Wake Forest Falls Victim to No. 5 Ole Miss

© Jim Dedmon Imagn Images

There was little doubt about the outcome of this game before kickoff and No. 5 Ole Miss made sure there would be even less doubt by the end of the game. Ole Miss (3-0) bested Wake Forest (1-2, 0-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) with a score of 40-6, on Sept. 14 at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C. Wake Forest entered the game as a 23-point underdog but appeared outmatched even more than the experts predicted. 

Wake Forest vs. No. 5 Ole Miss 

Early Fireworks

Wake Forest has not beaten a top 5 opponent since 1942. A loaf of bread was 9 cents and President Joe Biden was not even one year of age. The sitting president could not help Wake Forest then and there was nothing he could do to help them this game. It was an early onslaught from the No. 5 team in the nation as Ole Miss scored their first points in the first 1:23. It was running back Henry Parrish Jr. finding the end zone to complete a 5-play drive. Wake Forest would counter with an early field goal on their first scoring drive but just 34 seconds later Ole Miss was in the end zone again. This time behind the arm of Heisman Trophy hopeful, quarterback Jaxson Dart. Dart found wide receiver Jordan Watkins for a 75-yard TD after a blown coverage in the Wake Forest secondary. RB Parrish found himself in the end zone for a second time in the first quarter after a 7-play, 63-yard drive and increased the Rebel’s lead to 20-3. 

The Wake Forest defense would settle down in the second quarter and fortunately for them so would the Ole Miss offense. Both defenses stood stout for the second quarter. Wake Forest was much more sound in the secondary and closed the passing windows which led to big plays in the first quarter. Each offense took turns marching downfield only to fall short of the end zone and both teams would settle for field goals, ending the first half 23-6 Rebels.

Clock Control

The second half was played with defensive pride. Wake Forest’s defense found the fortitude to slow the explosive Ole Miss offense and keep the second-half score reasonable. The Ole Miss defense continued their dominance and kept the Wake Forest offense from finding the end zone. The Rebels defense has not allowed a TD this year and their play showed that they intended to keep that record intact. Ole Miss added some late points to pull further away from Wake Forest including an exciting one-handed TD grab by WR Antwane Wells Jr.

Players of the Game

Wake Forest: WR Taylor Morin

Morin was the only specialty player from Wake Forest who could find any modicum of success. Morin led the  Demon Deacons with 5 receptions for 77 yards.

Ole Miss: Offensive Line

Believe it or not, this unit consists of four new transfers but collectively they are playing like a veteran NFL unit. The big boys up front deserve recognition for keeping their star QB upright and creating running lanes.

© Jim Dedmon Imagn Images

The Road Ahead 

Wake Forest is a fiery veteran team that was fundamentally outmatched in this game. This game does not mean anything in the grand scheme of the season. Wake Forest’s main focus will be improving next week and finding a win against the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns (2-0) before entering conference play.

Ole Miss is on a mission to solidify its place in the College Football Playoff and this game is another positive notch for the Rebels. Head coach Lane Kiffin and the Rebels will take Georgia Southern (2-1) to the cleaners next week as they continue fine-tuning the engine on this dynamic offense.