Jaxson Dart apologizes for Ole Miss loss to Florida: ‘This one’s gonna hurt for a really long time’

Jaxson Dart and Ole Miss saw their College Football Playoff hopes come to an end on Saturday as they fell 24-17 at Florida.

Dart was 24-of-41 for 323 yards and 2 touchdowns, taking 14 carries for 71 yards. But he threw a critical interception with just over 90 seconds to go in regulation as his pass to the end zone was picked off by the Gators’ Bryce Thornton.

The Rebels got the ball back with less than a minute remaining, but Dart threw another interception to Thornton as the Gators completed the upset.

An emotional Dart was spotted on the sidelines by ESPN cameras as the Rebels, who came to the Swamp in the hunt for an at-large berth in the 12-team Playoff, will be left on the outside looking in. Dart addressed the media after the game.

“I think the only thing I can really say right now is sorry,” he said. “Sorry to my teammates. Sorry to my coaches. Sorry for the fans. Can’t lose these games. This one’s gonna hurt for a really long time.”

It’s a massive letdown for Ole Miss two weeks after arguably the biggest win of Lane Kiffin’s career, a 28-10 victory over Georgia in Oxford.

The Playoff is now out the window for the Rebels, who wrap up the regular season on Friday against Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl.

Jaxson Dart apologizes to Ole Miss fans, and a lot of other people. pic.twitter.com/rApZgPsUdu

— Andy Staples (@Andy_Staples) November 23, 2024

Sydney Hunte

Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.