Ad Disclosure
Lane Kiffin comments on role for seldom-used Ole Miss tailback Ulysses Bentley
Published:
Lane Kiffin reiterated his respect for Ole Miss tailback Ulysses Bentley IV following the Rebels’ loss to Florida but stated that “hard decisions” have led to his non-existent role within the offense.
With 125 snaps and 95 rushing attempts last season, Bentley was the top-graded returning running back in the SEC (per PFF). He ran for 540 yards and 4 touchdowns a season ago as the primary backup to Quinshon Judkins. While the Rebels brought in backs from the portal to replace Judkins when he left, the offseason thinking was they’d need to beat out Bentley for the top spot.
Instead, Bentley has rarely been used. Henry Parrish Jr. had the top job until a season-ending injury in the Arkansas game. Bentley logged 13 carries and 4 receptions in the Georgia game, then didn’t see a single snap on offense in the Florida game.
Against the Gators, Micah Davis, a transfer wide receiver, ran 11 times for 30 yards. JJ Pegues had the short-yardage job, but struggled to match his usual efficiency.
On Sunday, Kiffin was asked what led to Bentley’s reduced role.
“It’s nothing off the field at all. He’s a wonderful kid and does everything we ask of him,” the Ole Miss coach told reporters. “We just haven’t been real consistent and productive at that spot this year. Tried something else yesterday. Is what it is. Got a lot of respect for him, really appreciate how he’s handled the situation, but this is what happens in coaching. Everybody doesn’t play. You gotta make hard decisions.”
Bentley has double-digit touches in 2 games this season — LSU and Georgia.
Against the Tigers on Oct. 12, Bentley ran 11 times for 107 yards and a touchdown. He had 17 total touches for 66 total yards against the Bulldogs.
As Ole Miss tries to ignite a ground game that ranks outside the top 60 in EPA per rushing attempt (per Game on Paper), it’s curious that Bentley has struggled so heavily to get onto the field.
This year’s Egg Bowl takes place on Friday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. The Bulldogs (2-9, 0-7 SEC) should give Ole Miss an opportunity to gett the run game going.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
