A Doak Walker Player National Player of the Week awardee, the leading rusher in the SEC and a pass blocking merchant, Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy has transformed the Rebel run game from an afterthought last season to a force to be reckoned with to start this season.
“I mean, (Kewan Lacy’s) just really good, you know?” Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin said following the Kentucky game, played in Lexington, Ky., on Saturday, Sept. 6. “And, we had Quinshon (Judkins) for those two years, and he’s a great running back. But then we went a year without it (last season). You can see it’s hard. It’s hard in the SEC when the passing game is not working great or you’re not protecting,”
On Sept. 6, Ole Miss fought off Kentucky’s upset bid and held on for the 30-23 win — due in large part to Lacy’s efforts.
Lacy, a former Missouri Tiger, rushed 28 times for 138 yards and a touchdown against the Wildcats. Ole Miss found itself down 10-0 early in the second quarter when quarterback Austin Simmons connected with wide receiver Harrison Wallace for a 55-yard strike on fourth-and-1. Lacy then powered in Ole Miss’ first score of the game seconds later.
Lacy’s vision, resilience and elusiveness are impressive, but perhaps his most underrated trait is his pass blocking.
On the fourth-and-1 play prior to Lacy’s touchdown, Ole Miss ran a play action that forced Lacy into pass protection — a position he has succeeded in numerous times already this season. His efforts aided Simmons’ ability to find Wallace for the game-changing conversion.
During Tuesday’s press conference, Lacy emphasized the importance of physicality in pass blocking.
“I feel like it’s more so just a mentality,” Lacy said. “You have to go out there and be willing to put your body on the line and protect the quarterback at all costs.“
Lacy’s performance Saturday not only helped Ole Miss start the season 2-0, but also garnered national attention by earning him recognition as the Doak Walker National Player of the Week — an award given to the most outstanding running back.
“It just gives me like a boost knowing that I’ve been acknowledged for something, and I just feel like it’s just going to keep me driving forward,” Lacy said in Tuesday’s press conference.
Lacy leads the SEC in rushing attempts (44), rushing yards (246) and rushing touchdowns (4). Last season, Ole Miss had only one rusher in the Top 30 in the conference, and that was quarterback Jaxson Dart at No. 30 with 495 yards.
In just two games, Lacy is already nearly halfway to Dart’s 2024-25 season total. To Kiffin, this improvement in the rushing attack is striking.
“(The ground game) was awesome. I mean, I just tell you how it is, we didn’t have that a year ago, and so it’s really good to have it back,” Kiffin said following Ole Miss’ season opener versus Georgia State. “I was looking forward to that and kind of thinking (Lacy) was (going to) play like that because that’s how he practices.”
The 63-7 Week 1 win over Georgia State and last weekend’s win over Kentucky earned Ole Miss No. 17 in the AP Poll. ESPN’s 2025 SEC football preview placed the Rebels “in the running” for the College Football Playoffs. Lacy, though, is not daunted by these high expectations.
“Really, I just take it day by day and whatever God gives me, you know, that’s what I just go with,” Lacy said. “And I feel like He is just giving me the best right now. So I’m thankful for that.”
