11-win Ole Miss ‘just getting going,’ Kiffin states
Dec 30, 2023, 06:05 PM ET ATLANTA– Lane Kiffin desires Ole Miss’ dominant win over Penn State to be seen as just the start of more success to come for his Rebels.Jaxson Dart passed for 379 lawns and 3 goals, consisting of two to tight end Caden Prieskorn, and ran for a score as No. 11 Ole Miss bullied No. 10 Penn State’s happy defense 38-25 in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Saturday.”I actually do think we’re just getting
begun,” Kiffin stated.”I believe that we’re doing something. We’re on our way to something actually special.” Editor’s Picks
Ole Miss (11-2) acquired 540 yards versus Penn State (10-3), which led the nation with its average of 223 backyards permitted. It was the most lawns and points permitted by the Nittany Lions this season.
“A lot of moving parts, staff and players, to have the kind of success that we wished to have today,” said Penn State coach James Franklin, describing the mix of players opting out to get ready for the NFL draft and current changes to his offensive and protective coordinators.The success offered Kiffin
‘s Rebels their first 11-win season.Prieskorn had 10 receptions for 136 backyards.
He included a 2-point conversion catch to his goal receptions of 6 and 37 yards.The dominant efficiency by Prieskorn was a surprise.
Prieskorn had 20 catches, including 2 for goals, for 313 yards in the regular season.Dart checked out the injury tent after the Rebels’ first belongings and had his left ankle taped on the sideline. He remained in the game and included a 2-yard scoring run for a 38-17 lead in the fourth quarter. Ole Miss shouted”S-E-C! S-E-C!”as it commemorated the conference’s win in the match against the Big Ten’s Nittany Lions.Each team utilized tight ends in prominent functions. Prieskorn’s 6-yard touchdown catch offered Ole Miss a 10-3 lead late in the very first quarter. Penn State pulled even on Drew Allar’s 2-yard pass to tight end Theo Johnson on a fourth-down play early in the second.Prieskorn’s second scoring catch, the 37-yarder, provided Ole Miss a 20-10 lead. The Penn State defense bought in on Dart’s fake pitch to running back Quinshon Judkins, leaving Prieskorn open on the best sideline.Two turnovers for Allar shared time at quarterback with Beau Pribula, who tossed a 48-yard goal pass to Nicholas Singleton late in
the first half.Allar tossed an interception in the second quarter and lost a fumble when sacked in the 4th. He completed 19 of 39 passes for 295 backyards and 2 touchdowns.Prieskorn’s pledge Kiffin said he
had to examine after the game to ensure a few of his players, consisting of Prieskorn, who have assured to return next season, would stick with their promise after their success in the bowl game.The coach joked that Prieskorn consented to return for his last year of eligibility in 2024 just if he would be included in the Peach Bowl.”He stated’Coach, I’ll come back, however you have actually got to make certain I have actually got 10 catches in the Peach Bowl,
‘”Kiffin said with a smile.Third-quarter dominance The Rebels led 20-17 at halftime and after that scored the first 18 points after halftime. Judkins provided balance to the offense in the
2nd half, completing with 34 brings for 106 backyards and including a 14-yard goal catch in the third quarter.Before the championship game, the Nittany Lions had actually outscored
challengers 115-3 in the third quarter.Missing beginners Each group had top defensive ends, Cedric Johnson for Ole Miss and Chop Robinson for Penn State, pull out to prepare for the draft. The Nittany Lions likewise were missing their normal starting cornerbacks, Johnny Dixon and Kalen King.
“When you watch their game plan, they went after some guys that had not played a lot for us this year, “Franklin said.Said Kiffin:”They pay us a great deal of cash as coaches, so I would think we would not be actually excellent coaches if we didn’t understand that and clearly enter and attack where they’re missing out on guys. “The takeaway Ole Miss: The Rebels, who were battered front in their losses to Alabama and Georgia in the routine season, appeared to have similar issues with Penn State’s offensive line early in the game. The Ole Miss defense gave up 85 hurrying lawns in the very first quarter before gaining strength.Penn State: The Nittany Lions gave up more than their average of 223 yards permitted by the midpoint of the second
quarter. Ole Miss had 340 yards by halftime as Penn State struggled to safeguard Prieskorn and pass receiver Tre Harris, who had seven catches for 134 yards.Up next Ole Miss: The Rebels, reinforced by a top-ranked transfer website class, open their 2024 season in the house versus Furman on Aug. 31. Penn State: The Nittany Lions open their 2024 season at West Virginia on Aug. 31.