Kiffin lets No. 12 Mississippi know that one loss does not end its championship hopes

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — One loss won't end the championship hopes of No. 12 Mississippi, no matter how bad the Rebels' offense looked in falling to Kentucky.

Mississippi coach Lane Kiffin told his team just that this week as it prepared to face South Carolina (3-1, 1-1 Southeastern Conference). Nothing, not the SEC title or a spot in the College Football Playoff, is off the table after the 20-17 loss to the Wildcats.

Kiffin said he told them, “Just because you get all those questions, understand everything that you want to do is still there.”

The same might be true for the Gamecocks, who blew a 17-0 lead at home to No. 13 LSU before falling in the last two minutes, 36-33, three weeks ago.

South Carolina coach Shane Beamer, even after his team's 50-7 win over Akron and a bye week, has not fully let go of that LSU loss where the Gamecocks had two apparent pick-six interceptions called back due to penalties.

The best way to put that in the past, Beamer believes, is another strong effort Saturday against Ole Miss (4-1, 0-1). The Gamecocks had a bye last week, giving Beamer the chance to watch Kentucky take down the Rebels, who lead the SEC in total offense but were held to 353 yards — more than 250 fewer than their average — by the Wildcats.

Beamer came away impressed with both teams, not a potential blueprint for victory.

“I walked out of that game thinking, ‘You know what, we knew Kentucky was a good team when we played them,’” Beamer said. “Then, I also walked out of there saying I knew Ole Miss is a really good team and they showed that on Saturday.”

Welcome back, Juice

Antwane “Juice” Wells Jr., the Ole Miss receiver, is returning to South Carolina, where he was the Gamecocks' leading receiver in 2022 with 68 catches for 928 yards and six TDs. Wells played just three games last year due to injuries and decided to move onto the Rebels. Count on fans letting Wells know how they felt about him leaving.

“I’m not really worried about it, honestly,” Wells said. “I do a great job of not cluttering my mind with any negative things or anything like that."

Offensive meeting

Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart led a players meeting with the offense on Sunday after the loss to Kentucky. Receiver Cayden Lee said players discussed what happened, why it happened and how to make sure the defeat doesn't linger.

Dart “led the meeting and just talked things over,” Lee said. "He’s definitely taking it hard. This week I feel like he’s got something in store. We’re going to do really good, I feel like.”

Portal power

Boosted by key transfers, the Rebels lead the FBS in rushing defense, allowing 46.2 yards a game, and tackles for loss (53). Ole Miss is in a three-way tie for fewest touchdowns allowed (three).

Transfers have accounted for 31.5 of those tackles for loss, led by linebacker Chris Paul Jr. with seven and defensive end Princely Umanmielen with six.

South Carolina injuries

South Carolina starters in quarterback LaNorris Sellers and running back Raheim Sanders, who were both out with ankle injuries, have practiced this week and appear on track to play against Mississippi. Sellers came out right before halftime against LSU three weeks ago with the Gamecocks ahead 24-10. He missed the second half and the last game with Akron on Sept. 21. Sanders was hurt early in the 50-7 win over the Zips.

Frequent connection

Dart has completed 113 passes and 49 of them have gone to Tre Harris, the highest connection percentage of any FBS passing duo. Dart leads the nation in passing yards (1,815), passing efficiency (208.5) and yards per attempt (12.4).

Harris tops the country with 804 receiving yards and 160.8 per game. That’s the highest receiving yardage total by any receiver entering October since Oregon State’s Brandin Cooks produced 807 in 2013.

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AP Sports Writer John Zenor contributed to this report.

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Pete Iacobelli, The Associated Press