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Ole Miss woke up Sunday morning with a new outlook on a .500 season. From what looked like the possibility of no bowl game, a true freshman has given Ole Miss a legitimate shot at eight wins.
Hours after having his redshirt removed, Shea Patterson figured out an SEC defense in the second half of a 29-28 win at No. 8 Texas A&M. He threw for 338 yards on 25-of-42 passing with a pair of touchdowns and an expected freshman-like pick.
The Rebels (5-5) saw hope lost when Chad Kelly went down for the season. However, the season has been revived by a true freshman and a team that rallied around him with the best second half of the year.
5 TAKEAWAYS
Freshmen all over the field: Patterson completed passes to seven receivers, including four to fellow true freshman A.J. Brown for a game-high 77 yards. The interception that sealed the win also came from a freshman, DB Deontay Anderson.
Give the D some credit: Ole Miss looked lost on defense in the first half. In the second half, Texas A&M scored one touchdown. Even on that drive, the Aggies had to convert three third downs of five or more yards. DE Fadol Brown was disruptive. He led the Rebels with 6 tackles.
Judd finishing strong: The senior running back hasn’t been immune to Ole Miss’ running troubles. But for the third time this season, Judd had a 100-yard game. He had an even 100 on 20 carries and was often a needed transition to Patterson’s passing.
Judd big for TOP, too: Ole Miss had the ball more than Texas A&M. With more than 33 minutes on offense, the Rebels won time of possession for only the second time all season.
Win big for next week: Ole Miss didn’t want to go into the Egg Bowl in two weeks with bowl-eligibility on the line. Win at Vanderbilt and that won’t happen. Ole Miss will be a favorite in Nashville and again at home against the Bulldogs.
REPORT CARD
Offense: A – The first half was sluggish. Considering Ole Miss’ offensive line issues and a true freshman taking his first SEC snap, that was forgivable. The second half was the first half the Rebels have been playing all season. Patterson was 15-of-25 after the break for 246 yards and 2 touchdowns. Ole Miss doesn’t have to change anything from Kelly to Patterson. Judd’s 100 yards on the ground made a huge difference.
Patterson set Ole Miss records for passing yards (338) and total yards (402) in a single game by a freshman. He looked like a mix of Johnny Manziel when he made plays out of nothing and Archie Manning when he found guys on the sidelines. The game saw two candidates for play of the year: Patterson’s Manziel-like run-reversal to escape tacklers and throw a touchdown and Damore’ea Stringfellow’s one-handed catch.
Defense: B – The first half was bad. Guys didn’t appear to know where to line up. Top Texas A&M weapon Christian Kirk found himself wide open for a 69-yard catch. In the second half, it was total transformation. The Rebels allowed one touchdown and got in the backfield. The Aggies couldn’t contain Brown, and the Rebels answered the bell on third downs.
Special teams: A – Gary Wunderlich had to be called on too close to the end zone too many times, but he came through with a 3-for-3 day, none bigger than the 39-yard game-winner he sneaked through the right upright.
Coaching: B – In a loss, it’s a C, maybe a D. Patterson was pulled a couple of times in the first half in the red zone. Backup Jason Pellerin fumbled one of those times and had a 3-yard run on another. It gave Patterson only one shot at a 3rd-and-7 from the A&M 8, the first red zone shot of his career. The Rebels need to dance with the quarterback who took them to the dance.
Overall: A – It was a win that turned the season around. Pulling Patterson’s redshirt proved to be the right move. Assuming Patterson doesn’t become another casualty, no matter what bowl Ole Miss ends up with, the season will end with momentum.
GAME PLAN
Cut Patterson loose. He threw 18 times in the first half but failed to find his numerous playmakers. That changed in the second half. There was a lot of unknown with a true freshman in his first start, no matter the prep talent. Patterson found some rhythm late in the half and it translated to the second half.
GAME BALLS
QB Shea Patterson: Had never taken an SEC snap and finished with 338 yards on 25-of-42 passing with two touchdowns and a pick he’ll watch film on and wish he could redo.
RB Akeem Judd: 100 yards rushing, his third 100-yard game of the season. The senior stepped up for the freshman.
DE Fadol Brown: Fighting injury all season, Brown was the disruptive force Ole Miss would like to have had each game. Brown and Marquis Haynes combined for 2.5 tackles for loss from the ends.
