LOOK: Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss release statement, hype video for new helmets ahead of Kentucky showdown
Ole Miss and Lane Kiffin are elated to show off their new helmets on Saturday against Kentucky, which were designed in a partnership with the camouflage clothing brand Realtree.
After the beautiful helmets were revealed via Twitter on Monday, the Ole Miss head coach released a statement, elaborating on his excitement to rock the fresh lids.
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“Our players and coaches are excited to partner with Realtree and wear this unique new helmet and gear,” Kiffin said, via Ole Miss. “I appreciate Bill, Tyler and the entire Realtree team for all they have done and continue to do for our program. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for this great collaboration.”
However, the fun didn’t stop there — Ole Miss also released a sick hype video to get ready for the debut of the helmets. Check out the video below, featuring the aforementioned helmet as the center of attention, of course.
The helmets are coming at a timely week, as it’s the perfect time to give the Rebels a jolt of energy, and they could do just that. The Kentucky Wildcats are up to No. 7 in the country, while Ole Miss sits at No. 14 — if Lane Kiffin’s squad can get a victory, they could be in for a massive jump up the rankings.
Thus far on the season, the Rebels haven’t faced the best of competition, but that all changes on Saturday. Kentucky will take their 4-0 record on the road to Oxford to try to hand Ole Miss their first loss of the season, kickoff scheduled for 12:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Jaxson Dart addresses mentality as Ole Miss starting quarterback
Furthermore, after a lengthy quarterback competition that lasted a few weeks into the season, Ole Miss finally has its man under center in Jaxson Dart.
The USC transfer got the nod from head coach Lane Kiffin after outplaying No. 2 guy Luke Altmyer in the early going this season. Barring anything crazy, he’ll be the starter the rest of the year. So how does Dart feel now that he doesn’t have the stress of a QB competition weighing him down?
“You know, for me, I take it day by day,” he shared. “And just trying to compete. And I I know Luke takes it the exact same way and we push each other. At the end of that, we make our each other better, you know. This competition of football, it never ends. So I really just try to come out each and every day and do whatever it takes for us to win and and be successful. And, you know, I know my role and I’m just going to try to fulfill that each and every day.”
Then Dart was asked about the process of him being selected and informed of the staff’s decision to start him going forward. He gave a pretty tight-lipped answer. “I’m just going to keep that between me coach Kiffin.”
Lastly, Dart reflected on how the competition pushed he and Altmyer to be better. And also explained that the two have a strong relationship and only want to build off one another.
“Yeah it’s grown me a lot as a quarterback, but I think it’s just, you know, trying to just persevere through the good and the bad and just being resilient. Luke’s such a good quarterback and he has so many talents that I’ve learned from just competing with them each and everyday. And like I said, it’s a competition every single time you step on the football field. So for me, you know, I still view it as it’s still going on and I gotta hold myself to an even higher standard to do all that I can to help the team fill the potentials of it.
“I just compete every single day and I’d never feel like it’s over. So, you know, I think going forward we’re just going to continue to push each other and make each other better. And we have such a good relationship off the field that, you know, it’s a fun atmosphere to be a part of.”