Ole Miss Bowl Game In 2024 the Ole Miss Rebels enjoyed an outstanding football season. Their notable victory in the 2025 Gator Bowl was defeating Duke 52–20.
This thrilling win happened at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, on January 2, 2025. The game had a lot of big plays, great teamwork, and good play from important players. It was a message, not just a triumph for the people.
It showed the team how much they’ve grown under Lane Kiffin’s guide. It was a great way for the seniors to say goodbye to college sports.
A moment in history for Ole Miss
The Ole Miss football team is very happy with their Gator Bowl win. The Rebels lost their tenth game of the season.This is the second year in a row that they have won 10 games. Ole Miss hasn’t had that happen since 1959–1960, which is more than 60 years ago!
Coach Lane Kiffin has given the team new life and strong guidance. Since he took over, the Rebels are once again a team that people should pay attention to. Coach Kiffin said after the game, “This team has worked hard all season.” “This win shows how much we’ve grown.”
Jaxson Dart Impresses as Gator Bowl Most Valuable Player
Jaxson Dart, the senior quarterback for Ole Miss, was one of the shining stars of the night. At the conclusion of his collegiate career, Dart performed well. He passed for 404 yards and four scores. His cool and smart moves helped the team win the whole thing.
It was a good choice to name Dart the Gator Bowl MVP. Dart said, “I just wanted to finish strong for my team.” “This game gave us a chance to show what we’re made of after a tough year.” The victory was heavily influenced by his relationship with wide receiver Jordan Watkins.
Especially a long touchdown pass of 69 yards late in the game that got everyone dancing.
The Big Game for Jordan Watkins
Junior wide receiver Jordan Watkins also had a great night. He caught 7 passes, gained 180 yards, and scored 2 scores. For Ole Miss, Watkins consistently made a major contribution. Duke’s defenders had a hard time stopping him because he was fast, focused, and could make tough plays.
Watkins said, “We’ve worked on these plays all season.” “All I did was trust Dart and play when the chance arose.”
It was clear in this game that Watkins and Dart have a strong bond. The way they got along gave Ole Miss a big advantage.
Ulysses Bentley IV directs the running program.
It was great when Ole Miss could pass the ball, but Ulysses Bentley IV made them strong on the ground. The running back ultimately scored two touchdowns and rushed for seventy yards.
He was able to break tackles and keep going forward, which helped Ole Miss’s offense stay balanced. The Rebels ran the ball well, which kept the clock running and made the Duke defense work hard every down.
The defense also makes big plays.
The defense did a great job as well. A defender named Isaiah Hamilton made one of the most important plays when he returned an interception 50 yards for a score.
Ole Miss gained even more speed after that play early in the third quarter. Duke could only gain 44 yards on the ground the whole game thanks to the Rebels’ defense. They also stopped important plays and sacked the quarterback all night.
Whole-Team Work
Overall, Ole Miss had more yards than Duke, with 589 to Duke’s 280. The Rebels had rushing yards of 151 and passing yards of 438. Duke, on the other hand, had a hard time getting anything going.
It was Henry Belin IV who threw for 236 yards, but most of it came after the game was already over.
Ole Miss was strong on both sides of the ball and won the game from the beginning to the end.
Changes Made by Coach Lane Kiffin
Ole Miss is now a winning team again thanks to Coach Lane Kiffin. That’s clear from this Gator Bowl win. Even when he was angry, like when he had a small argument with Jaxson Dart near the end, Kiffin kept the team focused and ready.
Then, he told Dart how great of a leader he was, not just in the bowl game but all season.
“Dart is a rival.” He said, “That’s what you want in a quarterback.” “He always gave us everything he had, even when we didn’t agree.”
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Ole Miss Football
With this big win, Ole Miss can now look ahead to what’s to come. Some important players, like Dart and Watkins, are leaving the team, but a lot of young players are coming back.
Fans have cause to believe Ole Miss will continue to improve and maybe battle soon for a College Football Playoffs position. The Rebels are getting more high school players interested in joining because of how well the team is doing.
Fans Celebration of the Win
There were a lot of Ole Miss fans at the Gator Bowl, and they had a lot to cheer about. “Hotty Toddy” cheers could be heard all over the field after the game was over. Fans from all over the country shared clips, pictures, and happy posts on social media. This Gator Bowl wasn’t just a win; it was a time for everyone at Ole Miss to be proud.
Last Thoughts
Everyone will remember the 2025 Ole Miss Bowl Game as one of the most exciting and important wins in school history. The Rebels proved to everyone that they are a real football team with great games from Jaxson Dart, Jordan Watkins, Ulysses Bentley IV, and a strong defense.
With the win, they now have 10 wins on the season. This is the start of what could be a great moment for Ole Miss football. SEO Find out how Ole Miss beat Duke 52–20 in the 2025 Gator Bowl to win the most important game. Find out about the best plays by each player and what it all means for the future of the Rebels.
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