After a heartbreaking loss in Austin, Texas, last week, Rebel football bounced back on Oct. 31 with a second-half surge against Auburn at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. With Ole Miss’ playoff hopes against the wall, they played a solid game in Week 9. Here are three takeaways from the Rebels’ victory over the Tigers.
Next-man-up mentality in the receiving corps
If the Rebels had lost this game to Auburn, Ole Miss fans would largely blame wide receiver Deuce Alexander.
The Rebels’ go-to receiver, Alexander, has not looked himself recently, struggling for periods of each of the past three games. With what will likely go down as a lowlight of the season for Ole Miss, Alexander saw a double pass from fellow receiver Traylon Ray bounce out of his hands. The play would have been an easy touchdown.
Alexander’s day only got worse when he was unable to corral a catchable ball from quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, seeing the ball careen high and caught by Auburn’s AnQuon Fegans, putting the Rebels in an uncomfortable position while the game was still close.
Adding a muffed punt that was luckily recovered by Ole Miss, Alexander certainly had a day to forget. While many will harp on his struggles, the efforts of the receiving corps showed great signs for the remainder of the season.
Auburn transfer Horatio Fields showed his former side what they are missing today, reeling in six receptions for 73 yards and adding a touchdown that put Ole Miss completely out of reach for the Tigers.
Former five-star prospect and sophomore receiver Caleb Cunningham continued to establish himself as a leading option for Chambliss, equaling Fields’ stat line of six receptions and a touchdown, though falling short of Fields’ yardage, accumulating 55 himself.
Junior tight end Caleb Odom added his own spectacular catch, hauling in a 34-yard completion from Chambliss with one hand. While it was Odom’s lone reception for the day, it was the prettiest play the Rebels made all day.
Alexander will still be Chambliss’ favorite target, as this is likely just a rough patch for the touted future NFL receiver, though it is comforting to see the depth in the receivers room step up when its leading man is having an off day.
Golding’s defense can be great. It just needs to play with more discipline
There is no question that Pete Golding has the personnel to put together a great defense in Oxford. The Rebels have playmakers across the defensive line and secondary, and Saturday showed just how disruptive this unit can be.
Ole Miss held Auburn to just 228 total yards, including 61 rushing yards. The Tigers struggled to establish a consistent running game and finished with just 15 points.
The defensive front consistently got into Auburn’s backfield, while the secondary limited the Tigers’ downfield opportunities. Auburn converted just six of its 12 third-down attempts. Though the Tigers were highly efficient on third down in the first half, Ole Miss did not allow a point in the fourth quarter.
Edge rusher Suntarine Perkins had a standout day, sacking Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown twice while adding a crucial pass break up on a third down play, forcing the Tigers to punt.
However, the Rebels still have some things to clean up. Penalties remained a problem for Golding’s defense. Ole Miss finished with six penalties for 70 yards, compared to Auburn’s seven for 52 yards. While the Rebels were not penalized as frequently as the Tigers, the yardage surrendered was costly.
The defensive holding penalties were particularly frustrating, extending Auburn’s final possession before halftime and allowing the Tigers to add three points going into the break.
Those are the types of mistakes that can completely change a game against better competition. Ole Miss has the ability to get opposing offenses off the field, but it cannot continue giving opponents extra opportunities through unnecessary penalties.
The Rebel defense has shown that it can pressure quarterbacks, create negative plays and limit opposing offenses. The next step is putting together a complete performance without giving away free yards.
Trinidad Chambliss is finally getting the help he needs
For much of the season, Chambliss has been asked to do just about everything for the Ole Miss offense. When the Rebels needed a big play, the quarterback was often the one expected to make it happen.
That became particularly evident against Texas, when Ole Miss struggled to establish a consistent rushing attack and Chambliss was forced into difficult situations. His three interceptions only made matters worse.
Against Auburn, the Rebels showed what their offense can look like when Chambliss has some help around him.
Shekai Mills-Knight’s emergence gives Ole Miss another legitimate option in the running game. The freshman finished with 71 yards and a touchdown, while Makhi Frazier added 40 yards on 14 carries. Together, the two helped the Rebels finish with 181 rushing yards.
Cunningham’s increased involvement was another important development, giving Chambliss another weapon. Chambliss finished the afternoon completing 22 of 34 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns. He also added 65 rushing yards and a touchdown, for three total scores.
The quarterback still threw an interception, though it was not his fault, but he did not have to carry the entire offense himself.
The Rebels finished with 487 total yards and scored 45 points against Auburn. That type of offensive production is exactly what Ole Miss needs moving forward.
Chambliss has already proven that he can be a difference-maker for this team. However, the Rebels will need consistent production from their running backs and receiving corps if they want to compete with the best teams in the SEC.
Saturday reminded fans that Ole Miss has the talent to give its quarterback the support he needs. Now, the Rebels need to make sure it continues.
