For Ole Miss’ defenders, Georgia rematch is ‘a personal thing’

OXFORD – Ole Miss’ lone blemish in the 2025 season still doesn’t sit quite right. But as fate would have it, the Rebels will get their chance at redemption.

The No. 6 Rebels (12-1) will face No. 3 Georgia (12-1) in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1 at 7 p.m. It is a rematch of their Oct. 18 contest in Athens, Georgia, a game the Bulldogs won 43-35. Ole Miss led the game by nine heading into the fourth quarter but was outscored 17-0 over the final 15 minutes. After racking up 338 yards over the first three quarters, Ole Miss managed just 13 total yards on 11 plays in the fourth. The Bulldogs totaled 143 yards in the game’s final quarter and held the ball for more than 13 minutes.

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The Rebels scored touchdowns on each of their first five drives in the game but punted twice and turned the ball over on downs in their three fourth-quarter drives. Georgia did not punt once in the game and scored on every drive minus the game’s final one. The Bulldogs finished with 510 yards of offense – including 221 yards on the ground – and quarterback Gunner Stockton threw for 289 yards and four touchdowns and scored a rushing touchdown.

Moments after defeating Tulane 41-10 in their College Football Playoff debut, Rebels defenders already had their eyes on the challenge awaiting New Year’s Day in New Orleans.

“Me and TJ Dottery, I swear we were just literally just talking about that, like, 30 minutes ago,” sophomore defensive tackle Will Echoles said postgame. “So, man, it’s a personal thing now. … We know we have to go play our best, like I said, and go be dominant like we know we can.”

In six games since their lone loss of the season, the Rebels have held opponents to an average of 313.7 yards and 15.5 points per game. Georgia, the SEC champion that had a first-round bye in the CFP, is averaging just under 29.8 points per game and 381.8 yards per game in six games since last facing the Rebels.

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Dottery, who leads Ole Miss with 83 tackles, is looking forward to another chance at Georgia.

“It means a lot to get another shot at that game,” Dottery said. “Honestly, right after the game when we lost, I kind of figured we were going to have another shot at them, not knowing when. But what better opportunity than now?”