Ole Miss Rebels will be tested in their first half of the SEC season

The Ole Miss Rebels have struggled a bit in the first half of conference play this season.

The Rebels got off to a strange start as Micah Davis initially lost the opening kickoff that would have put Kentucky deep in Ole Miss territory before it was checked and decided by contact.

Davis also did not return to the game after this hit and was replaced by Ulysses Bentley on the kick return and Jordan Watkins on the punt return.

Despite the strange start, Jaxson Dart got off to a quick start, finding Tre Harris deep down the field for a 35-yard catch-and-run, followed by a 1-yard touchdown from Henry Parrish that put Ole Miss up 7 in less than three minutes. 0 in the lead brought playing time.

Kentucky followed with a very well put together drive, but failed at six as the Rebels defense stayed strong inside the 10 and forced a field goal, making it 7-3 with 5:13 left in the first quarter.

Kentucky took advantage of the Rebels’ penalty woes late in the half after Trey Amos held on third-and-goal, followed by a touchdown pass to wideout Dane Key, giving the Wildcats a 10-1 lead late in the first half. 7 provided.

The Rebels attempted to mount an attack, but it was ended by Octavious Oxedine as he recorded his second sack of the half.

Despite the weak first half, the Rebels’ secondary looked shaky, and the entire team once again faced penalties, including a pass interference by John Canady on third down that would have forced a Wildcat punt from deep in their own territory and another from Trey Amos with just under two minutes left that would have led to a 52-yard field goal attempt.

The Rebels entered halftime trailing 10-7 and had no appearance in the red zone after their two-minute touchdown drive to open the game.