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Hugh Freeze’s decision to burn Shea Patterson’s redshirt in the final three weeks of the season wasn’t about him or “validation,” the Ole Miss coach said during a Monday news conference.
It was about doing what was best for the team, Freeze said.
.@CoachHughFreeze on pulling Shea Patterson's redshirt, "I did what I knew in my heart was right for the program and for the team."
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) November 14, 2016
Hugh Freeze reiterates pulling Patterson’s redshirt was best decision for this year’s team, seniors. Said he’s not worried about validation.
— Davis Potter (@DavisEPotter) November 14, 2016
That insightful move paid off in the Rebels’ 29-28 win at No. 8 Texas A&M last Saturday, which signified the transition from the Chad Kelly era. Patterson completed 25-of-42 passes for 338 yards and a touchdown, even engineering a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter.
His performance should send a clear message to the rest of the SEC, especially considering Freeze’s revelation that Ole Miss ran the same plays over and over again in a 23-point second half.
Freeze said the #OleMiss offense basically ran four plays in the second half at A&M. They'll work to expand Patterson's playbook this week.
— Ben Garrett (@SpiritBen) November 14, 2016
Freeze’s decision to gamble on the former 5-star prospect paid off, giving the program some new life as it teetered on the edge of possibly missing a bowl.
Marcus covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
