Sugary Upset: Rebels Stun Bulldogs with Thrilling Win

The Mississippi Rebels made history on New Year’s Day, defeating the Georgia Bulldogs 39-34 in a thrilling Sugar Bowl matchup. The win marked a major upset, as the Rebels were considered underdogs by many heading into the game. Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Smith-Njigba led the charge for his team, completing 22 of 30 passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Elijah Scott added 123 rushing yards on 14 carries, including a crucial score in the fourth quarter that gave the Rebels the lead for good. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, struggled to find consistency on offense, with quarterback Stetson Bennett struggling to complete passes due to heavy pressure from Mississippi’s defensive line. Georgia’s offense managed just 294 total yards and was unable to overcome the deficit despite a late surge in the fourth quarter. The win sends Mississippi to the College Football Playoff semifinals, where they will face off against either Alabama or Cincinnati. The Rebels’ victory marked their first bowl win under coach Lane Kiffin since 2014, and sets up what promises to be an exciting postseason showdown for the program. For Georgia, the loss was a disappointing end to a season that saw the Bulldogs rise to as high as No. 3 in the AP poll. Despite falling short of their goal, quarterback Stetson Bennett will take away valuable experience from his team’s playoff run and look forward to another year of competition.