OXFORD — You’ve probably heard a lot about the 1961 Ole Miss football team over the last few days. And, given the circumstances, the 2024 edition of the Rebels finds itself in the best possible company with a team from more than six decades ago.

Ole Miss (3-0) has yet to give up a touchdown through three games this season, having outscored the opposition 168-9. It’s the first time since 1961 that the Rebels have held their first three opponents without a touchdown. Ole Miss is second nationally in scoring offense at 56 points per game and is tied for first in scoring defense at three points per game allowed.

The 1961 Rebels, coached by the legendary John Vaught, finished the season 9-2 and ranked fifth in the final AP Poll. Those Rebels finished the season fifth nationally in scoring offense at 29.6 points per game and second in scoring defense at 3.6 points per game allowed.

Football has changed a lot over the last six decades — three Rebels quarterbacks combined to throw for 2,019 yards and 19 touchdowns in 10 regular-season games in 1961; Jaxson Dart already has 1,172 passing yards and eight touchdowns in three games. But when history is made, comparisons are warranted with the proper context.

The Daily Journal — with help from Ole Miss’ historians and archivists — obtained box scores from the first three games of the 1961 season. Just how dominant was the 1961 team through its first three games, and how does it compare to what the 2024 Rebels have done? Let’s take a look.

Note: A full, official, final box score was not available for the Kentucky game in 1961, which has created a four-yard disparity in total yardage for Ole Miss’ opponents compared to the three-game cumulative provided by Ole Miss.

Through three games

1961 — outscored Arkansas, Kentucky and Florida State 69-6

2024 — outscored Furman, Middle Tennessee and Wake Forest 168-9

The 1961 Rebels gave up a total of 526 yards of offense in their first three games — or 522, depending on the box score used — an average of just 175.3 yards per game. They averaged 388.7 yards of offense (1,166 total). Opposing quarterbacks completed 35.4% of their passes (17 of 48) for 216 yards and threw four interceptions. Rebels quarterbacks completed 59.5 of their passes (25 of 42) for 422 yards with four touchdowns and an interception. The running game ruled college football in the 1960s, and the Rebels outrushed teams an average of 248-103.3 yards per game through their first three games of 1961. The 1961 Ole Miss team held two of its first three opponents scoreless.

The 2024 Rebels gave up a total of 761 yards of offense in their first three games, an average of 253.6 yards per game. Opposing quarterbacks have completed 58.6% of their passes (68 of 116) for 661 yards and have thrown three interceptions. Ole Miss passers are 82 of 110 (74.5%) for 1,303 yards with nine touchdowns and one interception. The Rebels have outrushed teams an average of 257.7-33.3 yards per game through three games in 2024. Ole Miss held Furman scoreless in the season opener.

Game 1

In 1961, Ole Miss opened its season with a 16-0 win over Arkansas. In that game, Ole Miss outgained the Razorbacks 375-108. Arkansas threw for just 16 yards (2 of 9) in the game with an interception and ran for 92 yards on 2.62 yards per carry. Ole Miss threw for 116 yards (7 of 8) and ran for 259 yards on 4.98 yards per carry. Arkansas picked up just eight first downs compared to 18 for Ole Miss. Arkansas finished the season 8-3.

In 2024, Ole Miss opened the year with a 76-0 victory over Furman. Ole Miss outgained the Paladins 772-172. Furman threw for 146 yards (19 of 34) and an interception and ran for 26 yards on 0.9 yards per carry, and the Rebels threw for a program record 529 yards (29 of 45) and six touchdown passes. Ole Miss ran for 243 yards on 6.6 yards per carry. Furman picked up seven first downs compared to 37 for Ole Miss. Furman, an FCS program, is 1-2 through three games.

Game 2

Ole Miss played at Kentucky the second game of the 1961 season, and the Rebels came away with a 20-6 win. Kentucky actually outgained the Rebels 305-271. Kentucky threw for 166 yards (12 of 29) and two interceptions and ran for 139 yards. Ole Miss threw for 137 yards (9 of 15) and an interception and ran for 134 yards. Kentucky picked up a total of 18 first downs compared to 13 for the Rebels. Kentucky’s two field goals were the lone points the Rebels surrendered in their first three games. Kentucky finished the season 5-5.

Ole Miss played Middle Tennessee in the second of 2024, a 52-3 victory. Ole Miss outgained the Blue Raiders 655-278. Middle Tennessee threw for 250 yards (25 of 40) and an interception and ran for 28 yards on 1.1 yards per carry. Ole Miss threw for 397 yards (27 of 31) and a touchdown and ran for 258 yards on 6.1 yards per carry. Ole Miss picked up 34 first downs compared to 18 for Middle Tennessee. Middle Tennessee is 1-2 through three games.

Game 3

Ole Miss defeated Florida State 33-0 in the third game of the 1961 season. Ole Miss outgained Florida State 520-109. Florida State threw for just 34 yards (3 of 10) and an interception and ran for 75 yards on 2.03 yards per carry. Ole Miss threw for 169 yards (9 of 19) and ran for 351 yards on 6.05 yards per carry. Ole Miss picked up 28 first downs compared to eight for the Seminoles. Florida State finished the season 4-5-1.

Ole Miss defeated Wake Forest 40-6 in Game 3 of the 2024 season. Ole Miss outgained the Demon Deacons 649-311. Wake Forest threw for 265 yards (24 of 42) with an interception and ran for 46 yards on 1.4 yards per carry. Ole Miss threw for 377 yards and two touchdowns (26 of 34) with two touchdowns and ran for 272 yards on six yards per carry. Ole Miss picked up 33 first downs compared to 21 for the Demon Deacons. Wake Forest is 1-2 through three games.