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No. 23 Ole Miss uses big 1st half to hammer No. 12 Georgia

Shanna Lockwood / USA TODAY Sports

OXFORD, Miss. - Chad Kelly threw for 282 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score to lead No. 23 Ole Miss over No. 12 Georgia 45-14 on Saturday.

The Rebels (2-2, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) dominated every phase of the game, building a lead of 31-0 by halftime and 45-0 by midway through the third quarter.

Ole Miss broke a 10-game losing streak in the series dating to 1996.

Georgia (3-1, 1-1) lost its first game under new coach Kirby Smart and looked overmatched. To make matters worse, star running back Nick Chubb injured an ankle in the second quarter and didn't return.

It was an impressive win for the Rebels, who finally built a big lead they didn't give away. Ole Miss led Florida State by 22 points and Alabama by 21 this season before losing both games.

Kelly was sharp from the opening series, completing 18 of 24 passes and adding a 41-yard touchdown run right through the middle of the Georgia defense. Tight end Evan Engram led the Rebels with six catches for 95 yards.

Brian Herrien led the Bulldogs with 78 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Freshman quarterback Jacob Eason had a tough day, completing just 16 of 36 passes for 137 yards and an interception.

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