Gator Bowl: What to know before tuning in to Ole Miss vs. Duke
A mostly intact Ole Miss football team will look to ring in the new year on a high note and reach the 10-win benchmark for the third time under Lane Kiffin’s guidance on Thursday when it takes on Duke in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.
Though the 2023-24 campaign produced playoff – and even championship – expectations for the No. 14 Rebels (9-3, 5-3 SEC), a trio of losses throughout the year ultimately prevented the red and blue from being one of the 12 teams vying for a title. Despite missing the College Football Playoff in a season dubbed “The Last Dance,” an overwhelming majority of Ole Miss players have opted in for the contest against Duke (9-3, 5-3 ACC)
In the modern era of college football, programs not participating in a postseason matchup with championship stakes are prone to have some of their top players elect not to suit up for the contest. That was not the case for Ole Miss. Key veterans, like senior defensive tackle and Oxford native JJ Pegues, have chosen to give it one more go under head coach Lane Kiffin’s guidance.
“We all want to leave this place better than how we found it. Definitely for me, just being from here, wearing the jersey one more time, representing Chucky Mullins and 38, it’s a big deal,” Pegues said. “We built something special here. We started something special. We just want to finish the right way.”
Comments
Post a Comment