Rebs’ CFP hopes remain alive, #10 Ole Miss tops A&M 38-35 in thriller

Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss Rebels still have College Football Playoff hopes. A strong start that became a back-and-forth affair the rest of the way ended with a 38-35 victory over Jimbo Fisher and the Aggies.

The offense played the hits as quarterback Jaxson Dart threw for 387 yards and two touchdowns, while Quinshon Judkins had 102 rushing yards and found the end zone three times.

No. 10 Ole Miss saw an early 14-0 lead evaporate against Texas A&M. Ulysses Bentley had a rushing touchdown called back due to a penalty that would have given the Rebels a 21-0 advantage. Instead, as Ole Miss was attempting a field goal to go up 17-0, Shemar Turner made a sensational block and Jacoby Matthews returned it 75 yards for a touchdown. The Rebs went from potentially being up 17-0 to the Aggies making it a 14-7 game. From that moment on, the game was always in reach for Texas A&M and quarterback Max Johnson.

Every time Ole Miss scored after that, the Aggies responded. They even took their first and only lead 35-31 with 4:34 to go. Quinshon Judkins’ third touchdown of the game gave the Rebels the lead back (and ultimately the win).  Texas A&M drove down the field in the final minute and Randy Bond attempted a field goal from 47 yards out as time expired, but it was blocked by Zxavian Harris.

No. 10 Ole Miss will visit No. 2 Georgia next Saturday in Athens.