Ole Miss bounces back from Kentucky loss, tops South Carolina

Ole Miss needed a response after a disappointing loss to Kentucky in Week 5. It got just that with a 27-3 win over South Carolina on Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia.

The Rebels took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter after a short Henry Parrish run capped a quick 5-play drive that lasted just over a minute and a half. That lead stretched to 14-0 after JJ Pegues rumbled into the end zone with six minutes remaining in the frame.

After the two teams exchanged field goals, Pegues added another score right before the half, the big man’s 4th of the season. It was 24-3 at the break.

The Rebels added a field goal in the second half for the only other scoring the rest of the way, but the Gamecocks weren’t able to chip away at the lead. South Carolina’s Alex Herrera missed a 38-yard field goal just under 6 minutes into the third quarter, and despite forcing a fumble on the Rebels’ ensuing drive, the Gamecocks couldn’t turn it into points.

Later, with South Carolina deep in Ole Miss territory early in the 4th, LaNorris Sellers threw an interception into the end zone. They turned it over on downs on their next possession as Sellers was sacked at the Rebels 24.

Jaxson Dart had a decent performance throwing the ball — 14-of-27 for 285 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions — but had 8 carries for 44 yards. Juice Wells had 3 catches for 97 yards to lead all receivers in his return to Columbia. Parrish finished with 21 carries for 81 yards, including his first-quarter score.

For the Gamecocks, Sellers was 20-of-32 for 162 yards. He was sacked 6 times as the Rebels defense held South Carolian to 313 yards.

Ole Miss visits LSU next. South Carolina travels to Alabama.