-Florida is forced to punt. Ole Miss takes over at the 20 with 2:14 left in the half.

-Ole Miss comes up empty after a 58-yard drive when a Caden Davis 34-yard field goal is wife left.

-The Gators now have 181 yards.

-Florida is tied again with the Rebs are a solid four-play, 75-yard drive. The points came on a 25-yard completion from DJ Lagway to Jadan Baugh. SCORE: 14-14, 6:52

-The Rebs quickly made Florida pay for the turnover. After a conversion on 4th-and-2, Ole Miss takes the lead on a 22-yard touchdown pass from Jaxson Dart to Cayden Lee. Five-play, 55-yard drive. SCORE: Ole Miss 14-7, 9:05

-Florida QB DJ Lagway is picked after his pass goes through the hands of Gators receiver Chimere Dike. John Saunders came jump with it for the Rebs.

-Ole Miss answers with a 79-yard, seven-play drive and scores when Jaxson Dart hits receiver Tre Harris over the top of the Florida defense for a 43-yard score. SCORE: 7-7, 12:01

-Ole Miss allows 79.9 rushing yards a game. Florida already has 47.

-Florida strikes first on the first play of the second quarter when quarterback DJ Lagway finds Elijhah Badger in the corner of the end zone for an 8-yard score on 3rd-and-8. The drive covered 89 yards on 11 plays. SCORE: Florida 7-0, 14:56

FIRST QUARTER

-Ole Miss drove deep into Florida territory, but the Gators came up with a big stop on 4th-and-1 at the 11 and will get the ball. The drive covered 69 yards. Multiple Florida players contributed to the tackle of JJ Pegues.

-Like Ole Miss before it, Florida only gets one first down on its opening drive and is forced to punt.

-Ole Miss gets one first down and only 12 total yards on its first series. The Gators recorded a sack of Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart on third down. After a punt, Florida takes over at its own 35.