Ole Miss vs. Penn State score: Rebels cruise past Nittany Lions in Peach Bowl to cap first 11-win season (2024)

Dart's statement game

The starting quarterback for the Rebels better get ready for the Heisman Trophy hype because it's coming his way this offseason. The junior had ice in his veins all afternoon, even in the first quarter when his offensive line showed very little interest in pass protection. He adjusted, got into the flow with some swing passes and got cooking hotter than a Chick-fil-A sandwich fresh off of the grill. What's scarier is that there were very few designed runs, and he was perfectly content handing off to Judkins on zone reads as his star running back consistently kept the offense on schedule.

His work with Prieskorn was phenomenal, but he showed poise in the pocket and delivered passes with authority to his tight end and star wide receiver Tre Harris, who had seven catches for 134 yards. Dart will get his two favorite pass-catchers from the Peach Bowl back with others in the mix, and he's in a system that is perfectly suited to make him a superstar.

Penn State needs help on offense

The inability of the Penn State offense to stretch the field has been a point of consternation all season, and Saturday's loss did nothing to change things heading into the offseason. Allar was off the mark downfield early and often during the first three quarters, which allowed the Ole Miss defense to key in on running backs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton. The duo had 63 of Penn State's 65 yards on the opening drive of the game but combined for just 38 yards for the rest of the game. That's a direct reflection on Allar's inability to take the top off of the defense, which allows safeties to creep up and make life difficult for the running backs.

This was Allar's first season as the Penn State starting quarterback, and it probably should be his last. It could be backup Beau Pribula, who completed his only passing attempt of the day -- a 48-yard touchdown to Singleton. Or Franklin could take a page out of Kiffin's book and get a signal-caller who can take advantage of the luxury of a stout running game and give his team a chance in the new-look Big Ten next year.

Kiffin has something brewing

Make no mistake, this was a statement for an Ole Miss program that has national championship hopes in the 12-team College Football Playoff format moving forward. The balance it showed off offensively, willingness to get creative with all of its offensive weapons and aggressiveness on defense made the 2023 edition of the Rebels one of the most excited teams in the country. The best is yet to come.

Can Ole Miss actually win the College Football Playoff in the near future? That remains to be seen. But there's no doubt that it should be a favorite to make it virtually every season with Kiffin at the helm.

Penn State makes it respectable(ish)

Quarterback Drew Allar found receiver Harrison Wallace III over the middle for a touchdown Beau Pribula hit Nicholas Singleton for a two-point conversion to cut Ole Miss' lead to 38-25 with 4:14 to play. It was the first time in the second half that the Nittany Lions have dented the scoreboard and at least make this game look respectable to those who are only looking at the box score.

The rout is on

Another drive, another Ole Miss score. Quarterback Jaxson Dart plunged in from two yards out midway through the fourth quarter to extend Ole Miss' lead to 38-17 over Penn State. That capped off a 10-play, 65-yard drive that gobbled up 4:26 of game time and ended any chance of Penn State making a comeback. The Rebels have scored on three of their last four possessions, while their defense has held the Nittany Lions scoreless since the middle of the second quarter.

Ole Miss blocks a field goal attempt

There aren't many plays in the playbook for fourth-and-17, so Penn State coach James Franklin had not choice other than calling for a 51-yard field goal attempt from Alex Felkins. It didn't go well. Felkins smashed a line drive right into the line of scrimmage in what feels like the end of the Nittany Lions' chances of a come back. The Ole Miss offense is founded on tempo, but don't be surprised if coach Lane Kiffin slows things down.

END 3Q: No. 11 Ole Miss 31, No. 10 Penn State 17

The Rebels got a 14-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jaxson Dart to running back Quinshon Judkins late in the third quarter to build a 14-point lead as it takes momentum generated in the third quarter into the final frame. The Rebels offense is dominating a Penn State defense that, while undermanned by opt-outs and transfers, is still wildly talented. Dart has 10 passing plays of 15 or more yards, while the Penn State offense as a whole only has 10 first downs. Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar has struggled all day; he's completed just seven of his 19 passes for 118 yards.

One of the big stories has been the connection Dart has developed with tight end Caden Prieskorn. The two have hooked up nine times for 131 yards and two touchdowns, as well as a 2-point conversion after the most recent touchdown. The 131 yards are a career high for Prieskorn, who has found himself wide open on wheel routes throughout the afternoon.

