OXFORD − Ole Miss football wideout Tre Harris had a huge game against Kentucky. He was alone.

In the Rebels' 20-17 loss to the Wildcats last week, Harris racked up 176 receiving yards on 11 catches. The rest of the team combined for 85 receiving yards on seven catches; four of which came from running backs.

Receiver Juice Wells recorded zero catches and was targeted just twice in an extreme departure from his season averages of 68 receiving yards and a touchdown. Tight end Caden Prieskorn was targeted once on a desperation pass late in the game that he hauled in for 42 yards.

The Rebels ran a season-low 58 plays against Kentucky, 20 snaps below their season average. Going 1-for-10 on third-down conversations and Kentucky's methodical, clock-chewing drives kept quarterback Jaxson Dart and his unit on the sideline.

"There's only so many shots when you're not making third downs and not in rhythm and you're in 50-play type games," coach Lane Kiffin said Monday. "Players always want the ball more. It's just natural. That sounds great, but who do you want to take it away from? Do you want Tre (Harris) to only have five touches in that game?"

No. 12 Ole Miss (4-1, 0-1 SEC) will need to get better at third down conversions and getting off the field defensively for its offense to return to normal when the Rebels play at South Carolina (3-1, 1-1) on Saturday (2:30 p.m., ESPN).

Kiffin also cited his desire to get tight end Dae'Quan Wright involved when asked about Prieskorn's quiet start to the season (10 catches).

"We have two really good tight ends that rotate ... sometimes numbers happen not by design. ... I would love for everyone to touch the ball, but it doesn't work that way when you go 1-for-10 on 3rd down," Kiffin said.

And as for running back touches, Kiffin said little to inspire confidence that senior running back Ulysses Bentley would get a late-season surge in opportunity. Running backs Henry Parrish and Matt Jones have outcarried Bentley, who was listed as a co-starter on the preseason depth chart.

Bentley has totaled 16 carries, compared to Parrish's 70. Last week's game was his first one this season without a carry.

"It's a fair question," Kiffin said. "I get asked that every week. It's nothing against Bentley, it’s just how it is. But I can't predict how the future is going to go."

Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss football coach Lane Kiffin explains Juice Wells vs Kentucky