Lane Kiffin got real about how special Ole Miss' win over Kirby Smart's Georgia Bulldogs is for the program
Ole Miss defeated Georgia 28-10 on Saturday in what is surely one of the greatest wins in the history of the Rebels' college football program. Following that epic win Lane Kiffin found himself in rare form, opening up on a number of topics with the media following the game, clearly emotionally impacted by it all.He […]
Ole Miss defeated Georgia 28-10 on Saturday in what is surely one of the greatest wins in the history of the Rebels' college football program. Following that epic win Lane Kiffin found himself in rare form, opening up on a number of topics with the media following the game, clearly emotionally impacted by it all.
He kicked things off by talking with Molly McGrath while he was still on the field, on the verge of tears when spoke of Jaxson Dart and his team:
"I'm really pleased, the way we played today. A really good game against the best team in the country that hadn't lost for 51 games except Alabama. So, I'm just really happy for our fans. Thank God for all the players, and the way they came back from adversity."
It's true, Georgia had not lost a single game except against Alabama since November 7, 2020 (against Florida). For Ole Miss to not just beat Georgia, but absolutely destroy them 28-10, was quite the feat.
Lane addressed just how different this victory felt to him. He's done some great things in rebuilding the Ole Miss program, but nothing quite like this:
"[Since I've been here] a lot of really good things have happened, but there's not been a signature game like this. [We've] been close. You know, when Alabama was here and all that. So, we're just really happy because I know we've been close with games. And for our fans, for them to be able to enjoy this."
It is special for Rebels fans to be able to enjoy a win like this. Some programs win big games every single year, and expect to, or they're bitter. Ole Miss fans, on the other hand, have been patient with Kiffin as he's built the program up towards an amazing season and opportunity like this one.
When asked about how Kiffin pictured this season going after putting together his best roster ever, and whether he imagined blowing Georgia out in this style, he had this to say:
"Yeah, I don't know that I would have pictured it without Tre Harris, the best receiver in the country, today. But guys stepped up. Jaxson made really good throws. [True freshman quarterback] Austin [Simmons]. You know, Cayden Lee's winning in man-to-man coverage against great cover people. I can't say I pictured a three-score win. But this why we put [this team] together, to win this game."
He wasn't on the verge of tears like he was on the field, but he was clearly showing emotion throughout his post-game interview, so one media member asked him about the emotions he was feeling following such a huge win. He couldn't help but highlight his moment that brought him nearly to tears talking with Molly McGrath on the field, going back to how special Jaxson Dart truly is:
"I think I kind of get lost in the game sometimes, so I don't really get all that until later…I kind of had a moment when [Molly McGrath] asked me on camera about the game…when she said, 'How about your quarterback, Jaxson [Dart], the way he battled back?', and Jaxson had just walked by and said, 'I love you coach', on the last play. And he's just an awesome kid. And to get hurt like that. And I'm like, 'Are you sure [you can go back in]?' And he's like, 'Yeah, it'll be just like the Peach Bowl. It's same injury, same type of feeling. I'll be able to do it. I just can't run perimeter.'"
Kiffin was clearly just blown away by Dart's performance, his impressive push through adversity, and ability to lead. Kiffin actually went on to share that Jaxson Dart really "led this thing" from the start for Ole Miss. Dart was the one who rallied this roster of stars together to focus on what could be a huge year for the program.
Dart has truly been special for Ole Miss this season. Last week, he of course broke nearly every record in the Rebels record book. And this week he blows out Georgia in front of a record home crowd. Kiffin couldn't hold back just how proud he was of his quarterback.
Near the end of the presser, Kiffin shared one of his most candid moments ever with the media when talking about his dad (who just passed away this year), and how much he would have loved this game:
"My dad loved those types of games, and big games. And I thought about him a lot this week. And I was like, man if we win this thing he'll be so happy. Because like last year, I remember him saying, 'Hey, we're going to get this thing turned around, and you're going to beat Georgia next year.' And we really kind of beat them i his style. Great defense, dominant defensive performance. Some kind of mushy offense and field goals. So, he's happy about that performance.
Lane isn't one to hold back many words typically, but it was amazing to see him simply embrace the moment, and not be afraid to put everything he was feeling on the table in perhaps the greatest moment of his professional coaching career. Let's hope there are many more moments like this one for Kiffin and Ole Miss moving forward too.
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