Homecoming halted: the #5 Ole Miss Rebels' fast start results in a 40-6 win over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Preview: #5 Ole Miss Rebels (2-0, 0-0) vs Wake Forest University Demon Deacons (1-1, 0-1) in a SEC/ACC matchup

Today's matchup (September 14, 2024 - 6:30pm EST kickoff at Allegacy Stadium) in Winston-Salem, NC is a proverbial "rubber meets the road" matchup between the 5th ranked Ole Miss Rebels and the Wake Forest University Demon Deacons.

For Ole Miss, who comes in averaging a video-game level 713.5 yards of total offense and 64 points per game, this is clearly their toughest challenge prior to the start of SEC play. The passing attack is led by high-flying quarterback Jaxon Dart, who true to his last name is throwing "darts" at a rate of nearly 400 yards per game (795 passing yards/87% completion rate/6 touchdowns and 0 interceptions). Led by receiver Tre Harris (309 receiving yards/18.2 yards per catch/2 touchdowns), their passing attack looks to challenge a Deacon defense allowing 254.5 passing yards per game. Likewise, their rushing attack features 3 running backs averaging at least 7 yards per carry, specifically via the efforts of Henry Parrish, Jr. (205 rushing yards/9.3 yards per carry/4 rushing touchdowns) and Matt Jones (100 rushing yards/7.1 yards per carry/3 rushing touchdowns). Thanks to the efforts of leading tackler Nick Andersen (23 total tackles from the safety position), linebacker Branson Combs (18 total tackles/1 sack), along with defensive tackle Kevin Pointer (2 sacks) and defensive end Jasheen Davis (1 sack), the Deacons' defense looks to slow down the ground game of Ole Miss, as they are allowing a mere 3.6 yards per carry.

On a game which is the centerpiece of Wake's homecoming weekend, their offensive line is expected to play a key role in better protecting quarterback Hank Bachmeier (who is sacked 6 times in the early going). His play in the passing game (666 passing yards/64.3% completion rate/4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions) is pivotal if the Deacs are to make a dent in a Rebels' passing defense (which is allowing 198 passing yards per game). Receivers Donavon Greene (238 receiving yards/17 yards per catch/2 touchdowns) and Taylor Morin (191 receiving yards/14.7 yards per catch) look to test the secondary, while leading rusher Demond Claiborne (221 rushing yards/5.8 yards per carry/3 rushing touchdowns) faces an Ole Miss rush defense allowing 27 yards per game (1.0 yards per carry) led by linebacker Chris Paul, Jr. (14 total tackles/0.5 sacks) and defensive ends Chris Hardle and Kam Franklin (as both have 1.5 sacks apiece).

Game recap: #5 Ole Miss has a fast start in the 1st quarter to keep the Deacs playing from behind nearly the entire game.

Ole Miss wastes little time in getting on the scoreboard.

On their opening drive, the Rebels score within the first 2 minutes of kickoff (13:37 mark of the 1st quarter) as Henry Parrish, Jr's 25-yard sprint gives them a 7-0 lead. The Deacs would cut into the lead thanks to a 42-yard field goal by Matthew Dennis (5:22 in the 1st quarter) to make it a 7-3 game.

The Rebels would go on a 16-point scoring run for the duration of the 1st quarter and into the 2nd quarter. Jaxson Dart's 75-yard connection to Jordan Watkins (4:48 in the 1st quarter), Henry Parrish, Jr's 2nd touchdown run of the game (22-yards at the 1:55 mark of the 1st quarter), and a 33-yard field goal by Caden Davis (4:44 in the 2nd quarter) give them a 23-3 advantage.

Wake would snap the run thanks to a 37-yard field goal by Matthew Dennis to trail at the half by a 23-6 margin.

In a game littered with multiple defensive injuries by the Rebels (reminiscent of similar situations during the 2021 and 2022 seasons), the Deacs would make a scoring push inside the 10 minute mark of the 3rd quarter, but their 4th and goal effort from the Rebels' 4-yard line would fall short.

Ole Miss would then go on a 17-0 run from the late 3rd/mid 4th quarter to put the game out of reach. Fueled by a 3rd quarter 13-yard touchdown run by Jaxson Dart (3:39 in the 3rd quarter), a 26-yard field goal by Caden Davis (8:12 in the 4th quarter), and a 31-yard touchdown reception by Antwane Wells, Jr. (6:27 in the 4th quarter), the Rebels close out with a win to improve to 3-0 overall.

Postgame: The Deacs drop to 1-2 overall and look to address areas of concern going into their bye week

Although both teams have the ball for nearly the same amount of time (30:39 for Ole Miss and 29:21 for Wake Forest), the #5 Rebels seize control of the game early with their fast start in the 1st quarter.

The Rebels outgain the Deacs by a 2:1 margin (650 total yards to 311); defensively, their team records 4 sacks as Wake is not able to generate a pass rush (1 sack).

As a result, the Rebels' Jaxson Dart (26/34 for 377 passing yards, along with 2 touchdowns and an interception along with a rushing touchdown), running back Henry Parrish, Jr. (23 carries/148 rushing yards/2 rushing touchdowns), and Tre Harris (11 receptions for 127 receiving yards) set the pace for an offense which records a whopping 273 rushing yards (averaging 6.1 yards per game). Defensive end Jared Ivey's 2 sacks produce tremendous pressure on the Wake running (46 rushing yards/1.4 yards per carry) and passing game.

Wake quarterback Hank Bachmeier (22/39/239 passing yards) leads the Wake offense, along with contributions from receiver Taylor Morin (5 receptions for 77 yards) and running back Ty Clark (8 rushes for 41 yards along with a fumble). On defense, safety Nick Andersen produces 13 total tackles.

During the postgame press conference, Wake head coach Dave Clawson, quarterback Hank Bachmeier, and wide receiver Taylor Morin field our questions. All speak to focus areas leading into their bye this week, as they look to halt their current 2 game losing streak:

Wake looks to get on track with their upcoming game against the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns (2-0 overall) at home on September 28, 2024 (game time TBA) while #5 Ole Miss looks to earn their 4th consecutive win to open the season as they host Georgia Southern (2-1 overall) on September 21, 2024 (7:45pm CST).

Notes: All photos and video are recorded via Creative Community Solutions (click HERE to visit our college football section). You may watch our game snapshots along with segments/full post-game interviews on our 2024 season playlist (click HERE to watch).