There might not be a quarterback in the SEC more comparable to Garrett Nussmeier than Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart.
Statistically, Dart and Nussmeier rank first and second in passing yards this season, respectively.
Dart leads the SEC with 2,100 passing yards, 448 yards more than Nussmeier, who has 1,652 yards on the season. Dart also completed 73.4% of his passes compared to Nussmeier’s 69.7% completion rate.
However, Nussmeier has 15 passing touchdowns on the season compared to Dart’s 13 scores through the air.
It’s obvious that both quarterbacks thrive off their pass games, but for how similar they are, here’s where they separate themselves.
Run game
When it comes to running the ball, Dart is significantly more effective.
So far this season, Dart has 156 rushing yards on 44 carries and three touchdowns. In his last two seasons at Ole Miss, he ran for 1,005 yards on 247 carries and nine touchdowns.
Nussmeier, however, has not had the same success. This season, he’s run for -5 yards on six carries. However, he does have two rushing touchdowns on the season, both of which came against South Alabama.
In his past three seasons, Nussmeier’s run for -58 yards on seven carries. While Nussmeier doesn’t run the ball nearly as much as Dart, he hasn’t come up so lucky when he does.
Most success on downs
Dart is most efficient in the pass game on first and second down.
On first downs, Dart’s completed 67-of-87 (77%) passes for 1,086 yards and six touchdowns. On second down, he’s completed 47-of-62 (75.8%) passes for 760 yards and five touchdowns.
Nussmeier, on the other hand, has completed 64-of-91 (70.3%) passes for 842 yards and nine touchdowns on first down. On second down, he’s completed 41-of-61 (67.2%) passes for 487 yards and three touchdowns.
While Dart has found more efficiency in extending drives through the air on first and second downs, Nussmeier has been able to find the end zone more on early downs.
But when their offenses need a play on third or fourth down, both quarterbacks are able to convert through the air. While Dart looks to throw the ball more on first and second down, Nussmeier has looked to throw the ball on third and fourth down considerably more.
Nussmeier’s completed 32-of-42 (76.2%) passes for an average of 7.6 yards and three touchdowns on third down this season. On fourth down, however, Nussmeier’s completed just one of four passes for three yards.
On the other hand, Dart’s completed 11-of-20 (55%) passes on third down for an average of 8.2 yards and a touchdown. He’s also completed two of four of his passes on fourth down for 90 yards and a score.
Nussmeier has found more success on third down, but Dart has been able to convert more on fourth downs when the opportunity presents itself.
Against South Carolina
The one common opponent that both LSU and Ole Miss have is South Carolina, and they both played the Gamecocks on the road.
In both games, despite the Gamecocks’ loss, South Carolina’s pass rush was a factor. However, Dart escaped pressure more.
On four quarterback hurries from South Carolina, Dart was sacked once. He avoiding the rush by running for 44 yards on eight carries. He also completed 14 of his 27 passes (51.8%) for 285 yards.
Nussmeier also threw for 285 yards against the Gamecocks. But he completed 24 of his 40 passes (60%) and threw two touchdowns.
However, Nussmeier was sacked twice and ran for -24 net yards on two carries. South Carolina’s defense pressured him six times.
In both wins, both quarterbacks leaned on their strengths, and they may have to do so again when the Rebels and the Tigers face off.
