OXFORD, Miss — The Ole Miss Rebels have high hopes and expectations for the 2024 season, like making the college football playoffs for the very first time in program history. Their campaign to do just that, couldn't have gotten off to a better start on Saturday when they shutout Furman 76-0.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart led the show for the Rebels, throwing for 418 yards and 5 touchdowns with a completion rate of 81%. The QB1 also rushed for another 27 yards and 1 TD.
Dart's six total touchdowns on the day, mark a career-high for the quarterback and he scored all of them in the first half. Dart also becomes the first SEC QB since Joe Burrow in 2019 to have over 350 passing yards in a half.
Dual-sport athlete Austin Simmons came in as the backup QB and proved his arm isn't just good on the diamond. The Ole Miss pitcher threw for 111 yards and a TD in the second half during his first game in the Rebel uniform.
Tre Harris led all receivers with 179 yards and two touchdowns. TDs through the air also came from Cayden Lee, Caden Prieskorn, Juice Wells and Dae'Quan Wright.
Meanwhile Matt Jones led all rushers with 68 yards and 2 touchdowns. JJ Pegues also got in on some offensive action running the ball twice for 12 yards and a TD.
The Rebels produced 772 yards of total offense and held Furman to 172 yards.
Ole Miss' defense forced one interception, had 4 sacks and 16 tackles for loss.
The 76 points mark the biggest win of the Lane Kiffin era at Ole Miss.
The Rebels return to Vaught Hemmingway Stadium next Saturday when they host Middle Tennessee at 3.15 p.m.