Ole Miss football vs Kentucky: Final score, highlights from Week 5 ...

OXFORD − Ole Miss football's season has been blemished.

Kentucky beat the No. 6 Rebels 20-17 on Saturday in Ole Miss' conference opener. Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin said an SEC opponent would test the undefeated Rebels in ways their nonconference opponents couldn't, and he was correct.

The Wildcats led 13-10 late in the third quarter before Ole Miss’ offense hit a big play from receiver Tre Harris and the Rebels’ defense buckled down. Kentucky went on a late game-winning touchdown drive and the Rebels' potential 48-yard game-tying field goal with 48 seconds left went wide left.

Ole Miss is now 4-1 and 0-1 in SEC play. It's Kentucky's (3-2, 1-2 SEC) first conference win.

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Ole Miss vs Kentucky score updates

Ole Miss got to the 38-yard line. It wasn't enough. Rebels kicker Caden Davis missed the potential game-tying field goal wide left. Kentucky will be able to kneel out the clock.

Facing fourth-and-11 from their own 24, the Rebels aren't out of this game. Dart completed a 42-yard pass up the middle of the field to tight end Caden Prieskorn. It puts Ole Miss on the edge of field goal range.

Kentucky takes the lead on a six-play, 83-yard touchdown drive. It came on a bizarre play where quarterback Gavin Wimsatt fumbled the ball but his teammate Josh Kattus hopped on the ball and fell in the end zone.

Facing a fourth down deep in their own territory, Kentucky hit a huge play.

Wildcats quarterback Brock Vandagriff lofted a deep pass down the left sideline that hit receiver Barion Brown in stride. Brown hauled in for a 63-yard gain, setting UK up at the 18-yard line.

Facing a 4th-and-2 on Kentucky's 48-yard line, the Rebels could have punted. Instead, they ran a play that led to jubilation. Jaxson Dart hit Tre Harris on a slant that Harris took to the house. It gives Ole Miss the lead and Harris redemption for his fumble.

Ole Miss' five-play, 57-yard drive ended on a sour note. Star receiver Tre Harris fumbled on the Kentucky 18-yard line. After review, the Wildcats had a clear recovery and were awarded the ball. Kentucky can drive down and make this a two-score game with a touchdown.

Kentucky jumps back ahead by three points with a long field goal.

The second quarter is Ole Miss' first scoreless quarter this season. Kentucky has run 40 plays to the Rebels' 23, allowing them to dominate in time of possession. It's a good recipe for an underdog to win.

The Rebels trail for the first time this season. Kentucky put together a 13-play, 81-yard drive in 5:45. The drive was also assisted by three defensive Ole Miss penalties. Wildcat quarterback Brock Vandagriff lofted a touch pass to reciever Dane Key for the score.

Ole Miss' offense started brilliantly but has since stalled. The Rebels are forced to punt again and Kentucky takes over at its 19-yard line. It's been all punts for Ole Miss since the opening touchdown drive.

A 10-play Kentucky drive ends in a punt. The Wildcats drove 41 yards and picked up a fourth down but opted to punt when facing a 4th-and-2 from midfield. The Rebels take over at their 17-yard line.

Kentucky's strong pass rush is starting to show itself. Kentucky edge rusher Octavious Oxendine sacks Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart to force a rare Ole Miss punt. The Wildcats take over on their 34-yard line.

The Rebels started quickly and Kentucky responded with a methodical march. The Wildcats get on the board with a 15-play, 7:38-long drive. It ends in a short field goal from Alex Raynor. Kentucky ran nine rushing plays on its opening drive.

It looked like the Rebels might be robbed of their first possession. Instead, quarterback Jaxson Dart turns it into seven points. Dart led a six-play, 83-yard drive where he completed every pass he threw.

Kentucky strikes first. Ole Miss kick returner Micah Davis gets plastered on his opening return and goes down at the 17-yard line. It was initially called that Davis fumbled but, after review, Ole Miss retains possession.

Junior left tackle Jayden Williams will not play against Kentucky, per the Saturday morning injury report update. He was a late addition to the "out" category.

Ole Miss vs Kentucky time today

• Date: Saturday, Sept. 28
• Time: 11 a.m. CT
• Location: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi

What channel is Ole Miss vs Kentucky game on today?

Ole Miss vs. Kentucky will be broadcast nationally on ABC. Sean McDonough and Greg McElroy will call the game from the booth at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, with Molly McGrath reporting from the sidelines. You can stream the game through Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Ole Miss vs Kentucky history

• Series record: After vacated wins, Ole Miss leads, 29-14-1
• Ole Miss' last win: 2022 (22-19)
• Kentucky's last win: 2011 (30-13)

Ole Miss vs Kentucky predictions

Ole Miss 30, Kentucky 10: The Rebels may face their first test of the season, but everything they have displayed in 2024 has indicated they won't fold. If the Rebels' rushing game gets swallowed up, Dart can cut lose. The Rebels should be able to pull out a one-dimensional win where they lean on Dart if needed.

Ole Miss vs Kentucky betting odds

Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Saturday:

• Spread: Ole Miss (-16.5)
• Over/under: 52.5
• Moneyline: Ole Miss (-750), Kentucky (+525)

Ole Miss vs Kentucky injury updates

Defensive lineman Jared Ivey's status will be one to monitor. He is probable to play against Kentucky. Ivey is dealing with an ankle injury he got in the Week 3 game at Wake Forest. It kept him out of the game last week against Georgia Southern. Ivey, a 6-foot-6, 285-pound senior defensive lineman, has been a big part of the Rebels' dominant defense. He has two sacks this season.

Full injury updates here.

Ole Miss vs Kentucky weather update

It will be a cool game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. AccuWeather projects it to be 64 degrees and cloudy in the morning for the 11 a.m. kick in Oxford. There is a 25% chance of rain.

Ole Miss football 2024 schedule

• Aug. 31: vs. Furman (76-0 W)
• Sept. 7: vs. Middle Tennessee (52-3 W)
• Sept. 14: at Wake Forest (40-6 W)
• Sept. 21: vs. Georgia Southern (52-13 W)
• Sept. 28: vs. Kentucky
• Oct. 5: at South Carolina
• Oct. 12: at LSU
• Oct. 26: vs. Oklahoma
• Nov. 2: at Arkansas
• Nov. 9: vs. Georgia
• Nov. 23: at Florida
• Nov. 29: vs. Mississippi State

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Kentucky football 2024 schedule

• Aug. 31: vs Southern Miss (31-0 W)
• Sept. 7: vs South Carolina (31-6 L)
• Sept. 14: vs Georgia (13-12 L)
• Sept. 21: vs Ohio (41-6 W)
• Sept. 28: at Ole Miss
• Oct. 12: vs Vanderbilt
• Oct. 19: at Florida
• Oct. 26: vs Auburn
• Nov. 2: at Tennessee
• Nov. 16: vs Murray State
• Nov. 23: at Texas
• Nov. 30: vs Louisville

Ole Miss football news

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Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_