GAINESVILLE, Fla. – – DJ Lagway threw two touchdown passes, Montrell Johnson ran for 127 yards and a score, and Florida upset No. 9 Mississippi 24-17 on Saturday to knock the Rebels out of College Football Playoff contention.

The Gators (6-5, 4-4 Southeastern Conference), who topped LSU last week, defeated ranked teams in consecutive weeks for the first time since 2008 and became bowl eligible. The late-season spurt provided another vote of confidence for coach Billy Napier, who is expected to return for a fourth season.

Ole Miss (8-3, 4-3), which entered the day as a 10-point favorite, lost for the first time in four games and will certainly be out of the 12-team playoffs. The Rebels were ranked ninth in the final CFP and just needed to avoid stumbling against Florida and lowly Mississippi State to clinch a spot in the playoff field.

But coach Lane Kiffin’s team failed to score in three red zone trips and dropped numerous passes in perfect weather.

Bryce Thornton intercepted passes to end Ole Miss’ final two drives, including one with 17 seconds left, sending nearly the entire Florida team into a raucous celebration in the end zone.

Jaxson Dart completed 24 of 41 passes for 323 yards, with two touchdowns and two picks. He also scrambled 14 times for a team-high 71 yards.

The Rebels probably would have had a comfortable lead had it not been for repeated failures inside the 20-yard line. Defensive tackle JJ Pegues, a 325-pound wrecking ball out of the backfield, was stopped on two fourth-down runs inside the 20-yard line, and Caden Davis missed a 34-yard field goal in the second quarter.

Ole Miss also dropped a huge number of passes, including at least three that likely would have been touchdowns. Jordan Watkins (twice), Wells (twice), Dae’Quan Wright and star receiver Tre Harris were among the droppers.

Florida was much more efficient. Lagway completed 10 of 17 passes for 180 yards, with an interception.

Injury problems for Ole Miss

Days after Kiffin raved about his team’s health, the Rebels had three starters go down with injuries.

Harris, who returned after missing the last three games with a lower-body injury, left in the second quarter with an apparent groin injury.

Safety Yam Banks was also carted off the field after injuring his left knee, and center Reece McIntyre left the game. Right tackle Micah Pettus was also injured on a play, but was able to return.

“Senior Day” for Florida

Injured quarterback Graham Mertz got the loudest ovation on Florida’s final day. Mertz’s college career ended when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a 23-17 overtime loss at then No. 1. 8 Tennessee last month. Mertz underwent surgery and hopes to get healthy enough to play for NFL teams at least before the draft in April.

The graduating class also includes running back Montrell Johnson, defensive tackle Desmond Watson and cornerback Jason Marshall, who is also out for the season.

The takeaway

Mississippi: The Rebels needed better offensive balance. Ole Miss played without Henry Parrish Jr. (knee) running back for the second consecutive game and threw the ball 41 times. Dart also scrambled another 14. It sometimes worked against Florida’s depleted secondary, but was not a recipe for success.

Florida: The Gators now have a chance to end the regular season with three straight wins, more evidence that Napier has the team on the right track.

Next

Mississippi: The Rebels host Mississippi State on Friday in a rivalry known as the Egg Bowl.

Florida: The Gators play at rival Florida State next Saturday.

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