Senate Concurrent Resolution 529

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CELEBRATING AND CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI OLE MISS REBELS FOOTBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH LANE KIFFIN, INCLUDING THE ATHLETES, COACHING STAFF, ADMINISTRATION, FACULTY, STUDENTS AND ALUMNI, FOR WINNING THE 2024 TAXSLAYER GATOR BOWL AND FOR CONSECUTIVE 10-WIN SEASON VICTORIES.

WHEREAS, the 2024 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on January 4, 2025, in Jacksonville, Florida, was a complete victory for the No. 14 Ole Miss Rebels Football Team, as they dominated Duke 52-20, leading from wire-to-wire to finish the 2024 season at 10-3 (5-3 in SEC play); and

WHEREAS, this season was the first time since 1959-1960 that the Rebels had back-to-back 10-win seasons, just the second time in school history and they have won 10 games in three of the last four seasons under Head Coach Lane Kiffin. The Rebels improved to 27-15 on the field in bowl games, including 13-4 in their last 17 games. Ole Miss football was ranked 11th by the Associated Press. The Rebels finished ranked in the top 15 for the third time in four years under Coach Lane Kiffin; and

WHEREAS, Ole Miss outgained Duke 589 to 280, holding the Blue Devils to just 44 yards rushing despite zero Rebel sacks figuring into the numbers. The Rebel offense racked up 438 yards through the air and 151 on the ground, while Duke threw for 236; and

WHEREAS, quarterback Jaxson Dart was outstanding in his final game as a Rebel, going 27-for-35 through the air and rushing 12 times for 447 yards of total offense, four touchdowns and no interceptions. Jaxson Dart would go on to be selected to the All-SEC First Team; and

WHEREAS, in the Gator Bowl, Ulysses Bentley IV led the rushing efforts with 70 yards and two scores on 14 carries. Jordan Watkins had a team-high 180 receiving yards with two touchdowns. Cayden Lee caught eight team-high passes and Dae'Quan Wright turned in a phenomenal game, as well as with three catches for 73 yards and a touchdown. Trey Washington paced the Rebel defense with 10 tackles. Ole Miss had a rare sack-free game but racked up a staggering 15 quarterback hurries, including five for Jared Ivey, four for Princely Umanmielen and three by Khari Coleman. Isaiah Hamilton highlighted a stifling defensive effort with an interception return for a touchdown; and

WHEREAS, the Gator Bowl goes down as the most points scored in a bowl game in Ole Miss history and also secures the Rebels their third double-digit win season in four years. The highlight of the 2024 season was the 28-10 thrashing of then No. 3 Georgia to keep their playoff dreams alive. Also, Jaxson Dart now holds just about every offense record in Ole Miss history and is one of just four SEC quarterbacks to surpass 12,000 total yards; and

WHEREAS, the 2024 University of Mississippi Football Team has brought great pride and honor to Ole Miss loyal fans of the University of Mississippi and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby celebrate and congratulate the University of Mississippi Ole Miss Rebels Football Team and Head Coach Lane Kiffin, including the athletes, coaching staff, administration, faculty, students and alumni, for winning the 2024 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl and for consecutive 10-win seasons.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Chancellor of the University of Mississippi, Glenn F. Boyce, the Athletic Director of the University of Mississippi, Keith Carter, the Head Coach of the Ole Miss Football Team, Lane Kiffin, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.