In a stunning upset, Lane Kiffin's Ole Miss Rebels emerged victorious in the Peach Bowl against the heavily favored Penn State Nittany Lions. The Rebels, who entered the game as 5.5-point underdogs, used the doubt surrounding their chances as motivation, as evidenced by Kiffin's response to a tweet questioning Penn State's confidence. Quarterback Jaxson Dart was the star of the game, throwing for an impressive 379 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for another score. Dart's performance outshined Penn State's highly touted quarterback prospect Drew Allar.

Tight end Caden Preiskorn was a key target for Dart throughout the game, hauling in 10 catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns. The connection between Dart and Preiskorn proved to be a crucial factor in Ole Miss' offensive success.

Interestingly, the Nittany Lions opened as 3.5-point favorites but saw the spread move to 5.5 points leading up to the Peach Bowl. Despite the confidence of some big sports bettors in Penn State, the Rebels defied the odds and emerged victorious. Prior to the game, Ole Miss was considered a +160 underdog on the moneyline.

Even Giants legend Eli Manning weighed in on the game, suggesting that Penn State needed a spark at quarterback. Manning referenced a commercial he did in 2022, where he pretended to be a walk-on for Penn State, and mentioned the fictional character Chad Powers. Manning's comment added another layer of intrigue to the game.

Penn State's highly ranked run defense failed to deliver in the crucial moments, as running back Quinshon Judkins ran for 106 yards on 34 carries, wearing down the Nittany Lions' defense.

The victory marked a historic achievement for Ole Miss, as it secured the program's first-ever 11-win season. Under the leadership of fourth-year coach Lane Kiffin, the Rebels have experienced a rapid turnaround, winning 10 games in Kiffin's second year. Kiffin expressed his belief that the team is just getting started and on its way to something special.

Penn State coach James Franklin attributed the team's struggles to various challenges leading up to the Peach Bowl, including players opting out to prepare for the NFL and recent changes to the coaching staff. Franklin acknowledged that these factors contributed to the team's inability to achieve the desired success in the game.

The dominant performance by tight end Caden Preiskorn, who accounted for three touchdowns, was a surprise to many. Preiskorn, who announced his decision to return for his final year of eligibility in 2024, had only recorded 20 catches and two touchdowns during the regular season. His impact in the Peach Bowl showcased his potential for the upcoming season.

As the game concluded, the Ole Miss team chanted "S-E-C!" in celebration of the Southeastern Conference's triumph over a Big Ten opponent. The Rebels' victory highlighted the strength of the SEC and added to the conference's reputation.

Looking ahead, Ole Miss is scheduled to open the 2024 season at home against Furman, while the Nittany Lions will kick off their next season against West Virginia in August.

The Associated Press contributed to this report, and for more sports coverage, readers can follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.