The Rebels started off strong against Tulane at Saturday’s football game and never looked back. They won the game 45-10 and advanced to 4-0 on the season. Both the offense and defense had stellar performances, and the Rebels now have momentum heading into the rest of the season.
The defense looks much improved
This was the second game in a row that the Rebels have failed to register the sack. Their four total sacks on the season are concerning, and in this game, they did not tally a tackle for loss until the second half.
The Rebels also failed to contain Tulane quarterback Jake Retzlaff multiple times. On one occasion, Retzlaff slipped through a collapsed pocket for a 41-yard scramble. Additionally, they went the entire first half without a tackle for loss.
Ole Miss’ only takeaway of the game came with less than two minutes left, when Tulane’s backup quarterback heaved a deep pall right into the waiting arms to Rebel defensive back Cedric Beavers.
Still, the defense played much better than it did last week against Arkansas. The Rebels had 11 quarterback hurries, including three pressures on the first drive by defensive end Kam Franklin. In the second half, the Rebels stymied any hope of a comeback by forcing three straight turnovers on downs and a punt. Tulane’s only touchdown of the game came late in the fourth quarter.
Additionally, Retzlaff did not complete a pass until his tenth attempt. In the first half, the Green Wave had only 11 passing yards. In a postgame press conference, Kiffin applauded his defense’s ability to stop the plays that burnt the Rebels against Arkansas.
“I thought our guys played their assignments really well, and obviously it was a huge emphasis because you’re going to see those are what good coaches do, so you’re going to see the same plays that you didn’t stop the week before,” Kiffin said. “So (there was) a lot of emphasis on the quarterback pulling it and how to play that.”
The defense clearly adjusted to help nullify the shortcomings against Arkansas, especially the 115 rushing yards that the Rebels yielded to Razorback quarterback Taylen Green.
“I thought that it was a really good game plan against (Retzlaff), and that’s what you expect from Pete Golding,” Kiffin said. “They may get you the one week, but you’re going back to work and perform like that the following week.
Quarterback controversy is at an all-time high
Trinidad Chambliss became only the fourth player in Ole Miss history to register more than 300 passing yards and 100 rushing yards in a single game. He finished the day with 307 passing yards, two passing touchdowns and no turnovers. His 112 rushing yards also led Ole Miss.
Chambliss looked more comfortable leading the offense against Tulane than he did against Arkansas. He strayed away from checkdowns and screen plays, and his increased confidence opened up the playbook for downfield throws. Chambliss had six throws of 20 yards or more.
“Coach Weiss always deals up great plays for our playmakers and our receiver room is unbelievable,” Chambliss said in a postgame press conference. “Deuce (Alexander), Tre (Harrison Wallace III), Strib (De’Zhaun Stribling), Cayden (Lee), Winnie (Watkins) and obviously Dae’Quan (Wright), as well. If that’s what the defense is giving us, then we’re going to take what they’re giving us.”
Chambliss’ poise was on full display to start the game. He had three straight completions and a 41-yard run before overthrowing a wide-open Wright in the endzone. He followed up this mistake with a five-yard strike to Wright for the first score.
One of Chambliss’ most impressive skills is taking care of the ball — which is, in contrast, one of Austin Simmons’s biggest weaknesses. Simmons’s four first quarter interceptions were problematic. In Chambliss’s two starts, he has not turned the ball over at all.
“Yeah, I thought that Trinidad played really well,” Kiffin said. “The most important thing he did was not turning the ball over two weeks in a row, because if you do that, you win a lot of games.”
LSU will pose a big challenge to the Rebels. In terms of the quarterback position, Kiffin was noncommittal during the press conference about who would start against the Tigers. He put heavy emphasis on Simmons’s injury.
“Trinidad played really well, Austin (Simmons) was playing really well before he got hurt and I don’t know where Austin will be exactly,” Kiffin said. “(Simmons) was available, he was not 100%, but he could have gone in today if we needed him.”
LSU’s defense forced Florida’s DJ Lagway to throw five interceptions Week 3, but only managed to beat the Gators 20-10. Whether Chambliss or Simmons starts next week, taking care of the football will be of critical importance.
Even if Simmons starts, he may take some time to acclimate to game speed. Do not be surprised if Chambliss starts against the Tigers.
The star-studded offense is just that — star-studded
Running back Kewan Lacy established himself as the feature running back in this offense after the Kentucky game, when he rushed for 138 yards and a touchdown. In this game, he had 68 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Wide receiver Deuce Alexander also showed up in a big way. He contorted his body like an acrobat to bring in multiple deep balls. had multiple deep catches that he had to twist and adjust his body to catch. With 94 receiving yards — including a 33-yard touchdown reception — he was the Rebels’ leading receiver.
“Oh yeah, all of our receivers have been making those plays all summer, (and in) fall camp and it just shows that they constantly do this, and it’s not just a fluke when it happens in the game,” Chambliss said.
Tight end Wright was an explosive receiving force and a target in the red zone. Despite Chambliss’ misfire at the back of the end zone on the opening drive, Wright stayed focused and caught a five-yard touchdown pass on the following play. He also had a 53-yard catch that helped set up a Logan Diggs rushing touchdown.
In every game this season, at least six different players have gotten a reception. One of the most impressive aspects of this offense is the distribution of wealth. For instance, wide receiver Cayden Lee had two games with under 15 receiving yards, but he also finished other games with 75 and 60 yards. Clearly, the offense does not play favorites, and Chambliss is blessed with several capable targets.
What’s next?
Overall, Ole Miss played great. Entering this game, the Rebels had 22 penalties and 200 penalty yards on the season, but against Tulane, Ole Miss had only three penalties for 35 yards. If the Rebels do not make harmful mistakes, Ole Miss is one of the best teams in college football.
No. 13 Ole Miss takes on No. 4 LSU at home at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27. The game will air on ABC.
