Social media reacts to dominant Ole Miss defense in 1st half versus Louisville
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
With Lane Kiffin watching from home following a positive COVID-19 test, the Ole Miss Rebels have a 26-0 halftime lead over the Louisville Cardinals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The story has been the terrific defensive display the Rebels have shown thus far. Last year, they ranked last or near-last in the SEC in nearly every defensive category, but Monday was a much different story as they held the Cardinals to just 107 yards of total offense in the 1st half. It was the first time the Rebels had shut a team out in the 1st half in nearly 7 years.
Despite 54 yards rushing on 10 attempts, Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham ended up with just 17 yards on 5-of-13 passing while throwing an interception, his team turning it over on downs on the opening drive and seeing their next 3 ending on punts before his pick that led to another touchdown for the Rebels. A late flurry saw the Cardinals drive deep into Ole Miss territory before fumbling it on 4th down at the Louisville 25.
Here’s a sampling of the social media reaction to the Rebels’ performance:
Ole Miss with an actual defense becomes a very interesting team this season.
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) September 7, 2021
Ole Miss was 117th in scoring defense last year and Louisville can’t get a damn yard
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) September 7, 2021
Ole Miss' defense pitching a shutout thus far is about as surprising as them hanging 700 yards on Bama
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 7, 2021
WHERE did this Ole Miss Defense come from?
— Around The SEC (@around_sec) September 7, 2021
Ole Miss actually having a defense this season pic.twitter.com/KZ1RTl442h
— American Cover (@American__Cover) September 7, 2021
Louisville is making the Ole Miss defense look like the 1985 Chicago Bears.
— Alleghany Boys’ Tennis ?☠️ (@boystenniscoach) September 7, 2021
if you manage to go scoreless against Ole Miss's defense you should be banned from playing football for the rest of the season
— Lucy Rohden (@lucy_rohden) September 7, 2021
I’ve been saying Ole Miss could be the second best team in the SEC West this year- especially with that A&M game in Oxford.
I know it’s Louisville but this defense is much improved.
— Sheen (@SheensBets) September 7, 2021
https://twitter.com/nj_hill/status/1435058133332893700
Find someone who will look at you the way DJ Durkin has been looking at his defense in the first half. #OleMiss #hottytoddy
— Shandy Dill (@shandydill) September 7, 2021
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
