Jaxson Dart broke Ole Miss records for passing yards and touchdown throws in a single game, surpassing Matt Corral and Eli Manning, during the 19th-ranked Rebels’ impressive 63-31 victory over Arkansas on Saturday.
Dart threw for four touchdowns and 321 yards in just the first half. He connected with Jordan Watkins for three of those touchdowns, including one for 62 yards and another for 66 yards on consecutive drives, just three plays apart. Dart ended the game with 25 completions out of 31 attempts for 515 yards and six touchdowns.
“It’s pretty cool and unique to have this opportunity. I thought (offensive coordinator Charlie) coach Weis called a hell of a game today and put us in position,” Dart said.
Ole Miss (7-2, 3-2 Southeastern Conference) led 35-10 at halftime after scoring on three straight drives during the first and second quarters.
The Rebels started and finished the first half with scoring plays: Princely Umanmielen recovered a Taylen Green fumble in the end zone midway through the first quarter, and Dart finished the half with a three-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Watkins with five seconds left, marking his fourth touchdown pass in the first half.
“That’s just a really good job by a lot of people. Just a clean offensive game,” said Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin. “And then having no turnovers, one sack. Just really, I told them, I’m just excited that I see them play like they can play as a team even without some players.”
Arkansas (5-4, 3-3 SEC) managed to stop the Rebels at the goal line on their first drive, which was about the only significant stop the Razorbacks made all game.
Ole Miss piled up 694 total yards of offense. The Rebels scored on seven of their nine possessions while their starters were in the game, punting only once during that time.
Arkansas coach Sam Pittman began using backups around halfway through the third quarter. Backup quarterback Malachi Singleton completed 11 of 14 passes for 207 yards and one touchdown, and he also ran for another 39 yards with a touchdown. The Razorbacks added rushing touchdowns from Rashod Dubinion and Rodney Hill.
“Very disappointed. Felt like we had them ready to play,” Pittman said. “Obviously that wasn’t the case.”
Watkins also set school records with five touchdown catches and 254 yards receiving. Dae’Quan Wright caught another touchdown pass from Dart and added one more from Austin Simmons in the fourth quarter.
