Ole Miss left Vaught-Hemingway Stadium as a defeated team for the first time this season. The Rebels went down 20-17 to Kentucky despite being a two-score favorite before the game. They did have a chance to take the game to overtime, but a 48-yard field goal misses from Caden Davis in the final minute.
Fans were not happy with several performances from Rebels players and asked, "Can this team make the playoffs?" It's only early, but a loss to Kentucky does deflate those dreams a little. But things need to be put right by next weekend.
Questionable play calls and secondary problems for Ole Miss
Ole Miss fans expressed their issues with the two significant areas after the game: the secondary and the offensive play calling. Four or more times, the Rebels were called for holding and pass interference calls when Kentucky was on 3rd and long.
Trey Amos is getting picked on right now
— Steven Willis (@TheStevenWillis) September 28, 2024
Ole Miss secondary is god awful
— Cooper Graham (@CooperGraham99) September 28, 2024
The Rebels' offensive play calling was also questioned. Numerous times, they had the chance to kill the game off after the defensive front kept putting them in positions to win the game in the fourth quarter.
On the final drive, quarterback Jaxson Dart had a chance to throw deep down the field when Kentucky was called offside. However, he held onto the ball too long and was hit hard, causing a fumble. Luckily, the penalty brought the turnover back.
Mark Stoops nearly beat Ole Miss his last trip to Oxford and exorcised some demons today. Kiffin’s offense sputtered like it does against Georgia and Alabama, but the Wildcats defense may just be pretty damn good
— Red Cup Rebellion (@RedCupRebellion) September 28, 2024
Time to check our self. Played like crap today. Regroup and bring it next week. Hate off to the defense. Played great but one play. Offense and offense line med a lot of work. Play calling is predicable
— Ole Miss United (@OleMissUnited) September 28, 2024
Kentucky controlled the majority of the game, holding possession for 40 minutes. Their go-ahead touchdown had a slice of luck about it, with a fumble recovered by tight end Josh Kattus, who dived in from the 2-yard line. However, Ole Miss only had themselves to blame, with the offense misfiring throughout the game.
Why did we not use Prieskorn and Bentley until the very end of the game? Make it make sense.
— Ashley (@CAshlee_OM90) September 28, 2024
Can Weis please call a play to get a 1st down
— Savannah Woods Flynn (@WoodsSavannah) September 28, 2024
Ole Miss have a week to get right before they head to play South Carolina, a team that beat Kentucky convincingly in Week 2. Can Lane Kiffin and the coaches get things right, as there can be no more slip-ups before the Georgia game?
Here’s the biggest shot you can take.
— T.J. (@TJOxley1) September 28, 2024
It’s an L, a bad one, and what do you do from here? You can’t let this happen again.