Jaxson Dart finds Dayton Wade to make it a 31-17 game

This game is on the verge of getting out of hand after Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart found receiver Dayton Wade wide open over the middle of the field for a 14-yard touchdown to cap off a 10-play, 82-yard drive. The two-point conversion was good, as Dart found Caden Prieskorn wide open. Just how dominant has Ole Miss been? It has 10 passing plays of 15 or more yards, while Penn State only has 10 first downs. Dart is 21-for-33 for 319 yards and two touchdown passes, while Nittany Lions starter Drew Allar is just 7-for-17 for 118 yards -- 75 of which were on an ill-advised tipped pass that found its way into the hands of Tyler Warren.

Caden Davis bombs a 53-yard field goal to put Ole Miss up 23-17

The Rebels appeared to have something going after Jaxson Dart hit Tre Harris for a 16-yard gain to get to midfield, which was immediately followed up by a 15-yard pass to Caden Prieskorn on a wheel route to get in field goal range. However, the Penn State defense tightened up, Dart missed an open receiver on third-and-14 and coach Lane Kiffin settled for three points. Kiffin's game plan clearly includes Harris on out routes and Preiskorn on wheel routes, as both routes have been prevalent near midfield throughout the afternoon.

HALFTIME: No. 11 Ole Miss 20, No. 10 Penn State 17

The Rebels entered the locker room on top of the Nittany Lions after a wild 30 minutes in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart is currently 15-for-24 for 243 yards and has thrown two touchdown passes to Caden Prieskorn. The Rebels tight end has found himself open early and often, as he has six catches for 96 yards.

It's been the exact opposite game plan for the Nittany Lions, as running backs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton have combined for 79 rushing yards against an Ole Miss defense that has struggled against the Nittany Lions offensive line.

Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar has struggled, as he has completed only five of his 14 passes and has tossed one touchdown and one interception. Backup Beau Pribula has had the biggest impact for coach James Franklin's squad. He came in for two plays late in the second quarter and found Singleton for a 48-yard touchdown to bring the Nittany Lions with a field goal shortly before the break.

A little trickery brings Penn State within three at 20-17

The Nittany Lions answered back after an Ole Miss touchdown drive when backup Beau Pribula hit running back Nicholas Singleton for 48-yard touchdown as Singleton leaked out of the backfield. Pribula took the snap as starter Drew Allar lined up as an ineligible wide receiver. Allar acted as if he was waiting for a screen pass when the ball was snapped, and the Rebels defense was clearly confused by what Penn State was running.

Dart to Prieskorn again to put the Rebs up 10

Jaxson Dart found tight end Caden Prieskorn for another touchdown -- this time on a beautiful 37-yarder in which Prieskorn leaked out to the right side on a wheel route and found himself wide open. Prieskorn already has six catches for 96 yards and two touchdowns on the afternoon, and it's clear that coach Lane Kiffin and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr have found a hole in the Nittany Lions defense to exploit. Penn State will have to make some halftime adjustments, but it could leave Dart with more options downfield.

Davis gives Ole Miss the lead, but Dart is running for his life

The Rebels' took the lead back after Davis connected on a 45-yard field goal to make it 13-10. However, this hasn't been easy for the Rebels. Far from it, actually, Quarterback Jaxson Dart has been forced out of the pocket and thrown with pressure in his face all afternoon long. He's 9-of-17 for 148 yards and the one touchdown, so the stat line doesn't necessarily reflect how much fire he has been under. With that said, Ole Miss might be able to hang in this game with field goals due to the offensive issues that have plagued Penn State all season.

Penn State ties it back up

Nittany Lions tight end Theo Johnson scored on a 2-yard pass from Drew Allar on fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line to tie it back up with 13:34 to play in the second quarter. However, the real story came on the final play of the first quarter when Allar threw across his body, had the pass tipped and found Tyler Warren, who rumbled down the field to get the Nittany Lions set up inside the 10-yard line. It was just the latest in a wild game that has included the "Philly Special" and two turnovers overturned upon review.

