The 80th annual TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, held on January 2, 2025, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, featured a commanding performance by the No. 14 Ole Miss Rebels, who triumphed over the Duke Blue Devils with a 52-20 victory.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart led the Rebels with an impressive 404 passing yards, 43 rushing yards, and four total touchdowns, earning him the game’s Most Valuable Player honors. This performance allowed Dart to break Ole Miss’s single-season records for passing and total offense, surpassing marks previously set by Chad Kelly.
The Rebels’ offense was prolific, amassing over 500 yards and six touchdowns. Wide receiver Jordan Watkins was a standout, recording seven receptions for 180 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Ulysses Bentley IV contributed significantly on the ground, rushing for 70 yards and two scores.
Defensively, Ole Miss was dominant, limiting Duke to just 44 rushing yards and 280 total yards. The defense also added to the scoring with a pick-six by Isaiah Hamilton. Safety Trey Washington led the team with 10 tackles, while the defensive line, featuring players like Jared Ivey, Zxavian Harris, and Princely Umanmielen, combined for 11 tackles, contributing to the team’s disruptive presence.
Duke faced challenges, notably the absence of starting quarterback Maalik Murphy and primary running back Star Thomas. Backup quarterback Henry Belin IV managed the game without taking a sack, but the Blue Devils struggled to generate sufficient offense against the formidable Ole Miss defense.
This victory marked Ole Miss’s third 10-win season in four years under head coach Lane Kiffin, highlighting the program’s sustained success. The Rebels have achieved a 38-13 record since 2021, ranking third among SEC schools in wins during that period.
The game was broadcast live on ESPN, with Dave Pasch providing play-by-play commentary, Dusty Dvoracek as the analyst, and Taylor McGregor reporting from the sidelines.
The Gator Bowl’s kickoff time was adjusted to 8 p.m. ET to accommodate the rescheduled Sugar Bowl, which was moved due to a tragic event in New Orleans. This change ensured that both games received appropriate broadcast slots on ESPN.
Attendance for the game was recorded at 31,290 spectators, who witnessed Ole Miss’s dominant performance and Dart’s record-setting achievements.
As of now, specific television viewership numbers for the Gator Bowl have not been publicly disclosed. Such data is typically released by Nielsen Media Research in the days following the event. Given the prominence of the teams and the prime-time broadcast slot, the game is anticipated to have garnered substantial viewership.
In summary, the 2025 Gator Bowl showcased Ole Miss’s offensive prowess and defensive strength, culminating in a decisive victory over Duke. The game further solidified the Rebels’ status as a formidable program under Coach Kiffin’s leadership.
