College Sports

No. 14 Mississippi beats mistake-prone No. 7 Kentucky 22-19

Posted October 01, 2022 7:00 am

By CHRIS BURROWS

Mississippi safety AJ Finley (21) and linebacker Austin Keys (11) force a fumble from Kentucky quarterback Will Levis (7) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. Mississippi won 22-19. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning) The Associated Press

OXFORD, Miss. (AP) - Lane Kiffin changed his opinion of his defense after No. 14 Mississippi forced two turnovers in the final three minutes to preserve a 22-19 win over No. 7 Kentucky on Saturday.

'Our guys really showed up, especially in the fourth quarter, getting those two turnovers to win it,' Kiffin said. 'I had told them at halftime, I didn't think they were very good. At the end, our team found a way to come through.'

Even better, Austin Keys and Jared Ivey each created those takeaways inside the red zone. They forced Wildcats quarterback Will Levis to fumble on consecutive possessions with AJ Finley and Tavius Robinson recovering each, respectively.

Both plays stopped potential game-winning drives inside the 20 to preserve the victory for the Rebels (5-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference).

Jonathan Cruz's go-ahead, 26-yard field goal late in the third quarter put Ole Miss up 22-19 and set the stage for the tense, frantic finish. The Rebels' defense first forced the Wildcats to turn over the ball over on downs early in the fourth before creating the turnovers to seal the win.

'We certainly had our opportunities,' Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said. 'It came down with two opportunities late in the red zone. We came away with zero.'

Levis led Kentucky (4-0, 1-1) to the Ole Miss 18 before fumbling while diving for additional yardage. The Wildcats created a final opportunity on Levis 51-yard pass to Barion Brown to the 7. After a touchdown-nullifying illegal motion penalty, Levis fumbled on the next play on a sack by Ivey with 58 seconds remaining.

'I stayed on my feet, put a move on their tackle, got the bend (angle) and reached out to slap at the ball. After that, it was a blur,' Ivey said. 'Coach (Kiffin) said I missed four chances in the last game to make a play and it was about time for me to make one.'

Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins rushed 15 times for 106 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown that built a 14-0 first-quarter lead. Zach Evans added a 4-yard scoring run and Tavius Robinson was credited with a safety after an intentional grounding penalty by Kentucky for a 19-12 halftime lead.

Jaxson Dart was 15 of 29 passing for 213 yards as the Rebels finished with 399 yards of total offense. Troy Brown and Finley had a game-high nine tackles apiece and the Rebels had nine stops for loss.

Levis tossed TD passes of 5 and 17 yards, respectively, to Tayvion Robinson and Jordan Dingle. The QB completed 18 of 24 attempts but was sacked three times besides the two late fumbles.

Brown's game-breaking speed added 164 return yards and 81 yards on two receptions.

THE TAKEAWAY

Kentucky: The Wildcats failed on two extra points, a wide-left 39-yard field goal attempt in the first half and an illegal motion penalty that wiped out a potential game-winning TD pass in the final minute ' and that was the difference in a close game. The win snapped an eight-game winning streak that spanned two seasons.

'Obviously, it's a very difficult loss,' Stoops added. 'It's just heartbreaking for our players.'

Mississippi: The Rebels survived a competition upgrade after blowing through a softer-than-expected September schedule. Ole Miss is 16-3 over two seasons and positioned itself to be the best team in the SEC other than top-ranked Georgia or No. 2 Alabama. The Rebels are 5-0 for the first time since 2014.

'There is more to go, but this is one I'm always going to remember,' Dart said. 'Winning this early in the day means we are all going to have a great night tonight.'

NFL IN THE HOUSE

A total of 17 NFL personnel representing 12 teams were credentialed for the game, primarily to evaluate Levis, who is considered a potential first-round draft choice.

RODRIGUEZ RETURNS

After missing September due to suspension, Kentucky's All-SEC running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. returned to the starting lineup. Rodriguez finished with 72 yards on 19 rushes with a fourth-and-2 conversion run during a third-quarter TD drive.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

Despite a steady ascent, the No. 14 Rebels trailed 11 other ranked unbeaten teams. Defeating the No. 7 Wildcats boosted Ole Miss' prospects for a Top-10 slot. The Wildcats had a creditable road performance and figure to remain ranked despite the loss.

UP NEXT

Kentucky: The Wildcats begin a two-week home stand with South Carolina on Saturday.

Mississippi: The Rebels visit Vanderbilt on Saturday.

___

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Mississippi defensive tackle JJ Pegues (89) and defensive end Cedric Johnson (2) react after a fumble recovery during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. Mississippi won 22-19. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning) The Associated Press

Mississippi running back Quinshon Judkins (4) reacts after a run during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. Mississippi won 22-19. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning) The Associated Press

Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) looks to pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. Mississippi won 22-19. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning) The Associated Press

Kentucky running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (24) runs the ball past Mississippi linebacker Troy Brown (8) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. Mississippi won 22-19. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning) The Associated Press

Kentucky defensive back Zion Childress (11) breaks up a pass intended for Mississippi wide receiver Jonathan Mingo (1) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. Mississippi won 22-19. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning) The Associated Press

Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) celebrates with offensive lineman Mason Brooks (75) after an NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. Mississippi won 22-19. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning) The Associated Press

Kentucky tight end Jordan Dingle (85) dives for a touchdown past Mississippi safeties Otis Reese (3), Isheem Young (1) and linebacker Troy Brown (8) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. Mississippi won 22-19. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning) The Associated Press

Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) looks to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning) The Associated Press

Mississippi head coach Lane Kiffin talks with an official during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. Mississippi won 22-19. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning) The Associated Press

Kentucky wide receiver Tayvion Robinson (9) reacts after a 5-yard touchdown catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning) The Associated Press

Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops watches during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. Mississippi won 22-19. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning) The Associated Press

Mississippi linebacker Troy Brown (8) reacts after a Mississippi sack during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning) The Associated Press

Kentucky linebacker Jordan Wright (15) reacts after breaking up a Mississippi pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning) The Associated Press

Mississippi linebacker Austin Keys (11) sacks Kentucky quarterback Will Levis (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning) The Associated Press

Kentucky linebacker Jacquez Jones (10) intercepts a Mississippi pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning) The Associated Press

Kentucky quarterback Will Levis (7) looks to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning) The Associated Press

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