Jaxson Dart delivered one final win in his home career for Ole Miss during Friday’s Egg Bowl. The Rebels, sluggish on offense for much of the game, came away with the 26-14 win over Mississippi State.

Dart was crucial in that game, even as he finished with well below 200 yards through the air. The crucial moment in the fourth quarter came when Dart dropped a pinpoint pass over the top of the defense to Caden Prieskorn to give Ole Miss a 2-touchdown lead.

Immediately after the win, Dart was seen visibly emotional during an embrace with head coach Lane Kiffin. Asked about that moment on the field, Dart said he was simply telling Kiffin that he loved him while expressing an appreciation for Ole Miss.

“It’s not always easy to transfer and go across the country and leave your family. This place has taken me in, taken my family in, and I just love it so much,” said Dart. “It’s a place that’s near and dear to my heart, and Coach Kiffin was my biggest influence and somebody that helped guide me through this process, so I just told him I love him.”

As for the final game at home, Dart said he was happy to go out with one more win, but he also admitted he hopes the Rebels get a shot at the College Football Playoff. With 3 losses, Ole Miss will have to hope for some upsets around the country and wild results across the conference championship games to get back in the bracket.

“It means a lot going out with a win. This season, I don’t know what to expect going forward. If they let us in, we’re going to make a run at it for sure. I’m just grateful that we were able to cap it off the right way for our seniors,” Dart explained. “These games are ugly and they’re a lot of fun to play in. It’s a great feeling beating State, that’s for sure.”

Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.