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From the Locker Room: Ole Miss’ Judkins, Dart, Harris and Kiffin

Ben Garrettby: Ben Garrett10/01/23SpiritBen
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Ole Miss RB Quinshon Judkins

Ole Miss star second-year running back Quinshon Judkins believes he’s the best player in the country. 

He obviously didn’t produce like it the first four games of the season.

Judkins as a true freshman in 2022 set a new single-season Ole Miss record for rushing yards. However, he rolled into LSU on Saturday without a 100-yard rushing game on the 2023-24 campaign. Even worse, he was in the SEC basement in yards-per-carry average (3.5). 

But just as the Rebels, as a team, picked themselves up and got themselves back on track following a disappointing performance at Alabama last week, Judkins shined in a 55-49 win over the Tigers. He rushed for 177 yards on a career-high 33 carries and scored one of the Rebels’ three rushing touchdowns.

Ole Miss had over 700 yards of offense for the fourth time under now-fourth-year head coach Lane Kiffin. The Rebels had pulled off the feat just two times ever before Kiffin arrived.

“It’s awesome — not just for yourself, but also just for everyone that’s around you,” Judkins said afterwards, when asked of what it was like to be a part of such a memorable game. 

“You see the built-up camaraderie towards the game, then when you win and everyone storms the field, it’s just so fun playing this sport and having everyone there to support.”

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Ole Miss was down two scores with around eight minutes remaining in regulation. 

Oh, and the increased workload resulted in Judkins requiring an IV in the third quarter. 

Basically, the Rebels (4-1, 1-1 SEC) had a whole heck of a lot stacked against them. Even still, they overcame and found a way. Next comes a home date with Arkansas in a week’s time.

“I believe in my offensive line, I believe in my coaches,” Judkins said. “I know they’ll put me in the best position to win and be successful, so that was never a worry for me. When I go on the field, I know the player I am — the best player in the country.

“I just proved it today.”

Judkins was one of three Rebels (the others were quarterback Jaxson Dart and wide receiver Tre Harris) who met the media following the win. Kiffin did as well. 

Here’s everything they had to say.

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