Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) throws a landing move it tight finish Michael Trigg, not pictured, within the second half of an NCAA faculty soccer sport in opposition to Tulane in New Orleans, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Mississippi received 37-20. Credit score: AP/Gerald Herbert
Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) reacts after dashing for a primary down close to the Tulane aim line within the second half of an NCAA faculty soccer sport in New Orleans, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Mississippi received 37-20. Credit score: AP/Gerald Herbert
Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart appears to be like to move in the course of the second half the crew’s NCAA faculty soccer sport in opposition to Georgia Tech in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Credit score: AP/Thomas Graning
Jaxson Dart didn’t again down.
Mississippi’s beginning quarterback all of a sudden confronted a problem for the job in the course of the spring after coach Lane Kiffin introduced in two transfers, together with four-year Oklahoma State starter Spencer Sanders.
Dart, who leads the Fifteenth-ranked Rebels in opposition to No. 13 Alabama Saturday in Tuscaloosa, held onto the job and has maybe been higher than ever to this point this season.
“I believe the challenges and adversity make us all higher,” Kiffin mentioned this week. “Although I’m positive he didn’t prefer it on the time, it was good for him. He’s performed extraordinarily effectively.”
Dart was fairly good final season after transferring from USC, which is why the addition of Sanders and LSU switch Walker Howard was notable even within the period of switch portal musical chairs.
Dart has began the primary three video games, although all three quarterbacks performed within the opener in opposition to Merce r. Dart mentioned after that sport he had anticipated since final season to be the starter and “I felt like I earned it.”
A few days later, Kiffin made it official. Dart was his starter. Nonetheless.
Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) reacts after dashing for a primary down close to the Tulane aim line within the second half of an NCAA faculty soccer sport in New Orleans, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Mississippi received 37-20. Credit score: AP/Gerald Herbert
He leads Ole Miss into its largest check of the season having dispatched Mercer and Georgia Tech simply and helped the Rebels to a street win over then-No. 22 Tulane.
Dart ranks fifth within the FBS in complete offense, averaging 355 yards per sport, sixth in passing effectivity (202.45) and second in yards per completion (18.93).
All these numbers are considerably forward of final 12 months’s, although higher defenses little doubt await — together with Alabama’s.
“We thought he was a extremely good participant final 12 months, so I believe he’s taking part in extraordinarily effectively this 12 months,” Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban mentioned. “I can’t actually say as an incredible comparability, however he’s throwing the ball effectively, he’s at all times a risk as a runner. They’ve quarterback runs of their offense, which he does an incredible job of studying them.
Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart appears to be like to move in the course of the second half the crew’s NCAA faculty soccer sport in opposition to Georgia Tech in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Credit score: AP/Thomas Graning
“And this man’s robust and an incredible competitor. It’s going to be actually difficult for us to play him run and move.”
Dart handed for 251 yards and a landing in opposition to Georgia Tech and ran for 136 yards and two scores. He has needed to step up his sport with among the Rebels’ finest playmakers sidelined or restricted by damage, together with tailback Quinshon Judkins and vast receiver Tre Harris.
The Rebels, Kiffin mentioned, have had “to place the offense on his again there slightly bit the previous couple of weeks.” Dart, who was intercepted 11 occasions final season, seems like he has accomplished a greater job this season of not forcing the difficulty an excessive amount of in going for large performs after they aren’t out there.
One factor he hasn’t accomplished effectively is slide to keep away from danger of damage for the Rebels’ most necessary participant.
“I undoubtedly want to start out doing that,” Dart mentioned after the Georgia Tech sport. “My mother (Kara) tells me each single day — on the (pre-game) stroll she really instructed me, She’s like, ‘Now, you keep in mind to slip.’ I assume I simply forgot. However I’ll keep in mind it.”
The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder hasn’t shied from contact. The son of former Utah security Brandon Dart lowered his shoulder into Georgia Tech defensive again Ahmari Harvey for the primary landing in opposition to the Yellow Jackets.
“I really like that a part of the game, love that a part of soccer,” Dart mentioned after the sport. “My Dad at all times raised me to be a soccer participant earlier than a quarterback. So I’ve simply at all times cherished the physicality of it.”
That’s not at all times what you wish to hear out of your quarterback, regardless of who his backups are.
“His mother and father have very robust minds,” Kiffin mentioned. “His mother runs marathons. His dad was a security. He had that in him, which is sweet.
“You’ve simply bought to be sensible whenever you use that. However he’s bought a really aggressive, robust aspect to him for positive.”
