For the first time since September 9th, the Ole Miss Rebels returned home Saturday afternoon and dropped the Vanderbilt Commodores 57-35. Their first conference win of the season, the 3-3 (1-2 SEC) Rebels now sit fifth in the SEC West, ahead of Mississippi State and just trailing Louisiana State University.
The Rebels played a balanced first half as their offense exploded for 35 points in 30 minutes of play. Out of the 356 total yards of offense in the first half, 107 were gained on the ground. Jordan Wilkins stood out with 82 yards and a touchdown, not including a 75-yard touchdown run that was erased by a holding call. For the first time this season, Shea Patterson did not have to shoulder the responsibility of moving the ball.
Patterson himself added 249 passing yards in the half. The sophomore signal-caller had three touchdowns through the air and a hard-earned touchdown run, spraying successful passes to DaMarkus Lodge, D.K. Metcalf and A.J. Brown. Brown had a 58-yard touchdown reception, and Lodge added two scores. Metcalf had a highlight reel grab off the defender’s helmet, setting up a resulting score.
The Ole Miss scoring outburst was aided by the defense’s ability to stop Vanderbilt. Entering the game, the Rebels only had four sacks. In the first half alone, the “Landshark” defense added a further five. Marquis Haynes and DeMarquis Gates were credited with two apiece. Haynes forced a fumble deep in Ole Miss territory on one of his sacks, while Javien Hamilton gave the offense a short field with an interception. The defense still had trouble stopping the run, but impressive defensive efforts pinned the Commodores in their own territory.
The momentum from the first half continued into the second half. Marquis Haynes added his third sack and second forced fumble, picking up a safety. The offense capitalized on short field position as A.J. Brown scored his second receiving touchdown of the game, this time for 29 yards. The defense held Vanderbilt to one touchdown for most of the second half. The second was a late score between both second teams. Coach Matt Luke was proud of the way his team rebounded from their three-game slide.
“There was a totally different feel on the sideline,” Luke said. “It was fun to watch our defense fly around and our offense get our tempo and balance going. It was a team win. That was what we needed.”
Shea Patterson finished his second consecutive game without a turnover. He totaled 351 yards and four touchdowns through the air with one on the ground. A.J. Brown got back to his normal, dominant self, adding 174 yards and two touchdowns of his own. Jordan Wilkins eclipsed the century mark on the ground, amassing 113 yards and a touchdown. The team as a whole ran for 252 yards. Wilkins has settled into a rhythm lately, crediting the play calling and offensive line.
“We are just trying to get better from week to week,” Wilkins said. “Our offensive line has been playing well, getting me some space. I am just trying to capitalize on that. We are simplifying the game plan.”
Marquis Haynes’ three sacks elevated his career total to 29, setting a new school. Defensive coordinator Wesley McGriff credited Haynes’ resurgence to work done in practice.
“He is playing with a lot of speed,” McGriff said. “Me and coach Roach wanted to get him into a better position and just told him to play the pass.”
Matt Luke, his coaching staff and the players harped on the second half of the Auburn being the turning point of the season. If Saturday’s result was any indication, they might be onto something.
The Rebels now turn their attention towards Saturday’s rivalry match with SEC heavyweight LSU. Kickoff is slated for 7:15 p.m. in Oxford, Mississippi.
