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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Sugar Buzz: Defense Gearing Up for Rematch With Georgia
12/29/2025 | Football
Presented by Kroger
OXFORD, Miss. – No. 6 Ole Miss (12-1, 7-1 SEC), coming off a dominant first-round win against Tulane, will take on the No. 3 Georgia in a rematch in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
The Rebels will look to avenge their only loss of the season on one of college football's biggest stages in New Orleans
Assistant coach Bryan Brown, defensive back Wydett Williams, defensive back Jaylen Braxton, defensive tackle Will Echoles, and linebacker TJ Dottery all met with the media in Oxford over the weekend to preview Thursday's 7 p.m. kickoff in New Orleans.
Rematch
Thursday's Sugar Bowl marks a rematch between Ole Miss and Georgia, with both teams carrying vivid memories from their last meeting. In that contest, Georgia controlled possession and never punted while converting consistently on third down. That reality that has not been forgotten during Ole Miss' bowl preparation.
The Rebels enter the Sugar Bowl riding momentum from last week's postseason-opening win over Tulane, a game that allowed Ole Miss to sharpen its execution before turning its full attention to Georgia.
"That game in Athens last time out was very frustrating," Dottery said. "We weren't able to capitalize on third and longs and just couldn't get them off the field. I feel like we've matured as the season has progressed and have been able to eliminate a lot of the 'my bad, my mistake" situations.
"Truthfully, we've just got to be a better defense. Not allowing them to punt once last time out isn't acceptable."
Defensive Adjustments
The Rebels' defense spent extended time this week focused on early-down execution and third-down efficiency.
Ole Miss used the Tulane game as a tune-up for those situations, forcing punts and limiting explosive plays while gaining confidence ahead of the Sugar Bowl. Georgia converted over 50 percent of its third downs in the previous matchup.
Braxton, who had a key interception against Tulane, highlighted the confidence the unit has gained late in the season.
"We've grown a lot since the last time we played Georgia," Braxton said. "Our communication is better. Our technique is better. We're just playing with more confidence. This is a chance for us to show that."
Ole Miss ranks among the SEC leaders in passes defended, a strength that could be tested against Georgia's balanced offensive approach.
Physicality
Stopping the run remains a major point of emphasis for the Rebels. The Bulldogs offense, led by coordinator Mike Bobo, averages over five yards per carry and wears down defenses with a strong committee at running back and up front on the offensive line.
Echoles said memories from the previous meeting have driven the intensity in practice.
"They didn't punt once," Echoles said. "As a defensive lineman, that sticks with you. This week has been about changing that narrative and making them earn everything."
Ole Miss has recorded multiple sacks in eight games this season, an area the Rebels hope can help flip field position Thursday night.
Flipping the Script
Williams pointed to communication as a defining factor for success and an area that the Rebels have been focusing on in practice leading up to the rematch vs. Georgia.
"It all starts with communication on the back end," Williams said. "If we're talking and playing fast, everything else falls into place."
OXFORD, Miss. – No. 6 Ole Miss (12-1, 7-1 SEC), coming off a dominant first-round win against Tulane, will take on the No. 3 Georgia in a rematch in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
The Rebels will look to avenge their only loss of the season on one of college football's biggest stages in New Orleans
Assistant coach Bryan Brown, defensive back Wydett Williams, defensive back Jaylen Braxton, defensive tackle Will Echoles, and linebacker TJ Dottery all met with the media in Oxford over the weekend to preview Thursday's 7 p.m. kickoff in New Orleans.
Rematch
Thursday's Sugar Bowl marks a rematch between Ole Miss and Georgia, with both teams carrying vivid memories from their last meeting. In that contest, Georgia controlled possession and never punted while converting consistently on third down. That reality that has not been forgotten during Ole Miss' bowl preparation.
The Rebels enter the Sugar Bowl riding momentum from last week's postseason-opening win over Tulane, a game that allowed Ole Miss to sharpen its execution before turning its full attention to Georgia.
"That game in Athens last time out was very frustrating," Dottery said. "We weren't able to capitalize on third and longs and just couldn't get them off the field. I feel like we've matured as the season has progressed and have been able to eliminate a lot of the 'my bad, my mistake" situations.
"Truthfully, we've just got to be a better defense. Not allowing them to punt once last time out isn't acceptable."
Defensive Adjustments
The Rebels' defense spent extended time this week focused on early-down execution and third-down efficiency.
Ole Miss used the Tulane game as a tune-up for those situations, forcing punts and limiting explosive plays while gaining confidence ahead of the Sugar Bowl. Georgia converted over 50 percent of its third downs in the previous matchup.
Braxton, who had a key interception against Tulane, highlighted the confidence the unit has gained late in the season.
"We've grown a lot since the last time we played Georgia," Braxton said. "Our communication is better. Our technique is better. We're just playing with more confidence. This is a chance for us to show that."
Ole Miss ranks among the SEC leaders in passes defended, a strength that could be tested against Georgia's balanced offensive approach.
Physicality
Stopping the run remains a major point of emphasis for the Rebels. The Bulldogs offense, led by coordinator Mike Bobo, averages over five yards per carry and wears down defenses with a strong committee at running back and up front on the offensive line.
Echoles said memories from the previous meeting have driven the intensity in practice.
"They didn't punt once," Echoles said. "As a defensive lineman, that sticks with you. This week has been about changing that narrative and making them earn everything."
Ole Miss has recorded multiple sacks in eight games this season, an area the Rebels hope can help flip field position Thursday night.
Flipping the Script
Williams pointed to communication as a defining factor for success and an area that the Rebels have been focusing on in practice leading up to the rematch vs. Georgia.
"It all starts with communication on the back end," Williams said. "If we're talking and playing fast, everything else falls into place."
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