END Q1: No. 11 Ole Miss 10, No. 10 Penn State 3

The Rebels scored the first touchdown of the game with 30 seconds left in the first quarter after Jaxson Dart found tight end Caden Prieskorn in the flat for a 6-yard touchdown. That capped off a 10-play, 77-yard drive in which coach Lane Kiffin's offense cranked up the tempo on a Penn State defense that had been dominating the line of scrimmage for the majority of the first quarter. Quick passes and a trick-play on fourth-and-1 -- a 15-yard strike from Ayden Williams to Dart on the touchdown drive -- have helped the Rebels weather that storm.

Penn State drove down the field on its opening possession on the shoulders of running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, who amassed 63 of the 65 yards on the drive. Ole Miss' defense stood strong and forced a field goal, but it's clear that coach James Franklin is making a concerted effort to pound the rock. The Rebels answered back with a 56-yard drive with quarterback Dart doing most of the damage with his arm.

Ole Miss ties it up

Caden Davis hit a 36-yard field goal to tie it up, but the Ole Miss scoring drive featured a few questionable calls. Jaxson Dart appeared to have a touchdown pass on second down, but Penn State was called for offsides even though it appeared that all five Ole Miss offensive linemen stayed still. Two plays later, Dart threw up a prayer thinking he had a free play after multiple Penn State players moved early. A flag wasn't thrown and they had to settle for a field goal.

Penn State strikes first

The Nittany Lions cracked the scoreboard first when Alex Felkins nailed a 26-yard field goal to cap off a 10-play, 64-yard drive. From the looks of it, Penn State might not need to pass much against this Ole Miss defense. Running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen were running through holes the size of the Grand Canyon, as the duo racked up 62 of the 65 yards on the opening possession. It'll be interesting to see how the Rebels adjust, because they weren't ready for the physicality of the Nittany Lions.

Pick: Ole Miss 38, Penn State 35

Styles make fights, and Ole Miss will dictate the style of this one from the outset. Kiffin will have plenty of tricks up his sleeve, and the tempo that he utilizes to wear down opposing defenses will be too much for the Nittany Lions. Expect Dart light up Penn State in the second half and lead his team to an upset in the Peach Bowl.Pick: Ole Miss ML

Can the Penn State offensive line hold up?

Penn State's offensive line has been rock solid virtually all season, giving up only 3.83 tackles for loss per game (10th nationally) and helping the Nittany Lions rack up 186.67 yards per game on the ground. It'll have to deal with an Ole Miss defensive front that is predicated on wreaking havoc in the backfield of opponents.

"Yeah, we've been saying it all bowl prep that they're a very multiple team, play a lot of even and odd fronts," Penn State quarterbackDrew Allarsaid. "So we're going to have to be tight on communication up front, whether it's run blocking schemes or pass protection."

The last thing that Penn State needs is Allar running for his life. He ranks among the worst quarterbacks in the country in completion percentage while pressured (35.9%) in his first year as the starter.

Will the Nittany Lions finally stretch the field?

Speaking of Allar, the Nittany Lions signal-caller has yet to truly unleash the deep ball. He is averaging just 6.7 yards per passing attempt and only 4.2 yards per attempt against AP Top 25 opponents. Simply put, in big games, Franklin hasn't taken the training wheels off.

Penn State did let him loose against Michigan State in the regular-season finale, however, when he averaged 11.2 yards per attempt in the 42-0 win over the Spartans. Did that set the tone for the future? Franklin fired offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich in November, and a big day from Allar could signal what Penn State will be in 2024.

Jaxson Dart's explosiveness

The Rebels signal-caller is choosing to return to Oxford next season instead of jumping to the NFL or the transfer portal, and Saturday's game can put him in the early conversation for the 2024 Heisman Trophy. He obviously has the arm strength and weapons outside to do damage downfield, but he has also been the focal point of the ground game at times this season. He's carried the ball at least 10 times in five of the Rebels' 12 games this season, and Kiffin is known for getting wild with his play-calling with the world watching.

"Obviously you look at his numbers," Franklin said of Dart. "He put up really good numbers in the passing game in terms of yards per attempt, in terms of completion percentage, touchdown to interception ratio. He's also a guy that can beat you with his mind and decision-making, with his arm and accuracy, but then also with his feet. They're a challenging offense. You take his athleticism. You take their tempo. They're one of the better offenses that we've seen this year. So it's going to be a challenge. Lane's always done a really good job, specifically on that side of the ball, so it will be a challenge."

Penn State's defense has been as consistent as the sunrise, but this is a massive challenge for a unit that will be without star defensive linemanChop Robinson