The Associated Press Ole Miss defensive tackle J.J. Pegues, after lining up on offense, celebrates after gaining 8 yards on a fourth-and-1 run on a direct snap in the third quarter.

ATLANTA — Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State’s 38-25 loss to Mississippi on Saturday at the Peach Bowl in Mercedes-Benz Stadium:

Play of the game: On third-and-9 from the PSU 14, leading 23-17, Mississippi caught the Nittany Lions in a blitz, and Jaxson Hart found a wide-open Quinshon Judkins for an easy touchdown with 4:10 left in the third quarter.

Offensive player of the game: Hart completed 25-of-40 for 379 yards and three touchdowns. He was not intercepted.

Defensive player of the game: Ole Miss defensive end Jared Ivey made six tackles, including sacks, broke up two passes and forced and recovered a fumble.

Most telling statistic: Penn State allowed 394 yards passing. The most the Lions gave up this season was 286 yards at Ohio State.

Hidden statistic: Ole Miss outgained the Nits 139-14 in the third quarter, when the game was won.

Most deceiving statistic: The Lions gained 510 yards and averaged 7.5 yards per play. (Ole Miss averaged 6.1).

Best run: Up 23-17 in the third quarter, on third-and-5 from the Old Miss 48, Judkins took a pitch for 13 to sustain a scoring drive that resulted in a 31-17 lead.

Best pass: Beau Pribula found Nick Singleton for a 48-yard score in the second quarter, pulling the Nits within 20-17.

Worst pass: Too many to count. Let’s go with Drew Allar’s interception that, though he was hit, was lofted and easily picked by Daijahn Anthony. Pribula also air-mailed a lateral to Allar, who was going to throw it.

Best catch: Ole Miss’ Caden Prieskorn made a nifty toe tap at the sideline after reeling in a 20-yard second-quarter pass.

Catch it, will ya: Trey Wallace dropped a catchable TD, Khalil Dinkins dropped one in third quarter, and Trey Potts had a second-quarter drop.

Hold it, won’t ya: Allar fumbled.

Best block: Malick Meiga hustled to block downfield on Tyler Warren’s long catch and run.

Best tackle: Ivey’s fourth-quarter sack (of Allar) resulted in a fumble that he recovered.

Best hit: Ole Miss gunner Jamious Griffin nailed Nick Singleton at the PSU 11 on a first-quarter kickoff return.

Best kick: Caden Davis’ 53-yard field goal gave Ole Miss a 23-17 lead in the third quarter.

Worst kick: Not holding the block field goal against Alex Felkins.

Best call: On fourth-and-1 from the PSU 47 in the first quarter, flanker Ole Miss flanker Jordan Watkins, a lefty passer, came around and threw a 15-yard completion to Dart, who had leaked up the left sideline.

Worst call(s): Penn State got away from the run too often.

Best effort: Warren made a one-handed snag of a tipped ball (by Ole Miss’ Cedric Melton) and rumbled 75 yards to the Rebels’ 5 on the last play of the first quarter to set up a 10-10 tie.

Unsung hero: Prieskorn was outstanding, making 10 catches for 136 yards.

Best moment: Joe Paterno’s widow, Sue, was part of the halftime show honoring past winners of the Bobby Dodd coaching award and drew a big ovation from the PSU faithful.