As the rain fell in the Grove, Ole Miss partied like there was no tomorrow as it prepared for the highly anticipated start of the 2024 football season. Tickets for every game sold out months ago; there’s a buzz around the program that nobody has ever seen. Sure, opening with Furman from the FCS ranks might not be how Ole Miss fans would have wanted. Still, Lane Kiffin and his staff delivered a show for the Rebels to munch on as an appetizer before the Southeastern Conference slate on the 28th of September against Kentucky.

Unlike many in the conference, Ole Miss will knock out all four nonconference matchups during September before shifting the focus to the grind of the Southeastern Conference. Saturday night was the first chapter in the 2024 book of memories for the Rebels, as they welcomed FCS powerhouse Furman to Vaught Hemingway Stadium for a tune-up before playing Middle Tennessee State on Saturday.

Without further ado, here are three takeaways from the Furman game for the Ole Miss Rebels.

First, Coach Lane Kiffin will do everything he can to position Jaxson Dart to win the Heisman for Ole Miss. Dart threw for 418 yards, five touchdowns, and no interceptions—video game numbers for the first game of the 2024 season. For Ole Miss fans, Jaxson Dart’s generational talent will be the difference maker for the Rebels in their quest for the College Football Playoff.

Second, Ole Miss fans are hungry to support the Rebels this season. Despite gully-washing rain storms before the game, Ole Miss fans packed Vaught Hemingway Stadium as 66, 105 filled the stands to support the Rebels in the season opener against Furman. Unlike in years past, many students and fans stayed for all four quarters to show enthusiasm for this year’s Ole Miss Football team.

Lastly, Pete Golding and his defensive unit held Furman scoreless, holding them to 172 yards of total offense. Ole Miss forced an interception and caused havoc for the visitors from Furman as the Rebels showcased the vast improvements made from last season. Ole Miss applied the pressure early, causing Furman to give up five sacks and sixteen tackles for losses.

The 76 points scored was the most in the Lane Kiffin era, and the Rebels will shift the focus to Middle Tennessee State out of the Conference USA on Saturday afternoon at Vaught Hemingway Stadium.